Bay Magazine April 2023

BLOSSOMING

GULF FRONT 9TH FLR 3/3 CORNER UNIT OFFERED AT $1,650,000 Jane McCroary | 727.348.3888

VINOY GOLF COURSE MASTERPIECE OFFERED AT $2,849,000 Kathryn Krayer Zimring | 727.430.5010 Each office is independently owned and operated.

Bay’s online home has been remodeled! Please visit tampabay.com/bay to access the digital replica of Bay, view past issues, purchase copies and find other things to do.

LIFE ANEW

FROM BAY EDITOR SUSAN TAYLOR MARTIN

Spring is the most beautiful time of year in Florida. Everywhere you look trees and flowers are bursting into bloom. Signs of new life abound, from ducklings waddling across the road to doves gathering twigs and leaves for their nests.

In homage to the season, we photographed our fashions for this issue at St. Petersburg’s Sunken Gardens. This century-old botanical gem has been enjoying a fresh lease on life ever since the city bought it in 1999, saving it from the fate of so many other roadside tourist attractions. And it seems fitting that our model was Claire Bridges.

At 22, Claire is starting a new chapter of her life after surviving a near-fatal illness that cost her parts of both legs. The fashion shoots, while fun, can also be tiring, yet after several hours Claire’s energy never waned. She looked as fresh at the end of the day as she did at the beginning despite having to walk on artificial limbs. Thanks, Claire, for joining our fashion team. And thanks, too, for being such an inspiration.

Contact Susan Taylor Martin at smartin@ tampabay.com.

12 SHOPPING ▲

April showers bring May flowers, but these finds will bring the fun even without the sun.

44 TRAVEL ▲

A return visit to the Hawaiian island of Maui soothes the soul and warms the heart.

56 HOMES

Multimillion-dollar views are on full display at this 31st-floor condo in downtown St. Petersburg.

38 FACES ▲

Claire Bridges isn’t letting an illness that nearly took her life last year ruin it

26 FASHION

St. Petersburg’s historic Sunken Gardens is the perfect backdrop for lovely looks.

22 HISTORY ▲

Take a trip down memory lane as we explore Sunken Gardens through the years.

52 FOOD

16 ARTS ▲

Graphicstudio is a hidden gem of a print studio at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

Pastries and plants rule the day at Sucré Table on West Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa.

60 SOCIAL SCENE

Tampa Ba y’s leader

IN LUX URY WATC HE S

Carl F. Bucherer ScubaTec Steel

Bell & Ross Alpine

Seiko Luxe Prospex

Muhle Glashutte Terrasport German made

Meister Singer Bell Hora

Vintage Patek Philippe Calatrava

Vintage Rolex President

Ulysse Nardin Marine

EDITOR

Susan Taylor Martin smartin@tampabay.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Nikki Life nlife@tampabay.com

COPY EDITOR Dawn Cate

FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER

Brian James, brian@brianjamesgallery.com

Bay is published eight times a year by Times Publishing Co. and delivered to Tampa Bay Times subscribers in select neighborhoods in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

Copyright 2023. Vol. 16, No. 3.

Chairman & CEO Conan Gallaty

Editor & Vice President Mark Katches

Assistant Managing Editor/Features, Visuals & Production Ellen E. Clarke

Vice President of Sales & Marketing Bruce Faulmann

Marketing Director Kerry O’Reilly

National/Major Senior Advertising Manager Kelly Spamer

Pinellas Advertising Manager Jennifer Bonin

Automotive & Real Estate Advertising Manager Larry West

North Suncoast & Hillsborough Advertising Manager Jessica Petroski

Operations Manager, Prepress & Digital Production Gerald Gifford

Imaging & Production Brian Baracani, Danielle Lazaro, Gary Zolg

Regional Home Delivery Managers Diann Bates, Rob Jennings

TO ADVERTISE IN BAY MAGAZINE, CALL 800-333-7505.

TO VIEW BAY MAGAZINE ONLINE, VISIT TAMPABAY.COM/BAY.

TO PURCHASE A COPY OF BAY MAGAZINE, VISIT BIT.LY/BAYMAGAZINE OR SCAN THIS CODE.

SHOPPING

COLORFUL GEAR TO BRIGHTEN A RAINY DAY.

Kate Spade longbrim rain hat, $98. Kate Spade rain boot with clear heel, $148. Floral embellished handbag, $398. Kate Spade, 2223 N West Shore Blvd., Tampa. katespade.com.

Burberry waterresistant bucket hat, $400. Burberry neoprene and rubber rain boots, $470. Burberry, 2223 N West Shore Blvd., Tampa. us.burberry.com.

STYLING BY TIM CREAGAN

Photos by Dirk Shadd

Umbrella in a bottle, $30. The James

Dalí Disintegration umbrella, $39. Dalí Disintegration print cap, $29. The Dalí Museum Store, 1 Dalí Blvd., St. Petersburg. thedali.org.

ARTS

INDELIBLE IMPRINT

BY PEGIE STARK

In an unassuming building next to the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus, a small sign says: GRAPHICSTUDIO. Open the door, and you’ll see rooms full of prints, photos, collages and sculptures. Here, a print by Robert Rauschenberg, the late great contemporary artist. There, a photo by Robert Mapplethorpe, famed for his provocative portraits. On display, a Diana Al-Hadid sculpture.

In 2006, choreographer Trisha Brown used her feet to make “Compass,’’ a softground etching with relief roll, at Graphicstudio at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Each piece in the edition of 35 is $1,200. Photos by Will Lytch, Graphicstudio

Artist Alex Katz did this woodcut and lithograph, called “Tree 8,” in collaboration with Graphicstudio. The edition of 60 is currently in production, with price on request.

“Founding Grounds,” a cast bronze sculpture with applied patina, was made by Syrian artist Diana Al-Hadid last year at Graphicstudio. Price on request for the one-of-a-kind piece.

It quickly becomes obvious that this is not just another classroom or administrative office. It is the home of an actual “atelier,” or printmaking studio, one of the most renowned on an American university campus. This is where printers make limited editions of artworks, display them and sell them around the world.

Opened in 1968, Graphicstudio was the brainchild of Dr. Donald Saff, then dean of the College of Fine Arts. The idea: create a space where artists, printers and fabricators could collaborate on projects, share ideas and experiment with techniques. Since its inception, the studio has worked with about 100 contemporary artists — both worldrenowned and emerging on the art scene — and produced more than 1,000 limited editions and objects.

Collaboration remains the studio’s driving force. “Artists are encouraged to expand their practice and use printmaking to make art that is experimental and transgressive,” said Margaret Miller, the studio’s director since 2001.

