Fundraisers bring $100K to PCF
After holding, organizing and hosting several fundraisers last fall, The Radiant Group – which is the parent company of The Ritz Ybor – proudly presented a check for $105,000 to the Pediatric Cancer Foundation earlier this month. The organization has funded more than $3.8 million to researchers targeted less toxic, more targeted treatment of pediatric cancer worldwide. In late December, The Ritz Ybor hosted its annual Miracle on 7th Avenue spectacular, which featured local music and dancing acts, catered refreshments and Mr. and Mrs. Claus as a way to launch the 2012 holiday season. Watermark was a proud sponsor of the celebration and the event was emceed by none other than Watermark editor Steve Blanchard and life and business coach Carla Vaughan. The two have known each other for years and most recently emceed Talent Quest Florida, which is owned by Blanchard and his partner, at the Strawberry Festival in Plant City earlier this month.
Playground finds ‘Balance’
The guys and gals from Balance Tampa Bay participated in a massive public service project on March 2, helping to build a large playground in Tampa Heights. Most volunteers spent more than eight hours constructing the equipment and making the area safe for local children. Balance Tampa Bay teamed with national, non-profit KaBoom to complete the project. In all, nearly 150 volunteers worked on the project. Balance Tampa Bay has helped several local non-profit organizations and in February, it teamed with Watermark for Watermark Wednesday at Ceviche in South Tampa.
Ball of their own
Lady Gaga fans were crushed when word spread that Mother Monster herself had to cancel her Tampa appearance because of her hip injury. But that didn’t stop her Little Monsters from going on with the celebration. On March 13, a Born This Way Ball of Our Own was held at Factoria on 7th Avenue in Ybor City. Scheduled performers included Blayze Le Shade, Pleasure Pixels Burlesque Troupe, Kora Lane and Jade Embers. The night was emceed by Domonic Botto.
Get soaking wet
Speaking of Watermark Wednesdays, the popular networking and social returns this month to Quency Lounge in Largo on Wednesday, March 20. The social begins at 6 p.m. and like with other events, expect a large number of raffle prizes and door prizes to be awarded throughout the evening. This month’s Watermark Wednesday will take on a theme, thanks to the upcoming touring production of Pricilla, Queen of the Desert, coming to the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. Word is that club manager Steven Rodriguez has a few surprises up his sleeves, which we hopes translates to some impressive Pricilla performances from local drag icons. For more on Watermark Wednesdays, find the event on Facebook.
