Posted on Sun, Sep. 18, 2011
Arsht hall could be in for name changeBy Jose Lambiet
gossipink@aol.com
Orlando L. Garcia / Para EL NUEVO HERALD
Miami Beach uber-philanthropist Sanford Ziff says he’s thinking about changing the name on venues housing nonprofits that he and his deceased wife Dolores supported.
Why?
Because at 86, the Miami Beach society stalwart wants the name to reflect his change of status: from widower to newlywed.
Ziff was married July 26 to Baroness Beatrice Clancy, 68.
So, within the next few months, you could be headed to the Sanford and Beatrice Ziff Ballet Opera House at the Arsht Center. The Sanford and Dolores Ziff opera house? That’s so 2010!
“I’m considering name changes, especially at the Arsht Center,” said Ziff, founder of Sunglass Hut. “I haven’t quite decided yet. I still have to confer with the board.”
Isn’t he expecting a backlash from the numerous moneyed friends that Dolores also left behind when she died of pneumonia Jan. 11?
“I gave $10 million to the Arsht Center, so I don’t expect it to be a problem,” Ziff said. “My friends have been wonderful about me getting married.”
Sanford and Dolores Ziff spent millions on universities, homeless shelters, museums, Jewish centers and arts nonprofits and were often rewarded with naming rights.
Arsht Center representatives did not return calls for comment. But one of Dolores’ four sons, Barr Keator of Davie, said he was “shocked and offended he’d [Ziff] even consider this. My mother moved him to supporting the Arsht project. She had the society connections.”
12 comments:
There was a good Miami Herald Editorial on this news:
Blinded by love — or ego
Fabiola Santiago fsantiago@MiamiHerald.com
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/20/2416900/blinded-by-love-or-ego.html#ixzz1YaeDuIGN
Fabiola said:
"And in closing, Mr. Ziff, a bit of advice: If you do make the name change, especially in future donations, make sure there’s a clause in the arrangement that forbids the baroness from discarding your name from the joint philanthropy when you’re gone. You know what they say about karma."
It is really hard to find anything too over-the-top in Miami. This story pushes the boundaries. This is the kind of thing people do, when the Titanic is sinking.
I feel somewhat ambivalent about Fabiola Santiago's column today. I personally feel what Ziff is doing is tacky, and disrespectful to his dead wife. But he is entitled to do what he wants with his money. If his tackiness affected the community in any way, I see the reason to publicly criticize him - but it doesn't.
Folks are going to the theatre, and they couldn't give 3 shits as to what the name is. What is important is that Ziff's millions did contribute to the PAC's viability.
I think it was kind of tabloid-ish of the Herald to have run that.
However, that said, it was hysterical to read Fabiola's line about protecting HIS name on the buildings after he dies. I can just see it now: The Baroness Bea and Joey Gersten Opera House......
That ol' sugar daddy should be ashamed of himself. Either he values his dearly departed wife or he doesn't. I mean the man is like Hugh Hefner with one foot in the grave. Good Lordy what's his obsession with his newest gold digger? Out of courtesy Sanford Baby please leave Dolores name intact or you are in the fight for your life when one night you fall asleep and don't wake up. Dolores will be there haunting your afterlife. Your multi-millionaire party will be over!
She has only been dead 8 months, he is made of stone.
The happy couple should leave some money to the National Trust. That 68-yr old Baroness looks like she is an expert in historic preservation (and I mean that in the nicest way - she is stunning for any age!)
Can you pleas report on the corruption in Homestead and given an exemption by our State Attorney?
Where do we live?
$10,000 electric bill at heart of Homestead investigation
Christina Veiga cveiga@MiamiHerald.com
.
Homestead’s former city manager and current mayor will not be charged in a case involving erasing a $10,000 electric bill tallied by a member of a well-known South Dade farming family.
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/19/v-fullstory/2416994/10000-electric-bill-at-heart-of.html#ixzz1YdIBxrip
for the record, the Manager is Sergio, did in Homestead exactly what he did in Doral and was fired for.
The state Attorney gave him another exemption in Doral too.
My my, how white her teeth are.
Wow Social structure has changed since viagra
Money can't buy class.
And Sanford just proved it.
The guy puts the much-needed money in the place after everyone was clamoring for major donor, now everyone wants to pile on. I would think after all that money to secure the place and promote the arts, that he should be able to call it whatever he wants.
Whoever doesn't like it, can come up with more money themselves to obtain the naming rights.
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