On the credenza in Miller’s office is a small sculpture of a spider and web. It is the work of Louise Bourgeois, known for her enormous spider sculptures that soar above building fronts around the world. “Spider Home,” the piece Miller has, was among an edition of six that Bourgeois created with the Graphicstudio team in 2002. The sculptures were priced at $125,000 on their release — one recently sold for $300,000. (Miller said most artworks are available for well under $5,000 and some for a few hundred dollars.)

Rauschenberg, who lived in Florida, began working with Graphicstudio at its start. Other famous artists in its roster include Chuck Close, Judy Chicago, Roy Lichtenstein, James Rosenquist, Ed Ruscha and Kiki Smith.

Miller’s job is extensive. In addition to managing the studio, she finds the artists to collaborate with, gives presentations about collecting art, serves as director and curator of USF’s Contemporary Art Museum and also directs its Institute for Research and Public Art program. She is especially interested in getting art out into the community.

Public art — murals, interactives videos and other forms meant for public view — can “engage people in an experience who might never visit a museum,” Miller said. One example is “Florida Sunset,” a large mosaic at Tampa International Airport created by New York multimedia artist Jason Middlebrook. Although he did the mosaic independently, he has worked with Graphicstudio on other pieces.

The late Robert Rauschenberg made this three-color lithograph, “Tampa 7 (Fall),” in 1972 in an edition of 20 at Graphicstudio.

Jason Middlebrook’s “My Banyan Branch,” done in 2019 at Graphicstudio, is a screenprint and handpainting on banyan wood. The unique sculpture is $30,000. Photos by Will Lytch, Graphicstudio

Miller travels widely, visiting exhibitions, galleries and events like the Venice Biennale and Art Basel Miami Beach to look for emerging artists. She does her own research to find good candidates, and selects artists based on where they are in their careers. Can Graphicstudio help expand their practice? Can it give them the opportunity to experiment in a medium they are not used to?

Artists chosen to collaborate with the Graphicstudio team are required to be in residence at the studio for a specified period so they can work with the printers directly. This allows the artists and the team to experiment with both familiar and unfamiliar mediums. For example, an artist might want to print on a material other than paper, add objects to the prints, combine various techniques or even depart from the usual medium and try something different like sculpture.

Tom Pruitt is Graphicstudio’s master printer and studio manager. There are five other printers, all of whom are capable of not only making limited print editions, but also incorporating 3D elements into the prints. Graphicstudio is currently printing artwork by Alex Katz, who just had a retrospective exhibition at Manhattan’s Solomon R. Guggenheim

Museum. Katz, in his 90s, came to Florida to work with Pruitt’s team on two prints: “Tree 8,” a wood cut and lithograph, and “Tree 10,” both in editions of 60.

Among others who have collaborated with Graphicstudio is choreographer Trisha Brown. She used her feet to create a series called “Compass,” making footprints on copper plates from which the prints were made.

Diana Al-Hadid, a Syrian artist living in Brooklyn, recently worked with Graphicstudio to make sculptures based on the human form. The studio’s support “comes at a point in my practice in which I am eager to develop ideas I would ordinarily be unable to explore in my own studio,” she said. “The work I am creating at Graphicstudio would surely not have been possible to realize, and quite likely improbable to conceptualize, without their assistance.”

Upcoming collaborations include one with Rico Gatson, a multidisciplinary artist who sculpts, paints, draws and makes videos. “Graphicstudio has a long storied history of having worked with some

(Left) James Rosenquist, left, one of the leading proponents of the pop art movement, is shown here working with Tom Pruitt, the master printer and studio manager of Graphicstudio. Rosenquist, who died in 2017, had a studio in Hernando County. Photo courtesy of Graphicstudio. (Right) Artist Mark Thomas Gibson discusses a print with Margaret Miller, director of Graphicstudio.

of the most important artists of our times,” said Gatson, some of whose work is on view at USF’s art museum. “It’s an enormous opportunity and I’m so excited to see what we produce.’’

The studio will also be working with Superflex, a Danish collective of three artists — Jakob Fenger, Rasmus Nielsen and Bjorn Christiansen — who specialize in public and experimental art. And it hopes to get conceptual artist Tavares Strachan, who recently won a MacArthur genius grant.

Graphicstudio is subsidized by multiple sources — grants, sales,

donations, consulting fees and a few salaries paid by the College of Arts. Under a new program starting this fall, donors can get three prints in exchange for a contribution to the studio’s research mission.

BUY OR VISIT

On May 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., prints from the collection will be on display and for sale. Graphicstudio, 3702 Spectrum Blvd., No. 100, Tampa, is open to the public for tours or individual appointments. Email gsoffice@usf.edu or call 813-974-3503.

This Robert Rauschenberg print, “Pink Window,’’ was made at Graphicstudio.

THE #1 CENTURY 21 AGENT IN THE WORLD FOR THE 9th TIME!

Bayshore Blvd. NE

St. Petersburg

Brand new! A master fully integrated Spanish hacienda design with a stunning coastal contemporar y appeal! This 5-bedroom, 6 ½-bath home offers 6,050 sq.ft. of luxurious water front living area. Magnificent finishes, dazzling gourmet kitchen, spectacular outdoor dining and enter tainment, exceptional amenities and incredible water views throughout. Offered for $6,750,000.

Tierra Verde

Superbly updated with a long list of extraordinar y features and amenities, this 4-bedroom, 4 ½-bath, 6,000-sq.ft. water front estate delivers scintillating views of Shell Key, Pass-a- Grille and the open Gulf Gorgeous luxur y kitchen, large covered balconies, advanced solar power, terrific boating facilities, beautiful pool and spa. Offered for $5,995,000.

Redington Beach

Fabulous 5-bedroom, 5 ½-bath, 5,615-sq.ft. beachfront compound with private cour tyard swimming pool, separate hot tub area, game room, office and much more. 4- car garage parking and large private lot that offers immediate access to the beach. Spectacular views of the Gulf Offered for $5,350,000.

Bayou Club (GOLF & CC) – Seminole

Built by national awardwinning Windstar Homes for the company’s CEO, this stunning 5-bedroom, 5½-bath contemporar y Tuscan villa was created with an astounding level of precision and detail Towering ceilings, spectacular finishes and highly luxurious An architectural mar vel and one of the most uniquely beautiful homes in Florida. Offered for $3,495,000.

The Dania Difference – The Professional Difference – The Real Difference in Real Estate

CENTURY 21 JIM WHITE & ASSOCIATES

SOL D BY DA NIA

TAMPA BAY’ S PREMIER LUXURY AND WATERFRONT REALTOR

Dania has sold more than $1.5 Billion in Luxur y and Waterfront Homes throughout the Tampa Bay Region.

