Cultural Affairs Magazine

A refreshing and artistic event graced the grounds of UT Nov. 7th. Leslie Jennewein and Allison Adams chaired the "Picnic in the Park" as the Pavilion replacement fundraiser for The Tampa Museum of Art. Table patrons were given carte blanche to express themselves in their table decor of choice. The decorations ranged ...from stylistic funk to a bit of whimsey and of course elegance.

The Tampa Museum of Art gave everyone a truly a lovely evening under the stars!Read More

The American Heart Association brought together seven local researchers from USF and All Children’s Hospital who are funded by the American Heart Association. The event was presented by SYKES and was hosted at the home of Roger & Suzanne Perry. The Perrys' home was completely decorated for the holidays in support of th...e event. Delicious food, wine and champagne from Datz was abundantly arrayed for the guests. Each guest received a gift bag that included a beautiful heart ornament.

Chuck Sykes, CEO of SYKES Enterprises, emphasized the importance of "Research, Education & Awareness" in his delivery at the reception. Following Sykes was Dr. Ann Steele, an American Heart Association funded cardiac stem cell researcher. Dr. Steele gave an impassioned speech that shared her struggles and triumphs. This is a short note from the speech she gave at the reception.

"One third of children who are born with congenital heart defects or who acquire heart disease through viral or bacterial infection will never receive a new heart through a life-saving cardiac transplant. I experience the plights of children suffering from heart disease – to me these children have names, they are beautiful. Tragically, they die without childhoods or they die when their lives are just beginning as young teens and adults. Others who do not lose their lives often fight a life-long battle with progressive heart disease. Cardiac stem cells posses the potential to heal these damaged and diseased hearts. Cardiac stem cells and cardiac stem cell signaling factors may give a child back their life. I am proud to be an American Heart Association funded cardiac stem cell researcher. I am humbled to serve the children and families in our community by facilitating future treatment options through my research. As always, I undertake this research so that no child will ever have to live with a damaged, diseased or broken heart."Read More

The Spring of Tampa Bay has served victims of domestic violence in Hillsborough County since 1977. The Spring’s 102-bed emergency shelter provides safety and sanctuary to victims and their dependent children in crisis circumstances. The organization connects them to specialized legal and counseling services, as well ...as providing access to resources and partner agencies that help save precious lives and impart hope to individuals striving to rebuild lives shattered by violence and abuse at the hand of an intimate partner. For more information on The Spring please go to: www.thespring.org .Read More