50 Years of Aquatic Preserve
Sprucing up the Straz
Dr. Jay Ross and Ann McKeel Ross
have donated a large selection of their
artwork from the University of South
Florida’s Graphicstudio to the Straz Center
in Tampa, which is displaying it on the
second and third levels of the performing
arts center. Also at the Straz in the lobby
and second floor of Carol Morsani Hall
is a 13-piece juried exhibition presented
in collaboration with the New Yorkbased
National Sculpture Society. The
“Performance in Sculpture” exhibit will
be on display through Summer 2021. This
year’s collection honors Jim and Joan
Jennewein for their dedication to sculpture
and art and their decades-long connection
with the Straz Center.
UPFRONT
Dr. Jay Ross and Ann McKeel Ross have
donated a large selection of artwork to the
Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa.
USF Hospitality Training
38 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019
LIFETOUCH PORTRAITS
George Feaster Chosen
as Ambassador
C harityWorks, which helps those
who help others, operates the
wellness-medical aid program
called Give Hope USA that provides
temporary relief and wellness aid
to the economically disadvantaged
and health-stressed families and
individuals. George Feaster of Largo
has been selected as this year’s
ambassador for the program. He will be
honored November 21st at a celebration
dinner at the Belleair Country Club.
Among the organizations that Feaster
is involved with are the Largo Lions
Club, the Suncoast Performing Arts
Foundation, Largo Library Foundation,
the National Society of Arts and Letters,
Largo Elks and CharityWorks. 9
GRAM
The Friends of Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserve
held a 50th anniversary celebration for
the Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve to
celebrate National Estuaries Week. It was
through the efforts of The Honorable Roger
Wilson (Florida House of Representatives
1968-1976) that Boca Ciega and Pinellas
County became aquatic preserves. The
event’s honorary chairs were biologist
and educator Kelly Still and her husband
Christopher, who is known for his paintings
depicting the history and natural beauty of
the State of Florida. The festivities took place
at the Digitorium on the Seminole Campus
of St. Petersburg College.
GRAM
Business owners in the hospitality
industry are struggling to attract and
retain dedicated talent. That is why
Steve Westphal, president of Go to Steve’s
Restaurants and Catering, was one of
the panelists at a program of the Open
Partnership Education Network at the
University of South Florida St. Petersburg,
where he discussed the new USF Hospitality
Leadership Program that will begin in
January. With a modern approach to
online learning and on-the-job application,
participants in the program will come away
with the leadership skills and industry
commitment that business leaders seek.
GRAM
Tarpon Springs artist
Christopher Still, who
served as master of
ceremonies for Boca
Ciega Bay Aquatic
Preserve’s 50th
anniversary celebration,
was thanked for
doing so by Dr. Randy
Runnels, manager for
Tampa Bay Aquatic
Preserves, and Terry
Fortner, chair of the
celebration.
George Feaster
Steve
Westphal
is among
business
leaders
working
with the
University
of South
Florida
to recruit
and train
workers
for the
hospitality
industry.