SOL D BY DA NIA

Pasadena Y & CC

– Gulfport

Luxurious water front estate located in Tampa Bay’s premier gated boating and golf community. 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths with 7,750 total sq.ft. Boasts beautifully finished living spaces and dazzling outdoor enter tainment areas Dock and boat lift provide immediate access to Boca Ciega Bay and the Gulf Offered for $3,250,000.

SO LD BY DA NIA

Bayway Isles

– St. Petersburg

SOL D BY DA NIA

Old Northeast – St. Petersburg

Gorgeous, contemporar y, hacienda-style 5-bedroom, 4-bath, 3- car garage residence with 4,793 total sq.ft. Enjoy 21-ft.-high ceilings, an elegant chef ’s kitchen and a luxurious owner ’s suite. Fabulous private cour tyard boasts a superb SS kitchen, dazzling pool and extensive lounging/enter tainment area. Offered for $2,795,000.

The essence of cosmopolitan elegance and coastal contemporar y chic, this singlelevel 4-bedroom, 3-bath, 3,846-sq.ft. residence has been meticulously updated and beautifully redesigned Spectacular indoor/outdoor living space Exceptional craftsmanship, luxurious finishes and superb amenities throughout. Offered for $2,900,000.

Lake Josephine – Odessa

Fortune 500 Executive Elegance across the sweeping, private, gated grounds of this ex traordinar y 8,386 total sq.ft., 5-bedroom, 6½-bath luxur y lakefront estate. Sumptuous gourmet kitchen, lavish owner ’s suite, towering ceilings and magnificent custom finishes Gorgeous infinity pool, elevated hot tub, brilliant outdoor kitchen, luxurious pool bath, separate guest house and so much more. Offered for $2,150,000.

Dania Perry

Independently Ranked One of Florida’s 10 Best Real Estate Agents

GARDENS DELIGHT

In the early 1900s, a plumber named George Turner Sr. bought several acres near downtown St. Petersburg, drained an ancient lake and with his wife, Eula, created a garden on the rich muck left behind. Over the years, as generations of Turners added bird shows, exotic plants and “the world’s largest gift store,” Sunken Gardens became one of Florida’s most popular tourist attractions. But attendance plunged with the opening of Disney World and other theme parks, and in 1989 the Turner family decided to sell the property. A decade later, the city of St. Petersburg bought it after residents voted to fund the purchase with a one-time property tax. Although many other roadside attractions have disappeared, Sunken Gardens has returned to its former glory and is drawing what it did at its peak — more than 160,000 visitors a year. A new sign nearly replicating the original is a symbol of the gardens’ enduring popularity.

— Susan Taylor Martin

George Turner Sr. and his wife, Eula, initially sold papayas and other fruit on the site of what would become a famous botanical garden.

Photo courtesy of Sunken Gardens

In its heyday, Sunken Gardens hosted beauty pageants and celebrity visits. It remains a popular site for weddings. Photo courtesy of Sunken Gardens

The new sign at St. Petersburg’s historic Sunken Gardens, which closely resembles the original, was installed in February. Photo by Martha Asencio-Rhine

NOW IN SEASON

We’re fully into spring, not too early to think about soft, summery dresses like those shown here at St. Petersburg’s Sunken Gardens. But days can still turn cool, making a jacket welcome for a big night out on the town. And a little black dress never goes out of style.

PHOTOS BY BRIAN JAMES

Alice + Olivia Macey butterfly blazer, $550. Sabina Musayev Kaia twotone maxi dress, $470. Neiman Marcus International Plaza, Tampa. neimanmarcus.com. Lele Sadoughi rainbow necklace, $245. Madewell satin bow earrings, $45. Marc Jacobs mesh tote bag, $275. Nordstrom International Plaza. nordstrom.com.

STAUD hyacinth crepe organza tiered maxi dress, $395. Kurt Geiger eagle crystal cocktail ring, $98. Nordstrom. Crystal chandelier earrings, $48. Tiered crystal bracelet, $54. Anthropologie, 705 S Dakota Ave., Hyde Park Village, Tampa.

Clockwise from top left: Verb by Pallavi Singhee checkered shift dress, $248. Anthropologie. Sheer gloves, $39. estsy.com. Beaded drop earrings, $21. Vintage silver ring set, $25. Francesca’s, 712 S Village Circle, Space F6, Hyde Park Village, Tampa.

Rococo Sand cotton Schiffli long dress, $798. Marie Oliver moto jacket, $299. Jackie Z Style Co., 113 Second Ave. N, St. Petersburg.

1.STATE single-button relaxed blazer, $119. Cult Gaia Sosha off-the-shoulder feather silk top, $658. Quay Australia Heartbreaker sunglasses, $75. Nordstrom. Hammered drop earrings, $30. Express International Plaza.

Minnie Rose printed tie-dye duster, $449. Jackie Z Style Co. Veronica Beard halter neck highlow dress, $498. Lele Sadoughi lily drop earrings, $195. Panacea link stretch bracelet, $30. Nordstrom. Furla Candy mini cyber yellow handbag, $208. furla.com.

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Classic shoes, $60. converse.com. bay

Farm Rio Lurex Stripes mini dress, $265. Jackie Z Style Co. Beaded teardrop earrings, $21. Francesca’s. Sterling Forever bracelet set, $75. Nordstrom.

CREATIVE TEAM

PHOTOGRAPHY

Brian James

IG: @brianjamesgallery brianjamesgallery.com

Tea Bremner, assistant IG: @tea.bremner.photography

HAIR & MAKEUP

Monique McLaughlin

IG: @moemakeup moemakeup.com

FASHION STYLING

Tina Jackson

IG: @tinajstyle Style Attic, tinajstyle.com

Zack Yunusah, assistant @zackyunu

MODEL

Claire Bridges

IG: @clurby KLA Management

Leo Lin belted tulle gown, $1,195. Neiman Marcus. Tiered earrings, $25. Francesca’s. Panacea link stretch bracelet, $30. Nordstrom.

d within

Proje ct (the “Res iden tial Unit s” ) ar e not ow ne d, develope d, or sold by Pe ndr y In tellec tual Prop er ty Holding Comp any, LLC or any of it s re sp ec ti ve af filiates (c olle ctively, “Pen dr y” ), and Pendry do es no t ma ke any repre sent ations, warrantie s or guar an ties what so ever with re sp ec t to the Re sidential Uni ts , the Projec t or any part the reo f.

TR D Ri verwalk Deve loper LLC us es the PEND RY brand name

MOVING FORWARD

BY SUSAN TAYLOR MARTIN • PHOTO BY BRIAN JAMES

The April issue of Bay marks the first time Claire Bridges has modeled for the magazine. It’s also the first time she has modeled professionally since losing parts of both legs.

