Joey Panek, the new
director of marketing
and communications at
St. Petersburg’s American
Stage, has unveiled a new
website for the theatre in
honor of its 37-year legacy
of providing top-quality
theatrical entertainment.
Don and Sarah Howe
have joined luxury real
estate broker, Christie’s
International in St. Petersburg.
Carrie Smith, the portrait
artist, had her first solo
exhibition at Gallery 1356 in Clearwater.
Her large-scale oils on canvas capture an
awareness of the human gaze and the
Frank Chivas led his crew from Baystar Restaurants and Catering to win
“Best in Show” at the annual Taste of Clearwater, presented
by the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce.
emotions, expressions and attitudes they
can convey.
Bobby Rossi has been promoted to
the position of executive vice president
for entertainment at Ruth Eckerd Hall.
Previously, he was the chief procurement
officer at the Hall.
Brian and Nancy Battaglia were the
honorary hosts for the 2015 “Pacesetter”
Awards at the annual dinner for Personal
Enrichment through Mental Health
Services (PEMHS).
Melody Figurski has become the
president-elect of The Arc Tampa Bay
board of directors. Having become
involved with UPARC in the late ‘70s
through her daughter Tracy, Melody
has served on the UPARC Foundation
board since 1985 and has been on the
Agency board of directors since 1991 in
a multitude of capacities. She and her
husband Jerry appreciate all that this
organization has done for their daughter
and the others with whom she lives,
works, learns and grows.
A.H. TRAM
T. Marie Benchley has
opened T. Marie’s Fashion
and Gifts Boutique in
Valrico near Lithia Pinecrest
Road and Bloomingdale
Avenue. The bright yellow
building with its white picket
fence is packed with colorful
displays of gifts, books,
decorative furnishings,
accessories, shoes, resort
and casual wear, formals,
homecoming dresses and
tuxedos. T. Marie, a former
model, says she encourages people to feel
good; and if they look good in something
to wear it. The store’s general manager is
Lindsey Ress, and she will be aided by
“stylists, not sales girls,” says T. Marie,
who plans to be open seven days a week.
Ciro Mancini, the chef/owner of
Villa Bellini Restaurant in Clearwater,
is joining with Our Daily Bread Tampa
Bay to host a Thanksgiving Luncheon at
the restaurant for 250+ neighbors in need
on Thanksgiving Day.
Dan Shouvlin, the owner of Clear
Sky Beachside Cafe and Clear Sky
Draught Haus and a member of the
board of trustees of The ARC Tampa
Bay Foundation, hosts a philanthropic
event each year called “12 Tuesdays,”
where 20% of the evening’s sales at his
restaurants are donated to deserving
charities. The event is held on 12
contiguous Tuesdays with different
organizations benefiting each week.
Mary Jane Martinez and former
Florida Governor and Mayor of Tampa
Bob Martinez were the honorary chairs
of the gala to benefit the Tampa Bay
History Center, where the Columbia
Restaurant provided a historical culinary
repast.
Eva Lowe has announced the grand
opening of the new Hydrologic
plumbing and lighting distribution
showroom, located at 41916 U.S.
Highway 19 North in Tarpon Springs.
68 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015