Visit the stunning permanent collection of world renowned artist Dale Chihuly’s unique artwork in a magnificent 10,000 square foot setting designed by award-winning architect Albert Alfonso. The Chihuly Collection presented by the Morean Arts Center includes Chihuly’s spectacular large-scale installations such as Ruby Red Icicle Chandelier created specifically for the Collection, along with several popular series works including Macchia and Ikebana which have thrilled audiences around the globe. And visit the Glass Studio & Hot Shop where you can watch glassblowers create one-of-a-kind pieces and purchase glass art and jewelry created by local, regional, and national artists.
400 Beach Drive St. Petersburg, FL 33701 727.896.GLASS (4527) ChihulyCollectionStPete.com Purchase your tickets in advance online at ChihulyCollectionStPete.com
Float Boat PHOTOGRAPHER: TERRY RISHEL
Get
In Full Effect:
A guide to getting the most from your VERTICAL experience
VERTICAL Tampa Bay employs an innovative page-turning user interface that delivers both a familiar reading experience to consumers of traditional print media, and a host of enhanced browsing options that are unique to the technology.We want you to get the most out of your VERTICAL experience so we’ve highlighted a few key features to help you get better acquainted with the user interface. FULL SCREEN MODE The single best way to experience VERTICAL is by using the FULL SCREEN MODE. Clicking on the FULL SCREEN icon located at the top of the viewing area allows the interface to resize the magazine to the full resolution of your computer’s monitor.You can turn pages by clicking the grab handles at the outer edges of each page or by simply clicking the left/right arrow keys on your keyboard. If you wish to jump to a certain section, you can do so by clicking on the thumbnail navigator located at the bottom of the viewer.
ZOOMING Zooming is a piece of cake. Simply click once to zoom in and once to zoom out.While zoomed in, if you move the mouse around the screen, the page will track to your movements. You can customize the zoom settings to your liking via the toolbar at the top of the viewer.
EVERYTHING IS CLICKABLE Ads and articles in VERTICAL feature live links to spas, restaurants, galleries and more.We encourage you to explore the rich content within the pages of VERTICAL and click to your heart’s content to access even more.
53,000 square feet of fun. and a gazillion ways to grow your mind.
grand oPening
saturday, sePt 25th SPECIAL HOURS NOON - 8 PM
With 170 ‘interactivities’ in 12 themed areas for kids to explore and discover, come see why the new Glazer Children’s Museum is a whole new way for kids to play – and learn a whole lot along the way.
Learn why becoming a member adds to the fun at GlazerMuseum.org/membership. Or call 813-443-FUN1 (3861) DOWNTOWN TAMPA • 110 W. Gasparilla Plaza Hours - Mon – Fri: 10am to 5pm • Sat: 10am to 6pm Sun: 1pm to 6pm
Visit GlazerMuseum.org
Let Indaba Spa be THE place SM
this year for your holiday shopping!
Open House: One for Her & One for Him We make it easy– you get all the thanks! Monday, Dec. 15, 4 – 7pm | For the Ladies:
When you purchase any gift card over $100, receive an additional gift card for spa dollars valued at 10% of that amount, plus receive 10% off total retail purchases. AND enjoy Indaba wine while you shop. Gift with purchase for all gift card sales over $150. Don’t forget to treat yourself–you deserve to be pampered too!
December Specials Sugar Plum Spice & Everything Nice Facial 50 minutes $125 Candy Cane Peppermint Massage 50 minutes $110 Chocolate-Peppermint Pedicure $58
Wednesday, Dec. 22, 4 – 7pm | For the Men:
Worried about what to get? Let us help you with your last minute holiday shopping. We know what she REALLY wants–a basket and gift card from Indaba Spa! See our complete selection of gift baskets customized to your budget. We have gift cards, too. For any gift card purchase over $100, receive an additional gift card for spa dollars valued at 10% of that amount, plus receive 10% off total retail purchases. And–gift with purchase for all gift card sales over $150.
Spa Hours: Mon – Thurs 10am – 6pm | Closed Tuesdays Fri & Sat 10am – 7pm | Sun 10am – 5pm
For gift ideas or to schedule some time for yourself, call 727.942.5258 36750 U.S. Highway 19 North, Innisbrook, FL 34684 -1239 | spaatinnisbrook.com
THEY CALLED YOU CRAZY. THEY SAID IT COULDN’T BE DONE.
Create. Motivate.
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tampa bay international plaza 813.877.5700
neimanmarcus.com
NeimaN marcus handmade candy rings, each 20.00.
Unexpected gifts, from modest to magnificent
TAMPA BAY
At our Thanksgiving table this year, James suggested we each go around and mention something non-traditional that we are thankful for.
I
loved the idea. And my answer came simply. I am grateful for my love of photography, which has taught me to observe the world differently, making life even more interesting. In my faith, the number 18 symbolizes life. So at this time of reflection, I thought it would be an interesting exercise to contemplate 18 non-traditional things I am grateful for.To my surprise, the list extends far beyond the goal—which is of course yet one more thing to be thankful for. Some items may seem sappy, while others might seem superficial but I think the point is to take the time to engage in gratitude—for whatever feeds your soul.