Bridges nearly died last year from COVID-related complications that led to a double amputation and prosthetic legs she is still learning to use. She has had enormous support from friends and family but has also endured hate-filled attacks from people who oppose vaccines. Throughout her ordeal, the 22-yearold Lutz resident has remained remarkably even-keeled.

“I go with the flow,” she said while a stylist touched up her makeup during a recent fashion shoot. “I have my days when I grieve and get angry and upset but most of the time I know I can’t change it.”

Bridges got her start at 15 when she went to a modeling competition in Georgia. She caught the eye of Kira Alexander, who owned a modeling agency. “I think you should talk to me,” Alexander recalls telling her.

Alexander, who remains Bridges’ agent, signed her up. She did bikini billboard and web campaigns for Ron Jon Surf Shop, donned work clothes for Caterpillar ads and modeled for local boutiques. She was trying to break into the Miami market when the pandemic started, so she returned to St. Petersburg. In 2021, she went to Los Angeles but came home again late that year. By January 2022, she had fallen ill.

Although she had been vaccinated, Bridges began to suffer from body aches and fatigue. Once, she dropped to the floor and passed out. She continued to work at Grassroots, a St. Petersburg kava bar, with her brother, who grew increasingly worried about her. One day, when he couldn’t reach her by text, he contacted their mother, who rushed Bridges to Tampa General Hospital.

Doctors found that a combination of COVID and a congenital heart condition had so weakened Bridges that she developed rhabdomyolysis,

a syndrome in which muscles rapidly break down. When a procedure to relieve pressure on her swollen thighs failed, she got the news: They would need to amputate to save her life. Her first reaction: “Can I get bionic legs?” Her second: “I get that you gotta do what you got to do.”

The initial plan was to amputate both legs above the knee. Research, though, has shown that patients with above-knee amputations generally must exert more energy to walk than those with artificial limbs attached to bones below the knees. “Thankfully,” Bridges said, her legs were amputated several inches below the knee.

She had to wait a month for the stumps to heal. Then, with the help of a charitable organization in Orlando, she got her new titanium and carbon fiber legs within days from Prosthetic & Orthotics, one of the top makers of prosthetic devices.

“It felt odd just standing up,” Bridges said about the first time she tried her new limbs. “I was excited when I walked, it felt very natural, but it took a lot of energy and it was really difficult to bend my knee.” Still, in another month, she was able to do a “no pressure” shoot for a fashion magazine.

Throughout her illness and recovery, Grassroots, the kava bar, held fundraisers and put out jars for donations and notes of support. Vertical Ventures, a St. Petersburg climbing gym where Bridges was a patron, also helped out. “She’s the type of person that everyone who meets her loves her,” said her sister, Anna Brown.

Bridges said that while children have been curious, no one she has encountered in person has been rude. That’s not so on social media, where those opposed to vaccines have called her a sinner and accused her of being part of a death cult.

While getting comfortable with her new legs, Bridges has dealt with other physical issues. She had open heart surgery in December for her congenital heart condition. She has no feeling in the tips of some fingers. She lost so much weight — she went from 130 to 60 pounds — and spent so much time lying on her head in bed that all of her hair fell out. Once wavy, it has grown back in little curls.

Bridges is a student at St. Petersburg College, but is reconsidering her decision to be a marine biologist. “Maybe art school,” she said. “After everything that happened, art makes me consistently happy.” Modeling, at least part time, is still in the cards.

“I need to build back muscle and tone. Hopefully by the end of the year I’ll be back in a market somewhere.”

“

I HAVE MY DAYS WHEN I GRIEVE AND GET ANGRY AND UPSET BUT MOST OF THE TIME I KNOW I CAN’T CHANGE IT. ”

ONE Tampa’s sleek 42-story tower rises just one block from the midpoint of Tampa Riverwalk, offering an unmatched downtown location and featuring spectacular skyline and water views through floor-toceiling windows Every designer-finished residence opens to deep, gracefully curved terraces.

An impressive, multi-level amenity menu offers indoor and outdoor resort-style services overlooking water and vibrant city views that elevate every moment spent at home

LUXURY CONDOMINIUMS FROM THE MID $900,000s

PRESENTATION GALLERY NOW OPEN 100 E. Madison Street , Suite 100 | Tampa, FL 33602 813-686-7 188 | LiveONETampa.com

REGISTER TO LEARN MORE

PRESENTED BY

Artist’s Rendering

Maui magic

BY KATHY SAUNDERS

rowing up in Hawaii, I appreciated the beauty and relaxed lifestyle of the islands. I didn’t know how much I needed the rejuvenating air, the mountain views and the scent of plumeria and pikake blooms until I returned, much older, as a tourist.

I recently spent a week at the Hotel Wailea in Maui, where I sat on a porch soothed by tropical breezes, enjoying my favorite breakfast of fresh pineapple and hibiscus tea and watching whales breach in the distance. Now, these are the moments I steal when I think of my island home.

Maui is a lush destination with green mountains surrounded by the deep blue Pacific Ocean and open areas in the interior where sugarcane and pineapple farms once thrived. The geography is what gave Maui its nickname, the Valley Isle. In the 1950s and 1960s, global competition in the agriculture industry sent much of the local labor force to other, more affordable places. Maui leaders turned to tourism — like the island of Oahu, home of Honolulu, had already done — to make up that income.

At the same time, though, Maui residents wanted to preserve the island’s natural resources, especially its pristine beaches. Residents also knew they had to provide services for tourists, including hotels, roads and activities. The result was the development of several planned vacation communities, namely Kaanapali and Wailea. Both areas have world-class hotels, restaurants, golf courses and other amenities. In a way, they corral tourism to certain areas, leaving much of the island pristine.

Wailea, on the south shore, is my preferred location because it’s

Watching whales breach the tropical waters of the Pacific is a popular attraction in Maui. Photo courtesy of the Pacific Whale Foundation

The Hotel Wailea is one of the many luxurious resorts on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Photo courtesy of Brian Leahy

The Treehouse at Hotel Wailea offers a memorable dining experience. Photo courtesy of Aaron Scales

closer to the airport in Kahului (a 35-minute drive) and the Haleakala National Park and its dormant volcano. While I have made the sunrise journey to the peak of the volcano in the past, these days I prefer to explore Upcountry Maui, including Makawao and Kula where the air is cooler and the pace is slower.

