There are many types of men in this world. Many kind, some are not. Others ruthless, some extraordinarily gentle. I’ve met many kinds of men, and today I’m sharing my story with you all, about the 4 wise men of St. Pete, Florida.
You are cordially invited to Eat, Drink, and be Merry with us at our Annual Holiday Celebration here at NOVA 535 downtown St. Pete, Florida on Friday, December 26, 2014. That’s the warm cheer that the 4 men in my story give to their city, day after day, decade after decade.
For almost 40 years Dan Harvey, of the generationally famous Harvey’s 4th Street Bar and Grill, along with good friends Steve Burns and Jon “RENO” LaBudde have been hosting an annual Holiday Party, and this year it was at the gorgeous, modern NOVA 535 Unique Event Space in downtown St. Pete. What a party it was!! It happened here because Mr. Wise Man #4, my pal and business partner Mike Mitchell, is always looking out for NOVA. And for what is best for St. Pete.
People asked me, What’s the cover? I replied, Free entry.
Is there anything to eat? Yes, Dan and his incredible Harvey’s 4th Street Grill team provided, cooked and served over 100 pounds of FRESH, incredibly delicious fish. Yes you read that correctly, ONE HUNDRED POUNDS. Thanks Dan Harvey!
Below: Dan Harvey, myself, Mike Mitchell, Steve Burns and Melody Stang, of Stang Realty, a lovely stand-in for Mr LaBudde who is so popular he’s holding court upstairs. =D
And thanks Dan to your excellent crew helping Team NOVA throughout the evening. Bravo! Harvey’s at 3121 4th Street North has been serving delicious meals for as long as I can remember, including the wild and infamous Full Moon Parties we used to attend back in the 90’s. Dan and his family truly understand customer service with a smile.
Jon LaBudde is the (unofficial) Mayor of St. Pete. He, and his Weekly Burg Blast, are everywhere. Known and loved (as far as I can tell, there are always the ignorant and haters out there) by us all. Click the photo below to join Jon’s weekly guide to what’s awesome in St. Pete.
Jon is always smiling, connecting and genuinely interested in helping St. Pete, and it’s residents and visitors, a better place to live work and play. More of the play side, as he’s been an owner / promoter / involved in so many successful endeavors, including the famous RENO BEACH Surf Shop on 4th Street and about 11 ave North and now a St. Pete restaurant, opening recently to rave reviews Reno’s Downtown Joint, at 4th street north between Central and 1st Avenue north, just east of the Post Office.
Fantastic live music was provided by the excellent 6 member Ocean Road Band, found right here in Tampa Bay. They kept the party hopping all night long, with a wide range of songs that appealed to the wide demographics of us party goers. Hats off to the Ocean Road Band!
If you’re looking for a fabulous party band, contact their rep at 727-423-9825.
Diana Pugliese and her beau Ken Flynn, below, strolled in about 9 pm ish. Diana and her sons Ed and Danny and I have been friends, brothers, since 1970s when we met in St. Jude’s school. Ed now runs the family business OMNI COPY, so if your in need of expertise in the copy / imaging services world, well here you go. Cheri her lovely daughter is likely traveling somewhere around the world now too! They are such an incredibly warm, kind, generous and loving family, plus lots of fun, they are truly family. Diana travels ALL OVER the world, and I keep joking that she’s near the point where she’d start a war (jokingly here) so countries would split and form new ones that she could visit. If you aren’t lucky enough to know her, she’s like a lady Buddha, one that cooks like a 5 star chef. =D She wanted a JUMP PHOTO here, and yup we got it. Love you all!
Music producer and nice guy johnny Green and the always lovely Lyn Orns here pictured below. Great people.
Diana and Ken tearing up the dance floor!
Gardner, below, was back in town, always great to see him. He was the civil engineer on the NOVA 535 project, and he did an excellent job. This was a difficult project, to say the least, and Gardner work has proved nothing short of 5 star!
Downtown Carol here, enjoying herself as always. You know she’s got a camera hidden on her somewhere.
In fact, if you’re looking for a fun, professional photog here in downtown St. Pete, then Downtown Carol’s Photography is a great place to start!
A BIG THANK YOU to TEAM NOVA fabulous day of coordinator Ruby Thomas, and super-star James, who found and set-up our gorgeous Christmas Tree!! =D Ruby is an excellent wedding planner and day of coordinator, if you happen to be looking!
BELOW; Legendary Steve Burns, left, along with super man Mike Mitchell here, enjoying a moment of long time friendship and holiday cheer! Thanks gentlemen, for EVERYTHING that you both do to help and support NOVA and our entire city. These two guys are the quieter, positive, constant productive force of side of the good works that happen here. Behind the scenes kinda guys. They are not the flashy front guys like Harvey and LaBudde, which we need and love, but these two are extraordinary gentlemen, and should have their own public holidays. Just saying out loud here.
A sincere thank you to both from me and from our community!
There are always some end of the night photos and bombing. Check out the next few photos, below, for the guy who landed with a perfect 10.
Someone here, no names mentioned, is fortunate her best GF pulled her aside, just in time, from a FLASH photo, 70’s style, as the Monday morning holiday cheer is never at the same level as it WAS on Friday night. ;-D
Happy Holidays everyone!
Mad Men himself, Mr. Jerry Bohannon, catching some stylish shots here with his lovely entourage.
My pal Jerry keeps talking about bringing a Mad Men party here to NOVA 535. Sounds great to me, what do you all think?
Some end of the night laughs and antics with our host and friend and mentor and brother Dan Harvey, along with co-hosts Michael Mitchell and Steve Burns, plus Jon’s lovely “stand-in” Melody Stang of St. Pete’s own real estate company Stang Realty. Jon, of course still has a line of people waiting to kiss his ring. =D
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THANK YOU GENTLEMEN!! You are truly the 4 Wise Men of St. Pete.
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Merry Christmas, and Happy New Years to us all!
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Speaking of New Years…if you’re working on Dec 31st, then read on….
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If you are looking to host a wedding, reception, mitzvah or corporate event, then look no further. After 1,000 successful events, perfected The NOVA Way, trust us with your memories today. GET STARTED online or call 727-821-6682.
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