Photography:
BrianJamesGallery.com
חיCHAI
:
(LIFE)
01. Steamy soup, cocoa and a crackling fire on cold nights (followed by raisins & spice oatmeal on cold mornings) 02. Every chance to do good 03. Hanging out at home 04. Vacations (near and far) and treasures from our travels 05. Duke Leto (my precious pussycat) 06. The sun, moon and stars (and a chance encounter with Buzz Aldrin) 07. Time to stop and smell the roses 08. Imagination, creativity and passion 09. The guiding hand of fate 10. Picnics (or anything really) with Alan 11. Laughing with my mom 12. Friday calls with my dad 13. A soft, comfy bed to rest my head 14. Funny people 15. Snagging the outrageous jacket featured on the “Russian doll” in our “Gorgeous Dolling” fashion editorial 16. Mother Nature—with special affection for trees, flowers and birds 17. Opportunities to be expressive (through words, deeds and fashion) 18. My past, present and future And while I’m at it, I might as well click my heels and make three wishes:
01. Wishing us all an abundance of things to be thankful for 02. A precious present 03. And a very VERTICAL New Year…
STYLISH Photography by PatFoleyPhoto.com
BEAUTY FULL Photography by SusanJeffersPhotography.com
EXPOSURE
PRO PEOPLE WHO ROCK Photography by BrianJamesGallery.com Justin Cason with Tara Block, Brynna Nolte & Melissa Vogt of Benz Model & Talent Agency
Photography by Sarah Kay McDonald,
PEACE OUT
SarahKayPhotography.com
Photography by Leslie Joy Ickowitz
HABITAT Photography by Leslie Joy Ickowitz
TASTE Photography by Sean Fabian Dumanal
WANDERLUST Photography by PatFoleyPhoto.com
SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Photography by BrianJamesGallery.com
START
ON THE COVER Photographer: SusanJeffersPhotography.com Stylist: Pamela Bloomgren, MOD Productions Hair: Bill Baker Makeup Artist: Anna Muntean Model: Lauren Ashley, Benz Model & Talent Agency
ON THIS PAGE Bugatti T35 replica Photography by PatFoleyPhoto.com
BUZZ ON VERTICAL Illustration by Justin Kingsley Noyes, The Hive Creations, TheHiveStore.com
Magical Journeys By Adventure Pro Travel
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STELLAR work! Candice Mutschler
It is nothing short of EXQUISITE MJ Clifton
Thank you for bringing such BEAUTY to our screens and our area Heather Kendall
I LOVE the design of VERTICAL. It's GORGEOUS and visually STUNNING; a very SEDUCTIVE design—well done. Pratibha Parmar
The mag looks unbelievably beautiful and I definitely “FELL IN LOVE” Brandi Kamenar
Photography: Stylist: Makeup Hair:
SusanJeffersPhotography.com Pamela Bloomgren, MOD Productions Anna Muntean Bill Baker
Publisher & Editor In Chief Leslie Joy Ickowitz
Creative Director Leslie Joy Ickowitz
Art Director James Burgos, BoulevardCreative.com
ASSISTANTs TO THE PUBLISHER Natalia Galbetti ✵ Jaclyn Lambert
Contributing Writers Bill Baker ✵ Marcia Biggs ✵ James Burgos ✵ Natalia Galbetti Jessica A. Harmon ✵ Casey Brook McPhee ✵ Kelly Seeley ✵ Janan Talafer
Contributing Photographers www.BrianJamesGallery.com ✵ www. Kismisink.com www.LeslieJoyOriginal.com ✵ www.PapergirlPressPhoto.com ✵ www.PatFoleyPhoto.com Sean Fabian Dumanal ✵ www.SusanJeffersPhotography.com
Illustrator Justin Kingsley Noyes, The Hive Creations, www.TheHiveStore.com
Proofreading Swathi Reddy VERTICAL™ is a community magazine and we welcome your participation. Letters to the Editor, inquiries and nominations for Social Butterfly and Pro may be sent to: info@verticaltampabay.com. For advertising and other inquiries, please call 813.382.4387 or email: info@VerticalTampaBay.com.To enjoy a complimentary subscription toVERTICAL™ delivered via email, visit:VerticalTampaBay.com. Copyright 2010/2011 VERTICAL™ Tampa Bay. All rights reserved. Reproduction, either in whole or in part, is forbidden without written permission from the publisher. Articles and advertisements published in VERTICAL™ Tampa Bay do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher.VERTICAL™ Tampa Bay assumes no liability for the content and shall not be held liable for any errors or omissions. No responsibility can be assumed for unsolicited materials. All letters and press releases sent to VERTICAL™ Tampa Bay may be unconditionally assigned for publication and are subject to VERTICAL™ Tampa Bay’s editorial comment.VERTICAL™ Tampa Bay is not to be held liable for the quality or performance of goods or services rendered by the advertisers in this publication.
STYLISH
Ring in the New Year With Sparkle & Substance
Story by Jessica A. Harmon ❧ Photography by PatFoleyPhoto.com
Once upon a time, two sisters shared a dream of bringing to life the goddess that lies within us all.
S
he could not be awakened by any simple, ordinary piece of jewelry. This woman is excited by the bold and gaudy, yet still must convey great elegance at all times. From this marriage of exceptional qualities, Gaudess was born. Owner and designer Amy Walko took the reins from her sister Michelle in 2008. Though the vision may have changed, the core inspiration remains the same: Gaudess. Each and every exquisite piece, though beautifully unique, contains the stunning Carnelian or “power stone” engraved with the Gaudess insignia. This semi-precious gem is said to inspire positivity, courage and confidence, stimulate creativity and protect against envy. While Gaudess is currently in the midst of a re-birth with so many incredible ideas and changes still to come, the brand already has an impressive clientele. Gaudess rings have sparkled on the hands
of Shakira, been utilized for MTV’s Video Music Awards, and sold in several high-end boutiques and department stores throughout L.A. and New York, including Henri Bendel. For a brand to catch the eye of such high profile clients, there must always be great passion and creativity. With a background in fashion and interior design, Amy Walko certainly has the creative mind to take Gaudess to the next level. What inspires her is quite simply her own impeccable taste. “If I see a woman walking down the street with a really cool outfit that I’m drawn to, I will design a ring to go with that outfit. I am inspired by things that I want and need, things I would love to have.” Preparing the world for the new Gaudess line is no quick process. As Amy explains, “I am very meticulous. I am not just sitting at a bench making jewelry.” Each sketch is scanned into a computeraided design (CAD) program, to create a detailed
mold which can be tested and adjusted, if necessary. Through this process, Amy has proven her mettle not only as a great designer, but as an innovator as well. Realizing the diďŹƒculty in weaving and sculpting these magnificent gems, Amy developed a solid gold band to serve as the foundation for each Gaudess ring. The new Gaudess collections will first be available for sale in high-end boutiques and department stores, and then online.The initial line will feature gold and precious stones, while a second will offer lower price
points with crystal and sterling silver pieces. While the rings alone are sure to dazzle and entrance the bold and fashion forward worldwide, Amy will not stop there. With her passion for accessories, the Gaudess collection will also include bangles, earrings and leather cuffs. Limited edition and custom bridal pieces will also be available to those in search of something truly special. With New Year’s Eve and 2011 on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to display some bold, shining confidence. Glow with Gaudess. www.gaudess.com
Photography:
SusanJeffersPhotography.com
o u e s g r o
g D o lli n g
Photography: SusanJeffersPhotography.com Stylist: Pamela Bloomgren, MOD Productions Hair: Bill Baker Makeup: Anna Muntean Model: Lauren Ashley, Benz Model & Talent Agency Wardrobe: La France Rings: Gaudess
Fashion Week
TAMPA BAY highlights and haute hotness from the runway Photography by BrianJamesGallery.com
It’s no secret that VERTICAL has a love affair with local designer k.hendrix who rocked the runway at 2010’s Fashion Week Tampa Bay with style and sparkle. These pictures represent some of our other favorite fierce runway moments, brought to you by designers Nina Verklas (Bambina by NV) and Audrey “Pat” McGhee.
Design by Audrey "Pat" McGhee
FASHION STYLING & MAKEUP ARTISTRY BY PAMELA BLOOMGREN & NELDA CORBETT
MOD FASHION HEADSHOTS WEDDINGS LIFESTYLE COMPOSITES
PRODUCTIONS 727.458.4143
BEAUTY FULL
Lash Dramatic Luxe and Lovely
Story by Kelly Seeley ❧ Photography by SusanJeffersPhotography.com
They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. So if you’re going to bare your soul, why not look hot while doing so?
3
Spots to get Lash ~ tastic!!!