Wailea is home to the Four Seasons Hotel, where the first season of HBO’s “The White Lotus” was filmed, and other pricey hotels including a Ritz-Carlton and the Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria resort. We booked the Hotel Wailea, Relais & Chateaux, a bit farther from the ocean but higher on a mountain offering especially impressive vistas, including of the Molokini Crater. (Rooms at the five-star hotel average about $1,100 a night with weekend rates upwards of $1,600. That doesn’t include meals, which also can be expensive.)

The hotel’s adults-only designation made the vacation extra peaceful without screams of “Marco Polo” at the pool and all the other activities we loved when our own kids were small. The open-air lobby and restaurants offered comfortable seating and delicious menus that were always accompanied by luscious local pineapple and papaya, among other tropical fruit.

The lava-rock paths throughout the development were easy to navigate and our oceanfront room was spacious and comfortable. Hotel staff was accommodating (Hair appointment? Check. Dining reservations? Of course) and valets with golf carts picked us up at our door for a scenic ride to the beach or other hotels. We lingered over poolside lunches — fish and pork tacos and more fruit. For me, the small-world discoveries while traveling often lead to a local connection. Our conversation with a bartender quickly revealed he used to mix drinks in Florida, Treasure Island no less.

On a couple of long walks along the Wailea Beach Path we were entertained by large sea turtles bobbing in the ocean, pods of whales splashing in the distance and outrigger canoes gliding over the waves. The path stretches 1.6 miles along the water adjacent to some of the large hotels and public beach access points.

Ah, the whales. I like to visit Maui in the winter because of them. Humpback whales migrate from Alaska between December and February to mate and have babies in the warmer, shallower water between the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai. Watching mama whales and their 2-week-old calves lurch into the air, sometimes in unison, is spectacular. Seeing them from our room was impressive, but for a closer look book a whale-watching boat tour with PacWhale EcoAdventures. It is owned by the nonprofit Pacific Whale Foundation, which says it is “dedicated to protecting the ocean through science and advocacy and inspiring environment stewardship.” (Tours depart from Ma’alaea Harbor near Wailea and Lahaina.)

We also arranged a scuba diving trip in the Molokini Crater, where certified divers can use underwater scooters to view the masses of tropical fish, eels and thriving reefs. My husband and his sister, who

made the trip, could hear the symphony of whales underwater as the big mammals called to each other.

Great food is a draw to Hawaii, and Maui offers some lovely restaurants. At Lahaina Grill we devoured the Maui onion and sesame seed crusted ahi tuna and vanilla bean jasmine rice with apple cider butter vinaigrette ($75). At the Hali’imaile General Store, I had my favorite macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi with purple, Molokai whipped sweet potatoes, tropical fruit salsa and mango-lilikoi butter sauce ($48). We sat outside at the Cafe O’Lei at the Mill House to take in the mountain views while we ate yummy lobster risotto with sweet corn and asparagus ($46).

At this former sugar plantation, I also scarfed down way too many hot malasadas for dessert. The Portuguese-inspired, sugar-coated fried dumplings are a treasured treat from my childhood.

The Mill House is a great stop for island-made “what-did-youbring-me” gifts to take home, including locally roasted coffees. I always return to the mainland with chocolates and fresh pineapples from the Maui Gold Pineapple Company as well.

Coffee, coincidentally, was the only complaint we had about the Hotel Wailea. We didn’t think the coffee served at the hotel was strong enough. But we solved that problem when we left Maui and flew to the coffee capital of Hawaii, the city of Kona on the Big Island. We found plenty of places to get that caffeine jolt there.

But that’s a pretty minor issue. After all, whales.

Ocean View Suites at Hotel Wailea provide guests with breathtaking views. Photo courtesy of Hotel Wailea

to call home.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Tampa are not owned, developed or sold by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L. L.C. Tampa Bay Oaks Condo Ph 2, LLC uses The Ritz-Carlton marks under license from The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L. L.C.

Oral representations cannot be relied upon as correc tly stating representations of the developer For correc t representations, make reference to this brochure and the documents required by sec tion 718. 503, Florida statutes, to be furnished by a developer to a buyer or lessee This Condominium is developed by Tampa Bay Oaks Condo PH 2, LLC (“ Developer ”) and this of fering is made only by the Developer ’s Prospectus for the Condominium This of fering is not direc ted to any resident of a jurisdic tion in which this of fering is prohibited by law Developer, pursuant to license or marketing agreements with each, has a right to use the trade names, marks, and logos of: The Related Group and of Marriott International, Inc., both of which are Licensors only and neither of which is the Developer. Consult the Prospectus for all terms, conditions, and unit specifications and to learn what is included with purchase. This condominium is not oceanfront; the sight line of the tower depicted is conceptual and situated with frontage along S Ysabella Ave in Tampa. This ad is summar y in nature generally depicting The Ritz-Carlton Residences , Tampa and Developer’s contemplated features and amenities, all of which is subject to change or modification by Developer. The Ritz-Carlton® is the registered trademark of Marriott International, Inc. 2022© Tampa Bay Oaks Condo Phase 2, LLC with all rights reserved The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Tampa are not owned, developed or sold by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. or it s af filiates (“ Ritz-Carlton”) Tampa Bay Oaks Condo Phase 2, LLC uses The Ritz-Carlton marks under a license from Marriott International, Inc which has not confirmed the accuracy of any of the statement s or representations made herein.

Show Mom you care

This Mother’s Day, pamper Mom with sparkling jewelry, coastal-inspired items, her own personal spa or a night at the opera.

St . Pete Op era’s Bella Vo ce Gala

Enjoy the splendors of Italy without stepping on an airplane! St. Pete Opera’s annual fundraiser is an exciting Italian-inspired gala featuring gourmet dishes, an array of specialty cocktails and wines, decadent desserts and performances from world-class artists that will have you exclaiming, “Ciao Bella Voce!” Sunday, May 7 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Coastal Creative, 2201 First Ave. S., St. Pete, FL. Go to StPeteOpera.org/gala to learn more.

Calm comfort

Spa Manufacturers has been building high-quality swim spas and hot tubs in Clearwater for over 41 years. Our large inventory of spas and hot tubs include more than 25 different designs that set the standard for quality, engineering and craftsmanship! We offer the very best spas at the very best prices! Starting at $1,995 complete with cover, free delivery and one of the best warranties in the industry! Buy factory direct from Spa Manufacturers. We’re worth the drive to Clearwater Spa Manufacturers, Inc., 6060 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater (727) 530-9493. spamanufacturers.com.

Unique treasures

Let Mom know you love her to the beach and back with a coastal gift from the Happy Flamingo Gift Shop We offer an assortment of locally crafted items in addition to unique treasures that Mom will surely love! Happy Flamingo Gift Shop, 10486 Roosevelt Blvd. N., Gateway Crossings, St. Petersburg. www.happyflamingogifts.com. (727) 914-7449 hello@happyflamingogifts.com.

