ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – July 10, 2023 — The Left Bank Bistro is having a special celebration to commemorate Bastille Day on Friday, July 14th beginning at 5:00 PM. The restaurant will have live contemporary jazz music by David Downing & Friends beginning at 7:00 PM.

“We wanted to create a fun event to commemorate Bastille Day, which was the taking of the Bastille signaling the beginning of the French Revolution, and it thus became a symbol of the end of the old regime,” said Susanne Byram, owner of The Left Bank Bistro. “At the LBB we also wanted to symbolize the new regime by combining art and music with fine dining for a memorable culinary experience.”

In addition to the Left Bank Menu, Chef J has created a traditional French-inspired entree especially for the evening. Pair it with a celebratory Bastille cocktail created by our Head Bartender Jake, that has an infusion of toasted coriander, fresh thyme, lemon, Tesseron Composition Cognac along with China Amber – magnifique!  To complement the special cuisine for the evening, David Downing & Friends will be playing some traditional and contemporary tunes live to keep the holiday in the festive spirit. Reservations are recommended as seating is limited.

About The Left Bank Bistro
The Left Bank Bistro is located in the uptown, MLK Business District area at 1225 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N., St Petersburg, FL 33701 The elegant decor and setting takes you back to 1920’s Paris – where artists and poets lived during that time period. The restaurant is housed in a meticulously restored 1922 bungalow that features French cuisine along with signature top-shelf cocktails named after the artists of the day. There is inside as well as outside seating for patrons. For reservations call 727-256-1691 or visit the website at https://www.theleftbankbistro.com/

TAMPA, Fla. – June 15, 2023 — Wheels of Success will be celebrating their 20th year as a Tampa Bay area charity this Friday, June 16th. The charity began in the Tampa, Hillsborough county area and has expanded over the years to include Pasco and Pinellas Counties. Tampa is one of the most expensive metropolitan cities in the country for transportation costs and the only one without mass transit. Parents working until 5:00 pm and relying on public transportation to pick up their children from daycare find it almost impossible to get there by the 6:00 pm deadline.

“It’s hard to believe we’re going into our 20th Year as well as coming up on our 1,200th car presentation,” said Susan Jacobs, Founder and CEO of Wheels of Success. “I can remember when it was all just a dream I was working on and now two decades later,  it’s a reality for many families in the three counties we serve.”

Wheels of Success clients must be referred to the program by a social service agency or their employer via their website application to be considered. The charity provides its clients with reliable vehicles as well as assistance with automotive repairs, insurance/tag and title and other car related services; and required car-care classes. Vehicles are obtained through donation (or purchase)  and are restored to good running condition through the support of community partners and donors. The charity has always had a “Pay It Forward” philosophy and when clients receive a vehicle, they “buy” it from the program by making monthly payments for one year based on ability to pay, and are also required to donate 3 service hours per month to the organization to help keep expenses down. These payments enable our clients to make a difference and help Wheels of Success to keep rolling and serving others.

About Wheels of Success:
Wheels of Success is dedicated to providing personal transportation solutions by partnering with the community in a circle of support to keep people working and sustain their independence. Since June 2003, Wheels of Success has provided almost 1,200 vehicles and an additional 1,000 repairs and car related services.

Media contact: Susan Jacobs, 813-995-5040 or for more information visit us online at http://www.wheelsofsuccess.org or email: info@wheelsofsuccess.org

TAMPA, Fla. – June 7, 2023 — The Gasparilla Festival of the Arts (GFA) has elected a new slate of leadership for 2023-2024.  The Voting Board chose from a qualified list of candidates for new Board members and then from its members, selected the new leadership team. GFA’s new slate promises to continue this 54-year-old non-profit’s increasing impact on the arts in Tampa Bay.