1. SERENBE DAY SPA SERENBEDAYSPA.COM 2. ANGELICA BEAUTY & WAXING @ PALM WELLNESS ANGELICABEAUTYANDWAXING.COM 3. PIA’S SOUTH TAMPA PIASPA.COM
L
ong luxurious lashes are always glamorous.Take a look at the runways, in movies and magazines. We no longer see the falsies of the 1960’s but rather a more sophisticated, grown-up version. There are three modern ways to achieve dramatic lashes—eyelash extensions, prescription products and natural extenders. Eyelash extensions are a fun and semi-permanent way to achieve luxe-dom. The lashes are applied by a trained professional in a salon setting and are attached to your natural lash line with a pharmaceutical-grade adhesive either individually or in flares.The product itself comes in either a synthetic form, which responds better to wear and tear, or mink, which is said to be better for sensitive eyes. The process takes anywhere from 90 minutes to two and a half hours, and costs around $200 for a full set.Touch ups are required every 2-4 weeks depending on the life cycle of your own natural lashes and average about $75. Looking for even more oomph? Try blending brilliantly colored lashes such as blue, green, violet, purple or red. Or you can try feathers or crystals along the lash line! Whether you’re going for a cat eye, full and short, or luxurious and long, you are sure to achieve a new look with this service. Another way to achieve elegant lashes is with a prescription product, bimatoprost ophthalmic
solution. A familiar brand name for this is Latisse. It is a solution that is applied to the lash line every night.Visible results start occurring around week eight with maximum results typically by week 16. The product makes the lashes fuller, longer and darker. It costs around $120 for a one-month supply and continuous use of the product will help to maintain results. It’s important to be monitored by the physician who prescribed the product as there may be risk of possible side effects. For those who already love their lash look, enhance your beautiful lashes with an extender product like Divaderme. This all-natural treatment incorporates Italian clay terra powders to help deliver longer, fuller, thicker looking lashes in seconds. Simply apply in between coats of your favorite mascara. Whether you’re looking to enhance your natural beauty or go all out with something wild and wicked, just go for it—open those windows and bare your beautiful soul. Wink wink. Kelly Seeley is co-founder of spa50.com, the authority on Tampa Bay area day spas and online resource for spa owners and spa-going consumers. Visit spa50.com for more information.
Beauty full View tips from tampa bay’s celebrity hair stylist on the loose Story by Bill Baker ❧ Photography by SusanJeffersPhotography.com BLEACHED BROWS Your first reaction might be one of shock, or denial, or disgust but acceptance might be a better direction to take in the world of fashion. Just as designers show the extremes on the runway, any new trend in fashion may be taken to new heights just to get your attention. You probably won’t see bleached brows on the streets in Tampa, Clearwater or St. Pete. Orlando? Hmmm…probably not, but Miami, probably yes, and N.Y. and L.A., definitely! The Tampa Bay area, as hard as we try, still takes a very conservative, very safe approach to change. We tend to eye it suspiciously at first as if to say,“I’ll never wear that!” Never say never. It is definitely a big city look, but all it takes is a big city attitude to pull it off. Kevin Aucoin, who in my opinion is the world’s greatest makeup artist of all time, was a strong advocate of the lightened brow and used it repeatedly. It was one of his favorite makeup secrets and surprisingly. it went unnoticed. Lara Stone, New York’s hottest new model, began bleaching her brows four years ago.This PYT is still better known for the gap between her teeth and her kittenish Brigitte Bardot look, than the fact that she has white eyebrows. Even though you will most often see the bleached brow on a blonde, an ultra-daring brunette can use this look too. I would, however, suggest really, really strong eye makeup.The lightened brow brings all the emphasis to the eye. PURE PLATINUM If you’ve ever wanted to try it, do it now. But be forewarned, you will not go unnoticed. It is retro, it is glamorous, and it is hot! This is not something
I would recommend you try at home. It needs to be done professionally and it can get to be as expensive as it looks. When using such a high-lift color technique, it is essential that it be done correctly because breakage can occur. Because of the chance of damage to the hair, I personally would recommend this more for short hair than long. Can it be done on long hair? Of course, but make sure the colorist you choose is top-notch. This is not a style for the faint of heart, but if you have the nerve (and the money), I say go for it! HOMBRE HAIRCOLOR Probably as a sign of the times, just as punk was used in Great Britain, bad haircolor can be fashionable (or at least given a name).The look is dark roots and light ends. It’s best on long hair with the darker shade about half the length of the hairshaft with a gradual lightening to pale blonde ends. It gives an overall beachy look of summery, outdoorsy hair. For the low maintenance girl, this might be the style for you. The way out of this, when and if you change your mind (and you will), is to highlight the dark hair or darken the ends. As you can probably tell this is not one of my favorite new trends, but it is my goal to keep you informed. My advice…stay VERTICAL! While attending art school, Bill Baker saw the movie “Shampoo” starring Warren Beatty. It was then that he decided, like Warren, to surround himself with beautiful women. He feels lucky to have accomplished his goal in the beauty industry and hopes some of his observations and opinions prove to be helpful. Contact Bill with questions or comments at: info@verticaltampabay.com or www.Billbakerhair.com.
Annie Agarwal Photography Presents thedream
CALENDAR
beneďŹ tting Clouds of Hope
Help build universally designed playgrounds for local children impacted by life altering illnesses and disorders by purchasing A Dream Calendar. 100 % proceeds go to Clouds of Hope, a 501(c)3 organization. Learn more at www.thedreamcalendar.com
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EXPOSURE
THE
X
FACTOR
Singer/songwriter Geri X moves Tampa Bay’s music scene with a soulful voice and passionate lyrics Story by Natalia Galbetti ❧ Photography by SarahKayPhotography.com
G
eri X is indefinable. From her quizzical stage name to her unique and mellow sound, this singer/songwriter is a selfprofessed work in progress still trying to find out exactly who she is and giving audiences a front row seat to her journey. “My songs are about personal experiences,” explains Geri X about her lyrics. “I’m constantly changing from day to day and I’m an open book. I don’t hold back.“ Geri’s honesty is clear in the words and reinforced through her performance. Each song plays out like an emotional conversation narrated by Geri and her guitar while the audience listens in, moved by each note. “My focus has always been therapy through my music,” she says in explaining how she first found an outlet to deal with her problems as a teenager. “I would skip class and hide under the stairwell and write songs.” It wasn’t long until the Bulgarian native took her act from hidden spots to the spotlight and got others to notice her talent, performing seven nights a week, sometimes twice a night and being the opening act for any band that would have her in the Tampa Bay area. “I made sure people couldn’t go anywhere without seeing my face, hearing my voice and knowing who I was,” Geri tells of her first few years as a singer trying to start her career.“I slaved myself in order to make a name for myself.” Nine records later, that name is not only known but respected in the local music scene with Geri headlining and packing venues like Jannus Landing, The Local 662 and Fly Bar, although years of multi-tasking as performer, publicist and manager took a toll on Geri’s strongest passion—her music. “I’d forgotten what it’s like to be a songwriter because I became a business woman,” she says of her last few albums. “It feels good after five years to go back and get wrapped up in it again.” With a new band and new acoustic record released in November, Geri has dived fully into writing a new chapter of her life and career, literally. Her fingers rough and nails cracked and broken from the picks and strings, a true rock star trait adding to her long dark hair with bright green highlights and tattoos scattered around her body, each symbolizing, like her lyrics, a little part of her life in art form. www.gerixmusic.com
Feast your Eyes
From the fantastical to the seemingly magical, and from the seductive to the imaginative, inspiration awaits at three local art festivals this January.
F Giraffe by Sculptor Fredrick Prescott
east your eyes on an impressive showing of paintings, sculptures, photography, glass, wood, jewelry, collage, and ceramics. The shows feature a full spectrum of craft art mediums including folk art, pottery, personalized gifts, handmade clothing, scented soaps and body products. All three events are free to the public.Visit www.artfestival.com for more information and to confirm dates, times & locations.