Charm her heart

The Johnson-Weintraub family hand-selected this heart charm tennis bracelet which features over 10 carats of round, brilliant colorless diamonds, VS in clarity. Visit our socials @TheGoldAndDiamondSource or email VIP@GoldAndDiamond.com. Have a once-in-a-lifetime experience visiting The Gold and Diamond Source at 3800 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater

SWEET SUCCESS

BY SUSAN TAYLOR MARTIN • PHOTOS BY IVY CEBALLO

Brenda Villacorta doesn’t particularly like to eat pastries. That might sound strange, coming from someone who served as a head pastry chef at a top Manhattan restaurant, won several Food Network pastry challenges and now has her own Tampa bakery, Sucré Table, with treats like caramel banana tarts and strawberry Japanese cheesecake.

What Villacorta does like to do is make pastries. “I’m not a big pastry person,” she says, “but I get a lot of fulfillment from seeing people eat my pastries.” In addition to satisfying the growing number of fans who come into the Kennedy Boulevard store, her pastries have delighted sweets lovers at the Oxford Exchange, Tampa Bay Buccaneers VIP suites and many a catered affair.

Villacorta was just 3 when her parents moved to the Tampa Bay area from Peru, where her grandmother had a cafe that sold pastries. In Florida, her mother started a business making cakes and sugar flowers, and by the time Villacorta was a senior in high school she knew pastries would be a big part of her life, too.

She graduated from New York’s Culinary Institute of America and trained under experts including Jean-Georges and pastry chef Dominique Ansel. At Le Bernardin, a three-star Michelin restaurant long considered one of the world’s best, she was not yet 21 when she

Sucré Table owner and pastry chef Brenda Villacorta and her mother, Giovanna Castro, are shown at the Tampa bakery. Plants that Castro grows at home decorate the shop and are for sale.

managed the pastry cooks. The kitchens of high-end restaurants are notorious for their pressure-cooker atmospheres but Villacorta says she thrived. “Working at Le Bernardin, you do it or you don’t do it and you’re fired. If you’re able to pull up through that and get to a high position, you’re gold.”

After giving New York “seven years of my soul,” Villacorta returned to the Tampa Bay area. She worked for her mother, then at a small Tampa restaurant and interviewed with others. But she realized she needed to be out on her own. Although she had a business degree and a business plan, she was turned down for space at Hyde Park Village and the booming Water Street development near downtown Tampa. Sucré Table finally opened in a small shopping center in July 2000, while the pandemic was still keeping many people away from stores.

“It was the scariest thing,” she recalls. “The first week I wanted to hide under a rock. It was $200 every day and I think one day I made only $98. We don’t resell (leftover items) the next day so I was losing a lot of product and money and the hard part was educating Tampa about ingredients and why things cost a certain way.”

Business eventually picked up, so much so that in a satisfying turn of events, agents from Hyde Park and Water Street approached her about moving to one of their locations. Online reviews have been mostly rapturous. “Lavender and chocolate cake worth every calorie,” reads one. “Currently obsessed with this place,” says another.

“Best coffee I’ve had,” said customer Ramya Maddela, finishing an $8.75 white chocolate pistachio latte. “You can actually taste the real pistachios — it’s decadent. This is my favorite patisserie in town.”

Villacorta knows that some customers think her prices are high, but

says that’s because she refuses to stint on ingredients. “I use real pistachio paste and expensive chocolate. I haven’t cut the quality of my products.”

In addition to pastries, Sucré Table has macarons ($4), cakes (from $14.50), specialty drinks (from $8.25), croissants (from $7.50) and savory items like spinach Gruyere quiche ($12.50) and one of the bestsellers, a honey caramel, bacon, smoked Gouda and egg croissant sandwich ($10.50).

Villacorata says she was drawn to making pastries because of the science involved. With savory items, varying amounts of salt or spices can alter a dish for the better. “With pastries, if you add one tablespoon of salt when it’s supposed to be a teaspoon, well, you’re not coming back from that. It keeps you on your toes.”

Like other retail establishments, Sucré Table has struggled with staffing issues. An aunt helps out when she visits from Peru, and some cousins pitch in on busy weekends. Villacorta’s father cleans, and her mother, Giovanna Castro, works in the kitchen. The minimalist space is softened by ivy, staghorn ferns and even coffee plants that Castro grows at home, then sells in decorative containers in the store. “If my mom has an opportunity for business, she’s going to take it,” Villacorta says, “and it fills the bakery up.”

Sucré Table has four paid employees and is looking to fill more positions. “Business is doing really, really well, it’s just a matter of how can it grow if we don’t have the correct staff,” Villacorta says. “If you think you’re just going to decorate cookies and brownies, it’s not like that. This is like New York, it’s a let’s hustle and get things done type of environment.”

Sucré Table is at 4048 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. info@sucretable.com.

A LOFTY PERCH

BY SUSAN TAYLOR MARTIN

For nearly a decade after it was finished in 2009, Signature Place was the tallest condo tower in St. Petersburg. Although it no longer holds that distinction, its upper units still have unsurpassed views. Among them is unit 3104 on the 31st floor, now on the market for just under $3.3 million.

Looking north from the 1,500-square-foot terrace, there’s a bird’s-eye view of the St. Pete Pier, Straub Park, the Vinoy and yachts in the marina. To the south are the Sunshine Skyway bridge, the Dalí Museum, Al Lang Stadium, powerboat races and planes departing from Albert Whitted Airport. And when the St. Pete Grand Prix is held each March, 95 percent of the track is visible, making the condo an ideal spot for a race-day party.

The unusually large terrace of the 31st-floor Signature Place condo has sweeping views of the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront. Below, the St. Pete Pier and the Vinoy yacht basin are visible to the north. The condo is available for just under $3.3 million. Photos courtesy of Tony Sica

The interior of the two-bedroom, 2 ½-bathroom condo “is very nicely done with a lot of special custom upgrades,” says Liz Heinkel, the Smith & Associates listing agent. Those include a chef’s kitchen with a cobalt blue glass table, Luxe cabinetry, double ovens, a Sub-Zero refrigerator, wine refrigerator and built-in Miele coffee maker.

The great room, floored in marble, is accentuated with walnutwrapped columns with soft LED lighting and a contemporary fireplace. The owner’s retreat features an office, a spa-like bathroom and a private terrace. All owners in Signature Place, known for its seven-story waterfall, enjoy communal amenities that include a heated pool, a spa, a fitness center, outdoor grills and 24-hour staffing at the front desk.

