Poppens heads west
For years, Lex Poppens was a regular in the Tampa Bay theater sceneâ┚¬â€Ânot as an actor, but as the Director of Marketing and Communications at Ruth Eckerd Hall. He left the theater in 2007 to work as the Vice President of Marketing with the Omaha Symphony. But now, Poppens is seeking warmer climates once again and has accepted the position of Director of Marketing and Communications at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa Calif. In his new position, Poppens is responsible for the overall stewardship and management of the center.
Lesbian couple eye Crate & Barrel prize
Lauren Campisi and her fiancé, Megan, are looking for your vote. The Tampa-based couple have entered Crate & Barrel's 2011 Ultimate Wedding Contest and are hoping to win the grand prize. The pair are one of several gay couples in this year's competition and winners are chosen by online votes. Lauren and Megan met on Match.com in 2008 and dated for two years before Megan proposed to Lauren in Key West. (Who says romance is dead?) Lauren contacted Watermark and asked if we'd help spread the word to help them become the first gay couple to have their wedding be nationally recognized in a contest. To vote, visit UltimateWeddingCOntest.com/entry 149938.
Tampa man's wine is â┚¬Ëœbest buy'
Who knew we had such amazing wine makers right here in Tampa Bay? But apparently Tampa's Paul Clear is one to watch! Wine Enthusiast Magazine's April issue honored Clear's Terroir Wine Cellars' sparkling wine as the â┚¬Å”Best Buyâ┚¬Â at $12. The magazine gave the Spanish-made wine 87 points. Clear, 34, started in the wine business in 1994 and worked his way up the ladder to become a senior wine consultant at age 21. â┚¬Å”One day I was sitting in a famous coffee chain and decided I want to produce and import quality wines from around the world,â┚¬Â the openly gay entrepreneur said. The wine is sold only lin Florida, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Georgia and Texas. To find the closest place to buy it, visit TerroirWineCellars.com.
