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Jungle Boogie Is A Preview Of Lowry Zoo's Karamu

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 3, 2008

WEST SHORE - A new event will give a sneak peek at Karamu, Lowry Park Zoo's signature black-tie fundraiser, while raising money for the zoo.

The first Jungle Boogie will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday
at Saks Fifth Avenue in West Shore Plaza.

The private shopping event features a Brazilian lounge theme with food from PF Chang's, Table and Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant, cocktails, entertainment and a 15-percent discount for attendees.

Kelly Feldman, chairwoman of Karamu XXI, said the planning committee decided to offer the Jungle Boogie as a "kickoff party, since Saks donated $2,500 of a $5,000 shopping spree prize for Karamu."

Feldman said it also was a way "to get people information what Lowry Park Zoo is all about, how it is funded and about their black-tie gala."

Kelly Feldman, 34, a Tampa native, is married to Randy Feldman, an orthodontist. They have three young children. She served on the 2007 committee, headed by good friend, Erika Anderson.

"I think this is a really good way to start the holiday season," Kelly Feldman said. "Also, we need to show that Tampa really needs the zoo. They've come a long way since I was a little kid."

Tickets for the event are $25 advance, $35 at the door. For tickets, see www.karamu tampa.org.

Sickles Pop Ensemble Entertains Friday

HYDE PARK - The Sickles High School Pop Ensemble, under the direction of Patricia Evans, will perform popular and holiday music when the Friday Morning Musicale meets this week.

The meeting will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Musicale building, 809 Horatio St. It begins with a Musicale study course on composer Georges Bizet by Winton Dean as reported by Rivers Tyler.

The performance with a singalong will be at 11 a.m., with lunch at noon.

The event is open to the public. There is no charge for the program only, but the lunch is $5 and reservations are needed; call (813) 258-4752.

Luncheon hosts are Helen Alvarez, Bobby Ann Tarcza, Viki Jackson and Petra Sussman.

Holiday Events Benefit Others

TAMPA - The holiday season is in full swing with parties, shopping and cooking. Some events are designed to share holiday spirit while helping others in our community. They are:

•The Krewe of Shamrock's All-Krewe Social from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Margarita Mama's in Channelside.

Admission is a new, unwrapped toy, nonperishable food items or $10. The collections will go to Metropolitan Ministries. For information, call (813) 841-4419.

•The Spirit of Cigar City Krewe's social from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at CDB Southside, 3671 S. West Shore Blvd.

The krewe members will collect gift cards for the Elves for Elders 2008 Holiday Drive. The program is sponsored by the nonprofit organization Aging Solutions Inc.

For information, contact Victoria Cain-Stull at vcain stull@yahoo.com.

•Shopping for Excellence, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Deborah Kent's, 2120 S. Dale Mabry Highway.

The event features designer exhibits, a silent auction, student art, door prizes, discounts and hors d'oeuvres. Tickets are $20 at the store in advance or at the door. Proceeds benefit the Hillsborough Education Foundation.

•Home Is Where The Heart Is Holiday Stroll on Davis Islands, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Dec. 12.

Karen and Vincent Palori and Blake Casper will open their homes for guests in holiday casual attire to sample food and drinks and enjoy holiday entertainment.

Tickets are $150 each, and proceeds benefit the Kids Charity of Tampa Bay. For information, call Dottie Berger MacKinnon at (813) 629-5205.

Grand Opening Party Set for Sunday

PALMA CEIA - A Grand Opening Party is planned to support businesses in the shopping district along the MacDill Avenue and Bay-To-Bay Boulevard corridor.

The free event will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday and feature tastings of Jose Gaspar wines, live entertainment and food samples. A free gift-wrapping station will be open.

Merchants will collect unwrapped gifts for Toys for Tots and old, unused cell phones for The Spring. For information, see www.palmaceia district.com.

Children's Books Needed For Drive

TAMPA - A holiday campaign, Season's Readings, is under way to provide free books to area schools, non-profit organizations and literacy programs.

This previously has been exclusively a Verizon employee campaign but has gone to the public, too, with new or gently used children's books needed. Verizon Plus stores are collecting for general distribution, and some community centers are collecting for us at that site.

The locations include the Hillsborough Education Foundation, 2010 E. Hillsborough Ave., and the North Tampa Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay, 2313 E. Yukon St.

For information on the Season's Readings campaign, see www.foundation.verizon .com/seasonsreadings.

Child Abuse Council Seeks Toys For Store

SOUTH TAMPA - The Child Abuse Council's annual toy drive is under way, and donations are needed to ensure every child served by the council's programs receives gifts during the holidays.

The Holiday Store, open Dec. 16 to 18 at the council's office at 3108 W. Azeele St., provides parents and caregivers in need of assistance a place to "shop" for their children at no charge. Last year, the store provided for more than 700 children, and the organizers expect a greater need this year.

The council is seeking donations of new, non-violent, unwrapped toys for children through age 12, though the greatest need is for children age 3 and younger and 9 to 12. Early learning toys, bath toys, cars, trucks, books and sporting goods equipment are among the most requested items. Gift cards with a value of $20 or less also are needed.

Toys should be dropped off at the council office by Friday. Cash donations also are needed to buy gift wrapping supplies and to round out the assortment of gifts. For information, call Maria Lewis at (813) 673-4646, ext. 244.

Send news of social activities, landmark anniversaries, birthdays and other items of community interest to Lenora Lake at 15310 Amberly Drive, Suite 102, Tampa FL 33647; fax to (813) 975-9488; e-mail to llake@ tampatrib.com; or call her at (813) 865-4851.

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