Heinkel said the condo’s pricing was based in part on the “very livable” terrace, large enough to have three separate outdoor seating areas. “I feel like it’s priced right because we’ve had showings, which would not be the case otherwise,” she said.

In general, Heinkel has noticed that showings for luxury condos in St. Petersburg “aren’t as brisk” as they were last year although units on or near Beach Drive still garner plenty of attention on real estate websites like Zillow. “It’s unbelievable the amount of views that all the condos are getting,” she said. Sales at the higher end are still mostly in cash, and buyers typically use the condos as part-time residences.

Though many factors affect pricing, the Signature Place condo might seem like a relative bargain compared to others in the region. In February, Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and his wife Penny bought a penthouse in Tampa’s new Edition tower for $8.34 million, a record price for a bay area condo. Last July, a National Basketball Association executive paid $8 million for an Edition condo, while a penthouse in the Virage on Bayshore Boulevard sold a year earlier for $6.9 million.

In St. Petersburg, a penthouse at the Vinoy sold in July for $7.3 million, the most ever paid for a condo in the city. Currently on the market are units for $8.5 million in Ovation and $7.2 million in Parkshore Plaza. And if the 31st-floor condo in Signature isn’t quite big enough or high enough for a buyer’s taste, there’s a three-story penthouse at the very top of Signature Place — $4.95 million.

The great room of the 2,319-square-foot Signature Place condo, above, has MESH Architecture-designed columns wrapped in walnut with LED lighting. The kitchen, below, has high-end appliances including a Sub-Zero refrigerator and a wine refrigerator.

Tampa Museum of Art CITY: Fashion+Art+Culture

International designer Naeem Khan’s flower power wowed CITY: Fashion+Art+Culture with 72 ensembles at the annual benefit for Tampa Museum of Art. Co-chairpersons Courtney Kuhn and Sharmila Seth, both wearing Khan designs, greeted 500 guests nearly as gorgeous as the New York models looping past “Fleurish: The Art of Naeem Khan,” his inaugural museum art exhibition, which is on view through May 28. Sponsors and VIPs enjoyed charcuterie and Champagne indoors, seated on plush sofas and sequined pillows; everyone else perched along the mirrored runway on the moonlit terrace. Khan wound down the evening joining his fans and bartenders in silver lame boxers on the dance floor in DJ Coleman’s disco. — Amy Scherzer

This is one of the stunning flower power designs by Naeem Khan. Photo courtesy of FotoBohemia

Courtney Kuhn, left, and Sharmila Seth.

From left, Eileen and Bruce Goldenberg, Greg Tepper, Tom Matia and Rohit and Subi Sahni. Photos by Amy Scherzer

Nyla Hazratjee, left, and Nina Traviesa.

Fashions by Naeem Khan are showcased at CITY: Fashion+Art+Culture.

Waterfront pent house condom in iums ...with unparall el ed features

With only three units per building – each commanding an entire floor – The Pointe Condominiums ensure the ultimate luxury – privacy The penthouse-style, 4 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom residence offers over 3,800 sq. ft. of living space, and nearly 1,000 sq. ft. of wrap-around terrace overlooking breathtaking panoramic views of Boca Ciega Bay and the Skyway Bridge Featuring dual master baths, a whole-building gas generator, and a private, oversized 2-car garage for each unit.

Discover Marina Bay in St. Petersburg, a hidden gem tucked away on Boca Ciega Bay, where 60 acres of lush tropical landscaping, lakes with dramatic water features and abundant wildlife blend to form this vibrant community Just six minutes to downtown St Petersburg and St Pete Beach, the new Villas, Estate Homes and Pointe Condominiums on Boca Ciega redefine both luxury and resilience by building to FORTIFIEDTM - Gold standards. Visit Marina Bay, next to Eckerd College, to tour our new models.

Queen of Hearts 64th Queen of Hearts Ball

As per gracious and generous tradition, the 64th Queen of Hearts Ball crowned an outstanding “royal” and several “princesses” who devote time and talent to dozens of St. Petersburg nonprofits. Queen Rebecca Malowany was selected for her service to Infinity and Boley Angels while her philanthropic Queen’s Court earned their nominations for many other worthy causes. Between dinner, dancing and auctions Feb. 25 at the Hilton Carillon Park Hotel, gala co-chairpersons Donna Cothron and Donna Mainguth took the time to recognize the 63 previous queens and 438 former princesses, including Mary Wyatt Allen, 90, the most senior queen. As always, two beneficiary charities share all the funds raised during the event. This year it was Suncoast Voices for Children and the SPCA Tampa Bay. — Amy

Scherzer, photos courtesy of Moorman Photographics

Frank and Rebecca Malowany.

Donna Mainguth, left, and Donna Cothron.

From left, the Queen of Hearts 2023 Queen’s Court: Nancy Safford Westphal, Sheila Barry-Oliver, Kelly Lee McFrederick-Rice, Queen Rebecca Malowany, Sarah Morrow, Haviland Kebler and Alvina Miller.

Opera Tampa Carnevale, Grand Gala

Vocal virtuosity and versatility inspired an elegant Venetian Carnevale for Opera Tampa’s annual Grand Gala, an intimate dinner and concert on the Morsani Hall stage at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. Chairperson Léa Lavoie Davis and vice chairperson Kelley Cato Juneau hosted the gala, which featured performances by Opera Tampa principals Jean Carlos and Vanessa Rodriguez and the 2021 D’Angelo Competition winners to entertain nearly 200 guests, including Cato’s Carnevale Crew, a table of Juneau’s opera buff friends, many masked and costumed for a masquerade ball. Auction bids soared like a mezzo-soprano, including $10,500 for a Tuscany travel experience for four guests. Bravos resounded as nearly $100,000 was raised for Opera Tampa productions before the black-tie affair concluded with desserts and dancing in the Morsani lobby. — Amy Scherzer, photos courtesy of Marc Edwards

From left, Mary Ann and Brad Morse, Anna Bailey, Zena Lansky and Leonard and Barbara McCue.

From left, Jennifer McLean, Richard White and David and Carrie Graves.

Kelley Cato Juneau, left, and Lea Davis. Gina d’Angelo and Barry Levine.

Fl orida Cr af tAr t presen ts

Gallery Manage r Julia Collver

The Stuart Society/Museum of Fine Arts, St.