Saturday & Sunday, January 8th & 9th 10am-5pm 14TH ANNUAL DOWNTOWN DUNEDIN ART FESTIVAL DUNEDIN | 271 MAIN STREET
Annette Kapfer, Jewelry Designer—St. Pete Beach. Kapfer Glass Studio www.kapferglassstudio.com
A wide variety of unique and affordable handmade crafts will be on display and for sale during the 14th Annual Downtown Dunedin Craft Festival featuring 150 of the nation’s most talented crafters.
Saturday & Sunday, January 29th & 30th from 10am-5pm 17TH ANNUAL ST. PETE BEACH COREY AREA ART & CRAFT FESTIVAL | ST. PETE BEACH | 595 COREY AVENUE This fine arts and craft show transforms Corey Avenue in downtown St. Pete Beach into a first rate outdoor craft showcase with an eclectic variety of original art.
Saturday & Sunday, January 29th & 30th from 10am-5pm 8TH ANNUAL ST. ARMANDS CIRCLE ART FESTIVAL 411 ST. ARMANDS CIRCLE St. Armands Circle Art Festival is consistently ranked among the top art shows in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine and draws locals and tourists alike for the variety of fine artwork on display.
Comets Tail by awardwinning glass sculptor Terry Andrews
Mark Your Calendars For The 2011 DeBartolo Family Foundation Gala! FOREVER HOLLYWOOD The Eighth All Star Charity Gala is set for March 4, 2011. Check back to our website for more information, or if you can’t wait and would like to attend or learn more about sponsorship packages, please contact Jackie Baca or Stephanie Hernandez at 813.964.8302 or email at jbaca@debartoloholdings.com or shernandez@debartoloholdings.com.
Current Celebrities Attending: Wade Boggs Seymour Cassel Dwight Clark Randy Cross Brad Culpepper Steve DeBerg Floyd Little Gary Puckett Shelton Quarles
Current Sponsors:
Candy & Eddie DeBartolo Gries Investment Funds Kolaj Family Jean & Jim Palermo Neal & Harwell, LLC
The Magic of the Season Experience the Holidays at Innisbrook
®
NEW YEAR’S EVE/40 TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION December 31st, 2010, 7pm
Be here for the biggest event of the season: celebrate the New Year as Innisbrook turns 40 and plan on celebrating all night with a private fireworks show at midnight! Tickets: $129* per couple | Members special discount $80* per couple. (Ticket price includes reception, dinner, entertainment, private fireworks show, party favors and champagne toast. Alcoholic beverages not included.)
Attire: Evening wear; jackets required for gentlemen.
Kids, come party at Camp Innisbrook for New Year’s Eve!
Fun activities include noisemakers, party hats, bracelets, pizza and supervised fireworks viewing! We’ll toast juice boxes as we countdown to 2011! $45, plus tax for the first 4 hours, $10/each additional hour, 10% second child discount
Let us drive you “home” to a comfortable Executive Suite for an overnight stay. Suite rates start at $99. For reservations, call 727.942.2000 (mention code: Vertical) Start the New Year with savings: 15% off breakfast the next morning.
Innisbrook “Fun Run” – Start your New Year off right with a fun run/walk through beautiful Innisbrook with the recreation team. Meet in the Osprey Lobby at 8am on Sunday, January 2nd to take advantage of the natural, breathtaking outdoors. Full schedules & menu available at innisbrookgolfresort.com
36750 U.S. Highway 19 North, Innisbrook, FL 34684 -1239 | visitinnisbrook.com | 727.942.2000 *plus tax & gratuity.
HABITAT
Deck the Walls With Appealing Textures
Specialty and Exclusive Contract Wall Coverings by Eykon
T
By Jessica A. Harmon
here was a time when I thought the idea of decorating a wall meant hanging a pretty picture. That was before I gazed in astonishment at a photo of a stylish purple fern pattern balanced beautifully with rich, dark wood and an exciting accent color. It was a first glance into the exciting realm of endless possibilities available in wall coverings. Interior designer Kay Newsom, president of Bella Southern Interiors in Safety Harbor (www. BellaSouthern.com), specializes in unique and interesting design details and offers exciting tips for creating exquisite spaces. “Textured wall coverings in myriad patterns from swirled and pebbled, to flocked and woven designs add instant character while allowing you to create a room background or focal point upon which to translate your unique design personality,” Kay explains. For those in search of something fresh and new, Kay informs us that,“good design repeats and reinterprets itself as time goes by. Everything vintage is new again and in such an over the top, sexy and fun way.” From whimsical and wild to serene and subdued, choose a pattern to reflect your style and individuality. As with many art forms, Kay says, “these fabulous new wall coverings take inspiration from the colors and styles found on the fashion runways, in the textile industry, leather goods, tile motifs or anywhere you find fun creative artistic expression. They are the new ‘it’ item in design this year after
many years of near extinction.” To create your perfect space, first find your own inspiration. Grab a fashion magazine, go for a moonlit walk or visit an art gallery. Let us pretend you have fallen in love with a fabulous painting. Perhaps there is one tiny purple flower that has captured your attention.A beautifully designed haven can easily be born from one simple idea.Texture a wall with colors from your inspiration piece. Never be afraid of going too bold, for true beauty is in your eye. From this point, add some fabulous furniture to accessorize. For the bedroom, a chic dresser adorned with contrast paint will do quite nicely. Get creative and bring in accent pieces you absolutely adore. Soon enough, excitement will take over, creating an experience of pure joy. Do not let another year pass without knowing the pleasure of a superbly styled room. Begin your home design journey with a textured wall, vibrant with color and energy. I think you will find the destination to be quite spectacular.
PATRICK FOLEY PHOTOGRAPHY
410.991.7650 WWW.PATFOLEYPHOTO.COM
www.mote.org
1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, Florida 34236
Open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 365 Days A Year
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TASTE
THE STEAMY ISSUE
Souper Delicious Hot Spots for Soup
Story by Janan Talafer ❧ Photography by Sean Fabian Dumanal
When the weather turns brisk and a cool crispness fills the air, Floridians trade flip flops and tees for sweatshirts and socks, light the fireplace and begin dreaming of nourishing, hearty food like a simmering bowl of soup. What do we love so much about soup? “It’s primal and soul-satisfying,” says Judy Staunko of Spice Routes in St. Petersburg. “It’s the first thing mom gives you when you’re sick,” says Ilya Goldberg, of The Stone Soup Company in Ybor City. Soup is all of that and more—a soothing food to turn to or simply a delight. Hot, cold, spicy, mild, creamy, chowders, gumbos, broths, bisques, chili’s and stews—soup comes in all flavors and styles; as creative and complex or as simple as you want. Here are some great places in Tampa Bay to satisfy your craving for soup this winter.
