Miss Vi Noy Pours It on, as She Pours Drinks at a Major Charity Wine Event

ST. PETERSBURG - Brownies, wine and thee... Can you think of a better way to spend Saturday night?

Miss Vi Noy scored a perfect people-watching spot at the 22^nd annual Abilities Foundation Wine Tasting & Silent Auction. She saw a local celebrity, quaffed some wonderful wine and also tasted the best brownies in St. Pete!

Now you know I can’t resist seeing the Who’s Who and helping out a good cause, so when I was asked to pour spirits with Tim Amstutz at Republic National Distributing Company’s table— yes, my second time playing bartender— I couldn’t say, No!

Before I got behind the bar, I decided to scope out the VIP reception, almost immediately seeing ABC Action News anchor Wendy Ryan. I bounced up and down and waved, like any starry-eyed fan.

I had been trying to take a few pics of the long line at the FlameStone American Grill table for Filet Mignon Sliders, Bloody Mary Cocktail Shrimp and a side of guacamole, when I had to do a double take to make sure it was Wendy in Person.

But I didn’t let that delicious food distract me, it definitely was she. She looked just as amazing in person as on air—one of the classiest dressed women at the event, in my opinion, which is the only one that counts!

Let me tell you, some of the ladies’ fashion choices were strikeouts— a few too many were dressed for clubbing and not for a classy wine tasting event. Some women in Tampa Bay confuse a tight, short sheath or hot pants and stilettos for high fashion. Ladies, it takes more than amplifying your assets to be stylish. This is not an audition for the "Housewives of Pinellas County" TV show.

But I have to applaud everyone just for showing up and taking part. The event supports disabled veterans returning from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that’s what matters.

In the past 21 years, this event has raised $3.38 million to improve the lives of Floridians with disabilities, and I don’t think the crowd disappointed this year.

I know the wine distributors and local restaurants— from the Columbia at the Pier to on 4 thStreet to Snapper’s Sea Grill and Madfish in St. Pete Beach— did not.

But for Vi, the icing on the cake, was actually Barry’s Gourmet Brownies— brownies I wouldn’t even had a chance to try if it weren’t for a couple of nice guests who came to the table where I was working.

“You must try the fudgiest brownies ever!” they insisted and returned a few minutes later with a plate.

Scrumptious doesn’t even begin to describe these brownies. I have to admit I had more than one. Just how many? I’m not telling!