SKETCHES, SCRIBBLES & SCRAPS OF
INFORMATION ABOUT PEOPLE, PLACES
& ALMOST ANYTHING ELSE UPFRONT
38 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
The James Museum
Tops Out
Central Avenue in downtown St. Petersburg was filled with white hard hats
to take part in the topping off ceremony of the James Museum of Western
and Wildlife Art. The final steel beam was autographed and raised to
complete the 219-foot steel frame that will anchor the 105-ton stone mesa at
the museum’s entrance. Tom and Mary James are building the museum to
house the 500 best of the 3,000 pieces of art they have collected over the past
50 years. Mayor Rick Kriseman thanked them for choosing St. Petersburg
for their 84,000-square-foot museum. The event was coordinated by Laura
Hine, the museum’s project director and the wife of Hank Hine, the director
of the Dalí Museum and one of the James’ advisers. Internationally acclaimed
architect Yann Weymouth is the design director for the museum.
NORAA
MARC MENCHER
Sean Murphy and his wife Susan opened
Beach Bistro on Anna Maria Island
more than 32 years ago to rave reviews.
Since then, this Manatee County bistro
has only gotten better. The Zagat ratings
site named it one of the Top Restaurants
in America and constantly awards it the
highest scores for “Best Food” in the
state of Florida. The restaurant is also
in Florida Trend’s Golden Spoon Hall of
Fame. Try the dish they created for the
James Beard House in New York City
called Food Heaven, which combines
lamb, lobster and foie gras, to discover
just how wonderful this restaurant can
be. For reservations, call (941) 778-6444.
NORAA
The Colorado lamb served at the Beach
Bistro is the epitome of fine dining.
Tom James
was ready for
the topping off
ceremony of
the new James
Museum of
Western and
Wildlife Art in
downtown St.
Petersburg as
the final steel
beam was put
in place above
the entrance.
Designer Cakes &
Desserts Celebrates
Shelly Chandler and her daughter
Sarah Labelle, the owners of
Designer Cakes and Desserts in
Safety Harbor, celebrated the first
anniversary of their store on Main
Street. They won this year’s award for
“Best Dessert” at the Taste of Safety
Harbor and continue to develop new
creations that are as attractive as they
are delicious. Their desserts taste as
good as they look.
Michelle Lesser and her husband David Lesser,
president of Windstar Homes, were honored that
Windstar Homes won four Aurora Awards.
Windstar Homes Wins
Aurora Award
Windstar Homes of Tampa is one of the most
awarded residential design/build firms in
Florida. In furtherance of this reputation,
Windstar won four more Aurora Awards
from the Southeast Building Conference,
the prestigious organization that recognizes
outstanding builders, architects, designers,
and other housing-related professionals.
Windstar took home awards for best master
bath, best interior detailing and two for best
custom home design. Once again, the firm is
recognized as one of the finest home builders
in the country. 9
Beach Bistro
Waterfront Dining