WOODY’S, SOUTH TAMPA — Danielle Ward is in charge now, but she took over from her father,Woody Gilbert, who opened Woody’s in 1972.This small family owned restaurant is one of those out-of-the-way landmarks where everything is fresh and flavorful, especially the homemade soup.Their motto is “not frozen, not canned, no preservatives, not even close.” Even the herbs used to flavor the soups are organic. Woody’s Soup Collection is extensive, ranging from standards like Classic Chicken Noodle to the exotic Pagoda made with butternut squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, cilantro, tomatoes and cabbage, and Country Greek with tomatoes, fresh garlic, dry sherry, spices and feta. www.woodysofsouthtampa.com SPICE ROUTES, ST. PETERSBURG — Soups are a specialty at Spice Routes, which has a commitment to global soul food— “those things that taste of home to people from all over the world,” says Judy Staunko, who is also a co-founder of St. Petersburg’s Saturday Morning Market. Her Mayan Pumpkin and Corn Soup marries chicken broth, cream, coconut milk, pumpkin, corn, honey, turmeric and a touch of habanero peppers for a bit of kick. The down home Chicken and Dumplings is popular, too, and so is Judy’s Dad’s favorite—Green Bean, Ham and Potato, a very thick and homey soup, made with “potlikker” the liquid that remains at the bottom after cooking down the vegetables and meat. “Every culture has always put together whatever is plentiful to make soups and stews that are comforting and yummy,” she says. www.spiceroutes.com THE STONE SOUP COMPANY, YBOR CITY — Ilya Goldberg has been cooking for as long as he can remember, but he says his inspiration for his restaurant came from the hilarious Seinfeld episode “The Soup Nazi.” Ilya’s love for sauces, soups and good food are showcased at this small,Ybor gem. Some of his most sought-after soups include the creamy Lobster Bisque, which is more like a chowder with a hearty base that includes lobster, crawfish and shrimp;Thai Chicken Laksa made with a spicy coconut and green curry-based broth and chicken; and Steak and Potato Soup with mushrooms, slowly cooked beef steak and vegetables. In a salute to Ilya’s native Belarus, the menu also includes KGB Borscht, the classic Russian beet soup. Stone Soup has a philanthropic side—regular donations of soup are made to local charities. www.stonesoupco.com ELLA’S AMERICAN FOLK ART CAFÉ, SEMINOLE HEIGHTS — It’s not surprising that Executive Chef Suzanne’s Curried Apple and Carrot Bisque has been on the menu from day one at this quaint Seminole cafe. Just a listing of the ingredients—sautéed carrots, Dijon mustard, fresh ginger, house-made vegetable stock, heavy whipping cream, brown sugar, Indian curry powder, Granny Smith apples, onions and seasonings—is enough to set your imagination on fire. Other popular soups, says Suzanne, include her Parmesan Cream Broth, which is topped with organic watercress and Tomato Bisque made with fresh basil and marjoram, gorgonzola cheese and a garlic crostini. For a little extra heat try the Pollo Diablo, a blend of chicken, tequila and black beans in a spicy broth. www.ellasfolkartcafe.com B&G’S SOUP STOP, SARASOTA — Brent and Esther Williams offer at least nine soups every day at B&G’s Soup Stop, a unique concept they opened two years ago as an extension of their Gordon’s Catering business. “This is the place for soup,” says Brent, who makes everything fresh and buys local produce. The Soup Stop is primarily take-out with just a handful of tables. In addition to old stand-bys like American Lentil, Split Pea and Ham and Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken and Corn, Brent’s creativity can be seen in his Cream of Five Onion, in which he combines scallions, leeks, shallots and both red and white onions in a rich, creamy broth, garnished with crumbled French’s fried onions. OOH. Another must try is the creamy Seafood Chowder with scallops and rock shrimp. www.sarasotasoupstop.com
SAVANNAH’S, DOWNTOWN ST. PETERSBURG — “A lot of people say the chef is portrayed in the soup,” says Savannah’s Executive Chef Sal. “It gives us the chance to be creative.” The soup at Savannah’s is a collaboration of everyone in the kitchen, says Sal. And that gives them a chance to use up everything on hand so there is no waste. Savannah’s theme is refined Southern but the soups are international, such as Caribbean Roasted Chicken with Jamaican jerk, allspice, chili peppers, ginger, garlic, mango puree, chicken stock and chunks of chicken—an intriguing blend of sweetness and spice. A seasonal favorite is the Sweet Potato and Apple with pureed sweet potatoes and Granny Smith apples, chicken stock, garlic and onions, a little bit of cinnamon and a dollop of sour cream on top. www.savannahsstpete.com FRESH, DOWNTOWN TAMPA — Right in the heart of downtown Tampa on Franklin Street, a terrific new restaurant has opened with a distinctive menu that includes a cereal bar, salad bar, Panini press and soup kettle. It’s a very trendy, cool place to hang out for everyone from business professionals to tourists and ladies who lunch.The soup stocks are made fresh and the menu changes daily. At the first hint of a chill in the air, soup lovers were delighted to find a selection of hearty favorites:Tomato Bisque, Lobster Bisque, Italian Wedding Soup made with tiny meatballs, spinach, carrots and pasta in a delicious broth served with parmesan cheese, and the wonderfully named “Day After Thanksgiving” Chowder, which combines turkey, carrots, mushrooms and celery in a turkey broth. www.eatfreshdaily.com FRENCHY’S, CLEARWATER BEACH — This is the quintessential beach restaurant—the perfect casual hang out to meet with friends for rum drinks, sunsets and fried seafood. There are four locations, all a short drive from each other: Frenchy’s Original, Rockaway Grill, Saltwater Café and South Beach, and all within the Clearwater Beach area. There is only one soup on the menu and it’s a long-standing tradition. No, it’s not the typical New England Clam Chowder—rather She Crab Soup is the star here, made rich and creamy and swimming with crab meat. It’s a specialty of the South Carolina low country, a Charleston delicacy said to be the improvisation of a Mr. Deas, who “dressed up” a local specialty in preparation for a visit from President Howard Taft.That was in 1912 and the soup has been popular ever since. www.frenchysonline.com
Kenyan
Gold Coffee and conversation By The snows of Kilimanjaro Story by James Burgos ❧ Photography by Papergirl Press
For Tampa natives, transplants and snowbirds alike, a typical winter day in Florida might easily include a barefoot stroll over white sands at a number of our pristine beaches. Yes, the weather at this time of year is legendary, if not predictable. Though on occasion, and sprinkled throughout the season, we are prone to experience a cold snap every now and again. So, on those special thin-blooded days when flip-flops simply will not do, it’s nice to know that Patrick and Rose Waruinge, owners of Café Kili, are at the ready with a bevy of hot beverages accompanied by warm smiles that will surely raise your temperature back to sub-tropical norms. Named after Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Café Kili is a mainstay of the Temple Terrace and USF communities. Their coffee is roasted in-house. Their raw beans