The Newly Elected Officers Are:
(Photo Shown top Left – clockwise)
Karen Price – Re-Elected Board Member and Incoming Board President:
Karen was GFA’s Treasurer in 2022-23 and has been a member of the Board since 2021. Her dedication to detail and process-oriented approach has enriched her understanding of all facets of GFA during her three-year tenure. As a successful CPA, Karen brings a wealth of experience in business advisory and tax planning solutions to the organization.

Clay Hollenkamp – New Board Member and Incoming Board Vice President:
Clay is a passionate advocate for GFA, having served as the Festival Co-Chair for the 53^rd annual festival. He has been involved in non-profit arts administration and development for over a decade and became a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). Beyond GFA, Clay has been actively involved in the arts community through various roles, including being a board member at the Arts Council of Hillsborough County, President of the Board of Directors of Make Plant City and co-founder of Periphery Media.

Joy Jansen – Re-elected Board Member and Incoming Treasurer:
Joy’s deep appreciation for art stems from her upbringing and her mother’s influence. With 30 years of finance and management experience, including executive leadership roles, Joy is well-equipped to handle the financial responsibilities of the organization. Her focus on building relationships and creating positive impacts aligns perfectly with GFA’s mission. Currently, she serves as the VP of Finance for Amalie Oil Company.

Sandra Sroka – Incoming Board Secretary:
Sandra’s appreciation and involvement in the arts have been significantly enriched by her experience with GFA. With over 40 years of administrative experience in the health and disability fields, both in the public and private sector, Sandra brings a wealth of expertise to her role on the Board. She has been instrumental in ensuring compliance with disability rights laws and now serves as the Adult Program Coordinator for Arts4ALL Florida.

GFA welcomes its new Board members.
Bernadette Casey
Bernadette Casey brings extensive experience working with nonprofit Boards of Directors and currently serves as the Development Director for the Pace Center for Girls in Hillsborough County. Her expertise in fundraising and development will be invaluable to GFA. During her tenure as the Development Director for the Tampa Museum of Art, Bernadette successfully secured support from major donors, oversaw exhibition openings, and managed a large budget.

Patricia Fosnaught – Past and Returning Board Member:
Patricia Fosnaught’s dedication to GFA spans over 30 years, making her one of the longest-serving supporters of the organization. As an experienced art educator, she has contributed significantly to the promotion of emerging artists and has played key roles in various GFA initiatives.

Derek Johnson
Derek Johnson’s passion for art was instilled by his grandmother, who nurtured his creativity and appreciation for artistic expression. In his professional life, he has excelled in business development and finance, generating substantial revenue for the firms he has worked for.

Alexis Mootoo, PhD, MBA
Alexis Mootoo is committed to the transformative power of the arts in bridging gaps between diverse communities. Her leadership positions at the University of South Florida and her involvement with the Straz Performing Arts Center demonstrate her dedication to fostering community engagement through the arts.

Jeffrey Nader
Jeffrey Nader is a passionate designer with a deep-rooted love for the arts. For the past 16 years, his affinity for the arts has been a driving force in his career, stemming from his innate desire to create and craft that began at an early age.  In 2020, he joined GFA as a Festival committee volunteer, and ultimately rose to the position of Festival co-chair for the 53^rd Annual Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts.

About GFA: The Gasparilla Festival of the Arts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to producing an annual, premier juried outdoor art festival for the enjoyment and education of patrons, artists and guests as well as for the enhancement of the Tampa Bay area’s cultural arts. The organization relies on support from sponsorships, on-site retail sales, corporate and individual gifts to fund its programs and events. To learn more, visit GasparillaArts.com.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – March 27, 2023 — Owen Sweet has been commissioned to create a custom wine charm for the VIP attendees at this year’s Los Vinos de Dalí. The annual fundraising event hosted by The Guild at the Dalí will commemorate its 10th Anniversary Year with Sweet’s original design in Sterling silver that will be given to all attendees who purchase VIP tickets to the event.

“I’m honored to be working with The Guild at the Dalí for this special project,” said Sweet. “Custom work is my absolute favorite thing to do and this collaboration with the Guild has been a terrific experience. It’s nice to be working on something to help raise funds for this incredible museum in our area.”

