On the Town

By Mary Jane Park, Times Staff Writer
In print: Sunday, May 4, 2008

Story Tools E-mail this story Contact the editor Print this story Comment on this story Social Bookmarking [+] Digg Facebook Stumbleupon Reddit Del.icio.us Newsvine

ADVERTISEMENT

04.26.08

With a Latin theme and food and live music, "Hot! Hot! Hot! A Mexican Fiesta," the 58th annual Fashion Promenade, filled the ballroom at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. The event honors stylishly attired community volunteers and raised money for this year's nonprofit recipient, PACE Center for Girls of Pinellas.

On the 2008 list of best-groomed women: Mary Ellen Conte, Priscilla Hobby, Nora Pearson, Janet Raymond, Barbara Sexton, Mary Wheeler, Joyce LaRue Larson, Barbara Henley, Maggi McQueen and Luisa Perez Harvey.

Men named to the best-groomed list: William Emerson, Robert Lovejoy, John Schloder, Don Whitehead and Richard Winning.

And Mary Evertz and Sally Poynter advanced to the best-groomed Hall of Fame.

Fashions were from Ambria's Gallery of Wearable Art, Bluewater Outfitters and Two Coconuts Swimwear — By Renee.

Diane Winning led the event committee.

04.24.08

With a circus theme and amazing costumes blended among the fashions from Georgette's, the Shoe Salon and Bespoke & Co., all Tampa clothiers, the annual benefit presented by the Pinellas Auxiliary of the Children's Home presented a New York-style show for patrons in the Palm Court Ballroom of the Renaissance Vinoy Resort.

The event is called Star Power, partly because of the energy given to it by Georgette and Tashia Diaz of the women's boutique, who produce the show; David Kahn, who supplied the menswear; and Marcy Rodriguez, who choreographed the show.

It also features Tampa Bay area celebrities on the runway. Familiar faces included Cathy Unruh, Kelly Feldman, Margaret Word Burnside, Amanda Mason, Debra Schrils, Russell Rhodes, Steve Jerve, Keith Cate, J.P. Peterson, Mark Royals, Mark Larsen and Dick Crippen, who did double duty as master of ceremonies.

More than 500 people attended the event, which was sponsored by Regions bank. The committee included Pinellas auxiliary president Hope Dogali, Andrea Augustine, Karol Bullard, Debbie Hedges, Hilde Hulen, Diane Suprenant, Janice Troia, Valerie Bukowski, Debbie Cureton, Beth Doyle, Linda Hovatter, Barbara Sharf, Carole Tonnison and Connie Whitehead.

Nonprofit groups can apply for $100,000 grant

The 2008 Tampa Bay Benefits charitable awards program, financed by the Humana Foundation, is accepting applications for a one-time, $100,000 grant to a nonprofit organization in the bay area.

The project supports charitable organizations that are focused on improving health experiences or building healthy communities in the areas of mind, body and spirit.

The competition is open to 501(c)(3) organizations in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Hernando and Pasco counties.

Applicant criteria and complete instructions are available online at

www.tampabaybenefits.org. The grant application deadline is Aug. 8.