are imported from Kenya, Tanzania, Sumatra, Costa Starbucks. She recalls saying to herself, “I think I Rica, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala and Brazil.You know more about coffee than most people. I think haven’t tasted coffee as rich and flavorful until you’ve I can try and start a coffee shop.” Since she only experienced the taste of a bean that has been brewed knew how to grow and sell the raw coffee beans, within a few days from the time it was roasted. she had to learn the art of roasting coffee. She All of the usual varieties that discerning coffee and Patrick bought a roaster and spent a couple drinkers are accustomed to can be found on the of years perfecting their roasting methods. If you Café Kili menu. My personal favorite happens come to the café on a Saturday afternoon you to be the Café Mocha. At the mainstream coffee might find Patrick roasting the beans that will be shops, I’m normally a large quad-shot kind of sold for that week. guy, but let me warn you right now, the brew at Because they roast their beans in-house, Cafe´Kili Café Kili’s is of such a high grade that it makes is able to offer better prices for their coffee than corporate coffee seem like the corporate shops. Once a watered down Prohibitionmonth they have coffee tastera hooch served at a speakings. It’s a great opportunity easy. So, if you’re like me, to sample different blends. you might want to dial it They value their customers’ back a couple of shots—I’m opinions and feedback. And just saying. like any good mom and pop One would be hard shop, you can be certain that pressed to find a barista Rose and Patrick know the in the Bay area with the names and drinks of all their intimate knowledge of regular customers. the “sacred bean” as Rose If the coffee alone weren't Waruinge—her passion for reason enough to patron~ Patrick Waruinge coffee runs deep.“Rose can ize Café Kili frequently, the taste a bean and tell if it is decor will surely draw you an African bean or tell you in for an extended stay. Rose where it is from,”, says her single-handedly designed husband Patrick. She was raised on a coffee plantathe interior around the textures and colors of tion in the central province of Nyeri, Kenya. Along Africa. Real bamboo trim, comfortable seating, free with her ten siblings, she learned to cultivate raw wi-fi and warm lighting create a welcome atmocoffee beans that would, in turn, be sold exclusively sphere spacious enough to be suitable for group to the Kenyan government.“Growing coffee was a meetings, first dates, poetry readings, studying and family operation,”, says Rose.“Our father could not even live music. If you really want an idea of what afford to hire workers so he used us [his children] I'm talking about, the photograph and colors used as laborers to care for the coffee plants, pick the in this article's layout were shot on location. ripe cherries, and deliver them to the factory. He Café Kili's location in Temple Terrace is on paid for our education in this way.” Fowler Avenue right off the corner of 56th Street “Kenyan Gold”, as coffee is commonly known behind the Applebee's. If you don't make it up to in Kenya, is one of the country’s top cash crops. It is Temple Terrace very often, consider coming for grown on family-owned plantations, but the prices a bag or two of “Kenyan Gold” (their premium are fixed and regulated by the government. Ironically, house blend which they sell by the pound) to take according to Patrick,“Coffee growers are not allowed home. I'm certain that after an initial taste, you'll to process for consumption the beans grown on their find a reason to come back again, and again. own farms; its an export-only industry.” The idea to open her own coffee shop came to Rose after she observed the wild success of
“Rose can taste a bean and tell if it is an African bean or tell you where it is from.”
Learn more about Café Kili by visiting the website at CafeKili.com. You can also find them on facebook.com/ CafeKili.
SOUPAMAN A Man Named Ilya Dishes Out a Difference
Story by Natalia Galbetti ❧ Photography by www.KismisInk.com
There’s an old children’s story that tells of three soldiers who started making a soup out of stones and water and ended up feeding an entire village as everyone shared their ingredients. Today, a Tampa restaurant owner is trying to do the same. “From the beginning we wanted to measure our success by how much soup we gave away,” explains Ilya Ben Goldberg, owner of The Stone Soup Company and creator of the “2” campaign. “Every week we try to match the amount of soup we sell with the amount we give away.” The philanthropic idea came about as Ilya did research before opening the restaurant in Ybor City. An engineer by training and a rookie chef by trade, Ilya visited a number of restaurants to learn more about the business. That was when he learned, much to his dismay, that most food came from a can or a box and roughly 30 percent of ingredients were thrown out. At that point, he knew his restaurant needed to be different. “When you think of when you were at your grandmother’s house, everything was made from scratch. That was the old-school way of doing things,” explains Ilya. “We thought if we’re going to make an old school place and be located in an old part of Tampa, we need to do this old school and we need to make things fresh.” That wholesome experience is reflected in the results with menu items featuring fresh vegetables, fruits and ingredients.The restaurant also enforces a zero waste policy and adds what is not used in the recipes to a vegetable-based soup to be given away to Tampa Crossroads, a non-profit assisting members of the community in need. It may not be an entire village yet, but Ilya plans to expand his campaign with grants so The Stone Soup Company can continue to share its ingredients and flavor, 2 cups at a time. www.stonesoupco.com
Taste of Home A Family Recipe
Article, Recipe and Photography provided by Sean Fabian Dumanal Kuddu is a dish that has been in my family for generations. Hailing from the beautiful island of Guam, this Chamorro style soup reminds me of the warmth and comfort of being at home. While making this soup with my sister (for the purpose of photographing it forVERTICAL Tampa Bay), it literally brought me closer to my family.Together, we followed the recipe, filling the house with the aroma of roasted garlic, onions, and stewed potatoes.The Kuddu was perfect, and what made it even more satisfying was enjoying it with my family.
KUDDU INGREDIENTS ✵ 1 lb. of Stew Beef or Chicken ✵ 1tbsp vegetable oil ✵ 1 whole onion, chopped ✵ 3 cloves of garlic, minced ✵ 4 potatoes, cut into chunks (same size as beef) ✵ 1 Nappa cabbage, chopped ✵ Spinach (optional) ✵ Salt ✵ Pepper DIRECTIONS ✵ With a tbsp of oil, sauté the onions and garlic in a large stockpot ✵ Then add chicken or beef to the onion and garlic ✵ Fill the stockpot with enough water to cover the meat ✵ On medium-high heat, stew the meat for half an hour ✵ Bring to a boil, then add potatoes and salt and pepper to taste ✵ Add Nappa cabbage, and spinach (optional) ✵ Stew until meat and potatoes are tender ✵ Kuddu is ready once potatoes are done. Serve with rice and soy sauce for extra flavor
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Dear FWTB Sponsor, Has anyone ever told you that you’re our hero? That you are beyond fabulous? A fashion force to be reckoned with and always dressed to impress? We you and think you’re the best. Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2010 brought a list of dynamic fashion designers including: Audrey “Pat” McGhee, Essence Flowers, Helen Gerro, Kimberly Hendrix, Nina Verklas, Terri Funaro & Trineice Cagua. Thanks to our 2010 sponsors we were able to continue to showcase and share these designers’ passion and work. We appreciate your support and thank you for making Tampa Bay such a stylish region!
