Michael Francis, the music director of The Florida Orchestra, has had his contract extended for three more years by a unanimous decision made by the Orchestra’s board of directors. This ensures Michael’s leadership through at least the 2020-2021 season. Bravo! Michael is a treasure we all want to keep. Jeff Abbaticchio has joined Visit St. Pete/Clearwater as its director of community and partnerships. Harry Costello has become the chairman of Hill & Knowlton Strategies in Florida, and Ron Bartlett has been promoted to the firm’s general manager in Tampa and Tallahassee. Josephine Schaff, a multimillion dollar top producer, has joined Coastal Properties Group and Christie’s International, where she will engage a worldwide audience of high-net-worth homebuyers in their real estate needs. Cherie and Steve Wenstrom celebrated the 25th Anniversary of Wenstrom Communications in Clearwater at a party they held at the Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg. George Cretekos, the Mayor of Clearwater, was honored at the Greater The Honorable Bob Schmidt was thanked by Jeanie and Chris Renfrow of Charity Works for hosting the Sponsors’ Party for their Monopoly Night fundraiser at his Belleair Bluffs waterfront estate. Tampa Bay Area Good Scout Award Breakfast by the Boy Scouts of America. Sherrill Milnes, the famous opera baritone who lives in Palm Harbor with his wife, opera star Maria Zouves, helped host a tribute to the victims of Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub shootings that featured 150 opera singers. The benefit was titled, “One Voice Orlando: A Celebration in Song,” and included singers from Opera Tampa, St. Petersburg Opera Company and the Sarasota Opera. The event was held at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, where Milnes’ presence was appreciated by all the singers who have admired his voice over the many years he has reigned as one of opera’s greatest stars. Nick Dukas, the local singer/ songwriter, has won a Silver Medal from the Global Music Awards for outstanding achievement for his holiday recording of “Wrap You Up For Christmas.” Beth Houghton, executive director of the St. Petersburg Free Clinic, was honored with a Humanitarian Award at the 47th Annual PARC Black-Tie Gala in recognition of her leadership in enhancing the lives of those in need throughout the community. 68 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016 Edward Steinhoff has been chosen to be the new executive chef at The Straz Center for the Performing Arts. Steinhoff will be responsible for creating menus for the Straz Center’s four restaurants: Maestro’s Restaurant, Maestro’s Café, Maestro’s on the River and Steam Heat. He will also develop catering menus for special and corporate clients and will manage all aspects of the kitchen’s operations. The restaurants at the Straz Center make dining out and seeing a show both entertaining and convenient; and the Straz Center offers complete banquet and catering services for weddings, luncheons, dinners, parties, receptions, meetings and seminars. Joe Kokolakis and his wife Anna welcomed guests to the groundbreaking for their Artisan Apartment Homes in Dunedin that will have 65 one- and two-bedroom units with garage parking and first floor retail shops. This new approach to contemporary living and innovative market space is being developed and constructed by J. Kokolakis Contracting in Tarpon Springs. GRAM GRAM BuzzWorthyitems of note
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