Los Vinos de Dalí began as a fundraising idea by founding Guild members with the first event held in 2012. Since that time, the event has grown ten-fold. The Guild at the Dalí Los Vinos Committee created this premier event for those interested in food and culture, all while having a surreal time on the grounds as well as inside the iconic Dalí Museum.

“We wanted to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Los Vinos de Dali by working with an artist to design a special piece in honor of this milestone event. Owen Sweet, known for his unique, imaginative jewelry creations was the perfect design partnership for Los Vinos de Dalí. We are excited to be working with him,” said Adele Giovanazzi-Visiaggo, Guild at the Dalí Member.

This year’s event will take place on April 29th with proceeds benefitting the Museum’s mission to preserve and share Dalí works, create unique perspectives on art and technology, enrich our community and reduce barriers with free and reduced-price admissions, tours, and programs.

About Owen Sweet
Owen Sweet, Jewelry Designer, is widely recognized for his distinctive modern style and has been creating extraordinary pieces for over 40 years. A native of South Africa, Sweet trained under some of the best European designers before embarking on his own business. He draws much of his inspiration from Europe as well as world history and a wide range of cultural traditions. Currently, he gains inspiration from the urban landscape of St Petersburg Florida – his home for the past 35+ years. Owen Sweet Design is located in South Pasadena Shopping Center,  6856 Gulfport Blvd S, South Pasadena, FL 33707; online at www.ohsosweet.com or call 727-392-6936.

About Los Vinos de Dalí
Los Vinos is an evening of wine, craft beer and spirit sampling, tastings from local restaurants, music, art and more. It will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023 | VIP: 6:00 – 7:00 pm | General Admission: 7:00 – 10:30 pm at The Dalí Museum. Prices range from $110 for members, $120 non-members; $600 for VIP tickets. For tickets or sponsorship information visit https://thedali.org/event/los-vinos-de-dali-2023/

TAMPA, Fla. – Nov. 3, 2022 — Veteran’s Day is observed annually on November 11th honoring men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces coinciding with the anniversary of the end of World War I. That does not stop the Tampa Bay Charity from honoring Veterans through their Veterans for Vehicles Program all year long. Veterans who go through the program are referred to the charity through a verified agency and are required to make $100 monthly payments for one year, attend a Car Care Class and complete 36 volunteer hours back to the charity. WOS provides a hand up not a hand out to keep people working and sustain their independence.

“Our Vehicles for Veterans Program was created to help veterans re-enter the workforce after serving our country. The program started with funding through State Farm in 2009 with continuing annual support, making it easier for veterans to keep the jobs they have, get the medical care they need and keep them from sliding into homelessness,’ said Susan Jacobs, Founder and CEO of Wheels of Success.

The Wheels of Success car recipient Brad Houston, U.S. Army veteran, served on active duty from 2008-2011 and completed one tour in Iraq. He was also the awardee of a High Miler Award while in the military. Currently he is working outdoors for Screen Boss re-screening pool cages and needs to have reliable transportation to get to and from work. Houston is grateful to receive his car to make sure he gets to work on time and keeps his job .

“I know what it’s like first-hand to live without a vehicle. Our Tampa area is so spread out and because of that, it’s hard to do the things you need to do. It’s hard to function without a vehicle and the public transportation is not always time-reliable so you have to really budget your time. A car affects your living situation – and I know that from experience not having a home, where a car I used to have was my only shelter and I was living out of it. So getting a place to live and securing reliable transportation is huge for me,” said Houston.

About Wheels of Success:
Wheels of Success is dedicated to providing personal transportation solutions by partnering with the community in a circle of support to keep people working and sustain their independence.

Since June 2003, Wheels of Success has helped more than 1,500 families obtain or continue work by providing them with reliable transportation through a program of car repairs, vehicle replacement, related licensing services, car payments, down payments and car-care classes. For more info visit http://www.wheelsofsuccess.org