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WANDERLUST
One man’s tribute to creativity and imagination is on display in a world-class collection of vintage cars Story by Marcia Biggs ❧ Photography by PatFoleyPhoto.com
A
lain Cerf takes his collection of 50 impeccably restored vehicles very seriously. He has, after all, been researching, purchasing and restoring vintage vehicles from around the world for nearly 20 years. Some, like his cherished 1933 Derby Front Wheel DriveV8 from France, are sole survivors—lost bits of history restored to their former glory through many months or even years of meticulous labor. Preserving history is one reason Cerf built the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum, which houses his magnificent collection of dream machines. But educating the public about the progression of automotive engineering and design, well, that’s really his passion. “My goal with the museum is to show the ideas and evolution of the automobile,” says Cerf, a native Parisian who opened the museum in March 2005. “I want people to discover the great engineers who designed and built innovative cars.” The museum’s collection is based upon avant garde automobile technology and the history of technical breakthroughs— rear engine, front-wheel drive, aerodynamic styling. Most vehicles date from the 1920s to 1930s, “a time when there was a lot of evolution,” says Cerf. Tucked away in an industrial park in Pinellas Park, the 12,000-square-foot showroom is an add-on to Cerf ’s manufacturing warehouse, Polypack.The museum is a modern streamlined building, smartly designed by Albert Alfonso of Alfonso Architects, Inc. in Tampa. Surprisingly, the Tampa Bay Automobile
Museum is only briefly mentioned in local tourist guides. Cerf does not seem to mind. “People who love automobiles will find us on the Internet, or by word of mouth,” he says with a shrug.Visitors to the museum come from around the world, he adds, many collectors themselves. But one need not be a certified gearhead to appreciate the uniqueness of this gleaming exhibit. These are cars that set the standards for the engineering of automobiles today and, remarkably, all are in running condition. In an attached garage, a mechanic works full-time on each new acquisition, often taking several years to rebuild and restore each to its original condition. Most of the vehicles are foreign—Tracta, Citroën, Panhard and Voisin from France; Tatra and Aero from C z e c h o s l ova k i a ; DKW, Auto Union and Mercedes from Germany; Alvis, Allard and BSA from England. Several vintage racecars stand proud, such as a remarkable 1928 Alvis. There’s also a DeLorean from Ireland, and an impressive showing from the United States with a Willys Knight, Ruxton and Cord. To see this collection firsthand is like a ride through history.Visit www.tbauto.org Editor’s Note:These rides might likely turn their noses (or hood ornaments) up at the sight of a trailer. On a tour of the museum, we learned that each and every car in the collection gets to get out and flirt with the pavement. Whether driving to an auto show or simply joyriding, when rubber meets the road and wheels spin, wanderlust begins.
For Alain, what began as buying old cars out of necessity grew into a passion for collecting vintage cars." ~ Susan Cerf
SHELTON QUARLES’ 2011
CELEBRITY WAITER NIGHT Join former Tampa Bay Buccaneer All-Pro linebacker Shelton Quarles and his celebrity guests Ronde Barber, Josh Freeman, Barrett Ruud and others* as they serve you dinner and wait on your table! By attending this event, you will be supporting the mission of Shelton Quarles’ IMPACT Foundation of providing resources and opportunities to at-risk single parent families throughout the Tampa Bay area.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2011
Grand Ballroom at the Don CeSar Beach Resort, A Loews Hotel For tickets and more information visit:
www.SheltonQuarles.org PRESENTED BY:
*All celebrities are subject to change, without notice.
A DAY IN THE
CITY
Pictorial by Leslie Joy Ickowitz
Brandon Ballet has been inspiring audiences for over 17 years. Be there, every year, as the curtain rises on our riveting performances of The Nutcracker and our annual Spring Gala.
813.684.4282 • BrandonBallet.org 161 East Bloomingdale Avenue • Brandon, FL
Artistic Director: Alice Holden Bock Associate Artistic Director: Claire Andrews Photography by Monica Estrada • Brandon Ballet is a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization.
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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY
Get Up.
Get Into It.
Get Involved. Great Places to Get DECEMBER 31 Dressed, Get Out and AQUA-EVE Make a Difference By Marcia Biggs
Splash in the NewYear at Florida Aquarium’s annual Aqua-Eve gala. Dance to live entertainment, enjoy food, beer and wine while strolling the aquarium exhibits, then toast the NewYear with champagne at midnight while enjoying the best view in town for a spectacular fireworks display over Channelside.Tickets are $90 Dec. 5–19; $100 after Dec. 19. Please call 813.273.4030 or email visitorservices@flaquarium. org for more information.
JANUARY 29 A NIGHT ON BROADWAY Take a walk on the red carpet and get ready for a glamorous Hollywood party when A Night On Broadway lights up the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art from 6:30 to 11pm. Dress as your favorite movie star or in cocktail attire at the museum’s premiere fundraising event featuring fine wine, heavy hors d’oeuvres and desserts throughout the evening. Musical entertainment, a silent auction and costume contest are all part of the fun.The museum is located on the St. Petersburg College Tarpon Springs campus; tickets are $100. Please call 727.712.5222 or visit spcollege.edu/central/museum for more information.
FEBRUARY 12
MARCH 5
SOJOURN: DESTINATION SOUTH AFRICA
ANIMAL AFFAIRE GALA
Experience the rhythm and soul of South Africa at the 6th annual international celebration of wine, food and culture benefiting public television station WEDU. The black-tie gala features a gourmet, wine-paired dinner and South African entertainment at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg. Tickets are $250; for more information, please call 813.254.9338, ext. 2241 or visit wedu.org/sojourn.
FEBRUARY 17 TO LIFE: MUSIC OF HOPE A gala evening including a special tribute to Edie Loebenberg, late founder of The Florida Holocaust Museum, will fill The Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg with soul and more in this annual fundraiser to benefit the museum.A special performance, Violins of Hope, will feature musicians from the Florida Orchestra. The evening includes cocktails, dinner-by-the-bite, and a silent auction followed by the concert and presentation of the Loebenberg Humanitarian Award. Tickets are $150; please contact Dan Berman at 727.820.0100, ext 242 or visit flholocaustmuseum.org/events for information.
FEBRUARY 25 A PAIR TO REMEMBER For ladies who love to lunch, it’s a dream come true: champagne, pampering services, a gourmet lunch and a silent auction.Then a live auction with pretty pumps and sexy sandals presented on silver platters by a dozen hunky athletes and businessmen. A Pair to Remember is the fun-raising luncheon and shoe auction benefiting Tampa Bay Easter Seals, set for 11am at the Tampa Yacht & Country Club. Jen Holloway will emcee; fashions by Saks Fifth Avenue. Tickets $75; call 813.769.5923 or visit fl.easterseals. com and click on Events.
Head to Hangar One at Albert Whitted Airport at 6:30pm and support the 4th annual fundraiser to benefit Save the Tails, a medical fund for treating animals at SPCA Tampa Bay.The black-tie optional gala will feature tapas, cocktails, silent and live auctions, and a display of private planes and Porsches.Tickets are $150; please call 727.586.3591, ext. 136 for more information or visit spcatampabay.org.
MARCH 10 FASHION FUNDS THE CURE It will be a celebration of strength, courage and caring when Saks Fifth Avenue at Westshore Plaza hosts this fashion benefit for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Celebrity host Carson Kressley of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” and “How to Look Good Naked” will add his special panache to the evening, which begins at 6pm with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and opportunities to shop. The fashion show starts at 7pm. Tickets are $100; and if you wish to extend that generosity further, you can sponsor a young girl battling cancer at the event. Please call 813.269.0955 for tickets or visit http://fastercure.org/FFTCTampa2011.htm for more information.
Event details and ticket prices subject to change. Contact organizations directly for the most up-todate information.
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The sunflower is our new symbol. Why? Because sunflowers are strong hearty flowers that grow in every neighborhood. Sunflowers always seek the light — The Spring provides support and emergency shelter to victims of domestic violence who seek strength. They come from every neighborhood. The Spring is the light they seek— help us continue to be there!