60th Diamond Anniversary Gala

Petersburg

Guests won’t forget the Champagne toast, big-band dance numbers and fond memories they shared at the Stuart Society’s “A Night to Remember,” the 60th Diamond Anniversary Gala benefit for the Museum of Fine Arts. Crooner Don Juceum started the evening off swinging in the Conservatory with Le Orchestra Fantastique, while a Marilyn Monroe look-alike primped and posed for fun photos. Stuart Society president Dawn Sumner honored the memory of the auxiliary’s mentor, Margaret Acheson Stuart, founder of the downtown St. Petersburg museum. Gala committee chairperson Shari Ellis chose black-and-white decor for the black-tie optional party, elegantly turning the Marly Room into the “Diamond Lounge” for music, drinks and dessert Feb. 11. — Amy Scherzer, photos courtesy of Elise Elsberry

Gala committee chairperson Shari Ellis leads a toast to the museum. Dawn Sumner, left, and Shari Ellis.

From left, Rita Peters, Mary Shuh, Susan Hicks and Joann Barger.

From left, Mardi Bessolo, Sandra Yang and Mary Ann Will.

Tom and Carol Treichel, left, and Mary James.

Wagner’s The Ring

Without Words

Featuring Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20

May 20 &21

PAY WHAT YOU CAN CONCERT Inside Wagner’s Ring Without Words

Michael Francis conducts

May 18

ROCK CONCERT

Beethoven x Coldplay

May 25

RAYMOND JAMES POPS

ANight at The Oscars

May 27

MichaelFrancis, Music Director

HOUGH FAMILY FOUNDATION MASTERWORKS

����� ����� piano

Michael Francis, Music Director

Steve Hackman, conductor

Related Group

Sachin & Babi Fashion Show

Buyers and prospective buyers of the new Ritz Carlton Residences were feted with Champagne, hors d’oeuvres and a plein-air fashion show at the Tampa Museum of Art. On a balmy night against a sparkling backdrop of city lights, Indianborn designers Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia showed their spring collection as models walked an outdoor runway lined with chairs arranged so that every guest had a front-row seat. The event was hosted by Related Group, the Miami-based company building the 201 residences on Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa. The company, represented at the event by its president, Jon Paul Perez, and senior vice president, Nick Perez, has been involved in several other residential projects in the Tampa Bay area. Their father, philanthropist and art collector Jorge M. Perez, recently gave a sculpture by Fernando Botero and a $1 million cash gift to the museum. — Susan Taylor Martin, photos courtesy of Related Group

Designers Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia present their spring collection at a fashion show at the Tampa Museum of Art.

From left, Bob Buckhorn, Jon Paul Perez, Nick Perez, Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia and Alison Goldberg.

MD,MACP

Forover 26 years, Dr.Zimmer has provided unparalleled carein internal medicine to thousands of patients. TheZimmer Concierge Medical Membership takes the patient experience to the next level, infusing the highest-quality carewith first-rateamenities to makeyour visits comfortable, convenient, and hassle-free.

We’rebringing back the ideaof the family doctor,and creating physician-patient relationships that areauthentic and personal. As a member,you’ll benefit from our premium services while receiving careuniquely tailored to your medical needs.

Kusakabe Kimbei, Umbrella Maker (detail), c. 1880, Albumenprint, Gift of Ludmila and Bruce Dandrew from The Ludmila Dandrew and Chitranee Drapkin Collection

KatsushikaHok usai, SouthWind, ClearDaw n (Gaif ukai se i )f romt he series Thir ty-Six Views of MountFuji Fu gaku sanjūrokkei,c.1831–33 ,Color woodblockprint,GibbesMuseu mofA rt, Read- SimmsCollection

April 19: Sixth annual Handbags & Happy Hour, which benefits the Spring of Tampa Bay. $75. 6 p.m. Bryan Glazer Family JCC, Tampa. thespring.org.

April 21: Agents of Change Gala, which benefits the Heart of Adoptions Alliance. $125. 7 p.m. The Orlo, 315 S Plant Ave., Tampa. heartofadoptionsalliance.com.

April 22: “Light Up the Night,” LAMPLighters Fund Hope. $150. 7 p.m. Bryan Glazer Family JCC. lamplighterstampa.org.

April 22: A Night for All Children, which benefits the All Children’s Hospital Foundation. $250. 6 p.m. Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club. 727-767-4199 or hopkinsallchildrens.org/giving/events/a-night-forall-children.

April 22: St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation Heroes Ball, a blacktie event. $500 and up. 6:30 p.m. Hilton Downtown Tampa. 813-872-0979 or sjhfoundation.org.

April 23: A Pair to Remember fashion show luncheon, which benefits Easterseals Florida. $225. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa. pairtampa.com.

April 27: Light the Way Soiree, which benefits Champions for Children. $100 and up. 6 p.m. Bryan Glazer Family JCC. 813-673-4646, ext. 1113, or cfctb.org/capm.

April 28: Island Paws, which benefits the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. $150. 6 p.m. Waterworks Park, 1701 N Highlands Ave., Tampa. 813-2522027.

May 5: Fabulous Females luncheon, which benefits Academy Prep of St. Petersburg. $150. 11:30 a.m. TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, St. Pete Beach. academyprep.org.

May 6: Magnolia Ball, which benefits Moffitt Cancer Center. Features Gladys Knight. $1,500 and up. 6 p.m. JW Marriott Tampa Water Street. moffitt.org/give/get-involved/magnolia.

May 13: Pride & Passion: Sabor, which benefits the Tampa Museum of Art. $115 members, $125 general admission. 8 p.m. Tampa Museum of Art. tampamuseum.org.

May 20: Storybook Ball “Encanto,” which benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities. Sponsorships $1,000 and up. 6 p.m. JW Marriott Tampa Water Street. rmhctampabay.org/storybook.

July 14: Tropical Nights XXXII, which benefits Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful. $250 and up. 7 p.m. TPepin Hospitality Centre, Tampa. keeptbb.org.

July 15: Martinis for Moffitt, which benefits cancer research initiatives at Moffitt Cancer Center. $295 general admission, $495 VIP. 7 p.m. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel Event Center, Tampa. martinisformoffitt.org.

OFFERED AT $2,599,000

A rare find with superbly detailed design in exclusive, gated Renaissance Oaks. Meticulously maintained custom-built estate home of over 6,000 sq.ft . with 6 bedrooms and 6.5 baths. Indulgent upgrades in ever y corner Premium home site, grand two-stor y layout and a luxurious backyard oasis. A richly styled home with no expense spared.

DUNEDIN WATERFRONT PARADISE

OFFERED AT $1,799,800

Luxur y waterfront living. Truly a boater’s delight located in the heart of sought-after Dunedin. Sweeping water views and luxurious coastal living with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and a long list of custom features The home’s outdoor wonderland includes a pool, huge patio and a dock boasting a 19,000-lb boatlift Deep-water canal provides direct access to the Gulf of Mexico. Live the Florida dream!