Coming of age in style, the Gulf Coast Latin Chamber marked its 15th anniversary with an event at the Girl Scouts Gulf Coast Event
and Conference Center, chaired by Ximena Granada and Fermin “JJ” Miranda. It is set to become an annual event known as the Quinceaeras celebration, a traditional gala in Hispanic culture commemorating a girl’s entry into womanhood at the age of 15. In attendance were many members and supporters of the Chamber including Dr. Inda Mowett, Tom Roberts, Jeremiah Guccione, Dr. Tony Tiberini, Delia Smith-Orth, Gerhard Toth, Ely and David Cumberland, Gerhard Toth, Ed Nugent along with Chamber president Carlos Cardenas. Couture for a cause Beautifully dressed ladies donning their one essential closet staple — the “little black dress” — gathered for the one-year anniversary of the Traveling Little Black Dress Reunion djeuner at the Hyatt Regency ballroom, all to raise money for the Child Protection Center of Sarasota. Co-chairs Veronica Brandon-Miller, Josephine Eisenberg, and Giovanna McGrath planned a perfect outing for fashion-conscious contributors, including Chris McKee, Jodi Estaban, Crista Southgate, Teri Shea-Klauber, Chris Pfahler, Wendy Mann Resnick, Sue Jacobson and Kyla Weiner. Keynote speaker, State Attorney Earl Moreland, addressed the ladies, and the few brave gentlemen, who attended the event, emphasizing the important and effective role the CPC plays in our community. Event creator Sharon Alexander wowed the sold out crowd as she stocked the runway with serious couture designs and accessories from Saks Fifth Avenue. Adding some extra flavor to the festivities, local models Jodie Hernandez, Pat Martin, Andrea Rogers, Rachel Hautamaki, Alex Miller and Chris Voelker sashayed on the catwalk.
Oh, JOY