The Spring is Hillsborough County’s only certified Domestic Violence Prevention and Emergency Shelter Agency. www.TheSpring.org
In Hillsborough County, our hotline phone number, 24-7-SAFE (813-247-7233) tells our story. It’s why we’re here. It’s what we do. It’s who we are. Twenty four hours each day, seven days each week, we work to keep individuals and families safe. Advocates are standing by to take a call from someone needing help, or seeking safety in our emergency shelter 24/7. Remember our number by remembering our cause. Keeping victims of domestic violence SAFE, 24/7. The Spring relies on the community to help us keep families safe.Your tax-deductible gift will make sure there is someone there to take the call, offer help and open the door to a safe haven—24/7.
To donate, go to www.TheSpring.org.
Outside Hillsborough County call 1-800-500-1119
PRO
I
saw a bumper sticker the other day that read, “Little Red Riding Hood Lied.” At first it seemed like a bold statement about a beloved storybook character who is typically seen as the victim. When I thought about it a little more though, I began to understand why some animal advocates feel that wolves, bears and other forest creatures have gotten a bum rap in classic literature. Fortunately, publishing trends seem to be focusing on story mash ups, plot twists, and spinning bedtime yarns into something new. In Lisa Campbell Ernst’s Little Red Riding Hood—A Newfangled Prairie Tale, the author creates a vegetarian wolf character who is still wily and persistent, but doesn’t want to eat children—a sigh of relief for parents who would rather not provide fertile ground for nightmares when snuggling up for story time. Another great book that provides the retelling of a classic is Cinder Edna by Ellen Jackson.The cover says it all with a picture of a penny loafer on the Prince’s pillow instead of a glass slipper.The alternative heroine in this story will appeal to girls without the princess fascination and boys will appreciate its humorous twists. The story portrays step-families in a slightly more positive light than the original, but hey, there has to be some semblance of a bad guy and adversity to create tension. The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas puts a negative spin on the pig character in this rendition of the classic, but in the end he transforms into a friend of the wolves. My favorite title among the fairy tale revisions is Susan Lowell’s Dusty Locks and the Three Bears. Dusty is a very naughty girl who runs away from her mother at bath time. She happens into the three bears’ house wreaking all kinds of havoc. The bears are cleverly drawn and described by the author. Baby Bear is knee high to a bumblebee and Papa Bear is as cross as two sticks. In the end, Dusty finds her way home and into her bath water, a slightly better behaved little girl than before her adventure. The bears don’t even recognize her when they pass her on the street in town. In these days of renew, recycle, reuse, it seems fitting that the classic stories become new again and that the message is modernized for our times. Reach for one of these funny fairy tales the next time you read to the child in your life.You may find that you like them more than the original. Casey Brook McPhee is an avid reader who has worked in libraries for twenty years. She is torn between her love for the scent and tactile pleasure of books and the instant gratification the Amazon Kindle provides.
FLIPPING the Script On Storybooks
By Casey Brook McPhee, Director Largo Public Library
The Spirit of Giving millennial tradition for positive change Story by Natalia Galbetti
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” ~ Anne Frank
T
he origins of charitable giving trace back to the ancient Egyptians who believed after death they would be asked two questions, “Did you bring joy?” and “Did you find joy?” Their answers would determine their fate in continuing to the afterlife.Thousands of years later researchers at the University of Oregon found the answers to both questions were actually intertwined, as people who give tend to receive a feeling of happiness and satisfaction in return. A similar feeling is behind the word “charity,” from the Latin “caritas,” meaning love, not to those in need but unlimited to all beings. From helping the environment to educating children, assisting adults to saving animals, inspiring a generation to generating a better community, the number of nonprofit organizations is increasing yearly along with the possibilities for individuals to make a positive change in the world. According to the government-sponsored Web site VolunteeringInAmerica.gov, over 63 million people took advantage of those opportunities and volunteered in 2009—donating 8.1 billion hours of their time to worthwhile causes.
Whether in your neighborhood or halfway around the world, bringing and finding joy through giving is easier than ever. All it takes is for people to get in the spirit. Here are few local causes to inspire you to Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved.
Environment
Animals
Mission:A 501(c)(3) nonprofit stewardship program dedicated exclusively to the protection and restoration of the marine and wetland environments of the Tampa Bay estuary through scientific and educational programs. www.tampabaywatch.org
Mission: To rescue dogs and cats from animal shelters that may otherwise be euthanized due to time limitations, illness, injuries or lack of socialization and training.We are also dedicated to educating the public about the pet overpopulation crisis, the importance of spaying/neutering and responsible pet ownership. www.petpalanimalshelter.com
TAMPA BAY WATCH
Arts
TAMPA BAY CHILDREN’S THEATER GROUP Mission: A Florida Non-Profit Corporation dedicated to bringing the joy of musical theater to the Tampa Bay community.The group’s focus is to teach children 6-16 to act, sing, and dance, and then share their talents with their community. www.tampabaychildrenstheatergroup.org
Community NEW ROOTS NEWS
Mission:To inform the public by providing a source for relevant local news. To educate our contributors by training them in journalism and multimedia production.To involve our community by recruiting members to tell stories and by engaging residents in productive public discourse. www.newrootsnews.org
PET PAL ANIMAL SHELTERS
Humanity GIRLS INC.
Mission: Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County is a local affiliate of a national nonprofit youth organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be Strong, Smart and Bold. Girls Inc. fulfills its mission of empowering girls age six and up to be self-confident, responsible and well-rounded individuals by delivering researchbased, age-appropriate, after-school and summer educational and sports programs designed specifically for girls at the Girls Incorporated National Resource Center. www.girlsincsrq.org Find more causes to care about at www.dogood.tampa.com
A galaxy of thanks to the friends who joined us for “A VERTICAL Evening at Neiman Marcus� to benefit Feeding America Tampa Bay. Together we took a bite out of hunger and raised enough dough to provide 1,307 meals for those in need.
Photography by BrianJamesGallery.com
SPECIAL THANKS TO FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS OF VERTICAL Geri X ✵ Justin Cason ✵ Melissa Vogt, Tara Block and Brynna Nolte of Benz Model & Talent Agency ✵ Mark Thorn, Holley Sinn, Jerome Ritchey and the Studio 10 team ✵ Lindsay Heyser of Benz Model & Talent Agency ✵ Madison Murray ✵ The one & only Nancy Vaughn of White Book Agency ✵ Scott Moore of Urban Body Clothing ✵ Jaclyn Lambert ✵ Kay Newsom of Bella Southern Interiors ✵ Mariana Herrera Mosli of Kismis Ink Photography ✵ Susan Cerf and the Tampa Bay Auto Museum team ✵ Nicole Morgan ✵ Tonya Maxey ✵ Lauren Ashley of Benz Model & Talent Agency ✵ Cindy Wilson ✵ Jessica A. Harmon ✵ Brandi Kamenar of Icon B. Marketing & Publicity Group ✵ Dr. Timothy Lassett and the team at North Bay Animal & Bird Hospital ✵ Jill Wax, Kate Thomsen, Skyler Roberts, Lauren Kroeger and Michelle Loucks of La France ✵ Patty Masin of Neiman Marcus ✵ Pat Rogers, Debbi McCarthy, Wendy Zella and the Feeding America Tampa Bay team Special thanks to VERTICAL’s contributors. Much love to my husband Alan and our families and friends. Extra Special Thanks to the guests who attended “A VERTICAL Evening at Neiman Marcus” who helped us raise enough money to provide 1,307 meals to those in need.
PEOPLE WHO ROCK
PEACE OUT