Dallas, a pygmy killer whale undergoing rehabilitation at Mote Marine Laboratory’s Dolphin and Whale Hospital in Sarasota, died on Sept. 3.

Dallas had been treated for a number of conditions including digestive problems and lung issues including pneumonia since arriving at the hospital on June 16 of this year.

Preliminary results from a necropsy indicated that the cause of death was likely toxic pneumonia, a condition that can be fatal in as little as 12 to 24 hours. According to the facility, additional test results will have to be reviewed before a final conclusion can be reached.

“There is so little known about the disease processes and biology of many animals cared for at our hospital,” said Mote’s Chief Veterinarian Dr. Charles Manire in a press release, “even with constant improvements with medical equipment and treatments, these animals are still wild animals that must hide symptoms very well out of necessity.”

Dallas had been exhibiting typical behaviors including feeding, swimming and socializing with the other animal just before he died on Wednesday evening. The pygmy killer whale had arrived at the hospital on June 16 with another adult male pygmy killer whale, nicknamed Pete, after they were both found near Boca Grande. By reviewing the results of the necropsy, the facility hopes to prevent similar issues with Pete. Mote’s Dolphin and Whale Hospital will continue to monitor Pete around-the-clock.

Despite the current economic malaise, data from the Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension Service and the Hillsborough County Agriculture Industry Development Program shows an increase in agriculture sales estimates for 2007.

The county recently reported that 2007 sales of Hillsborough County agriculture products totaled $845,828,174, representing a bountiful increase of 10.8 percent from 2006. The crop with the highest sales in Hillsborough County continues to be strawberries ($343,275,000), representing 40.6 percent of the total county agricultural sales value.

Other primary crops included:

• Ornamental plants - ranking second ($207,575,011), with 24.5 percent of the county's agricultural sales
• Vegetables - ranking third ($115,000,000),with 13.6 percent of annual sales
• Citrus - ranking fourth ($34,358,720), with 4.1 percent of annual sales
• Aquaculture - ranking fifth ($33,685,700), with 4 percent of annual sales

These five crops together generate 87 percent of the agricultural sales in the county while using only 17 percent of the total land area devoted to agriculture. According to the county, the total land area devoted to Hillsborough agriculture is approximately 241,199 acres.

Average sales-per-acre have continued to increase since 1997, and agricultural commerce continues to have a positive economic impact in the Tampa Bay area, supporting related businesses such as banking, real estate, legal services, transportation, packaging, equipment, seed, agricultural suppliers and services and marketing firms.

To kick-start the momentum for the annual UnGala Gala and raise money for the John and Mable Ringling Museum, this year’s UnParty will be Friday, Sept. 5, 8 p.m. to midnight, at Mattison’s Forty One, 7275 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

The UnParty is a celebrated precursor to the event of all events, the UnGala Gala, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18, 6 p.m. to midnight, in the Ringling Courtyard at the museum. Attendees of the UnParty will have the first shot at purchasing UnGala Gala individual tickets while enjoying music, dancing and a scrumptious spread prepared by Mattison’s Culinary Group.

Admission to the UnParty will be $50 in advance or $60 at the door. Tickets are available online or by calling 941-921-3400.

The black-tie UnGala Gala is considered the most unconventional social event of the year in the Tampa Bay area, offering guests an opportunity to enjoy an avant-garde, festive atmosphere, extraordinary performances and incomparable décor in the museum’s picturesque courtyard.

Last year’s event generated $140,000 to bring expanded educational programming and traveling exhibitions to the Ringling Museum.

Pinellas art-lovers were saddened by the news that the Gulf Coast Museum of Art plans to cease operations at its Largo location effective first quarter, 2009.

According to David Barshel, president of the board of trustees stated, the decision to close the Largo facility was a difficult one and came only after many alternatives had been examined. Ultimately, though, the board determined the closing is the best way to insure the long-term viability of the museum in Pinellas. In a press release, Barshel said that “board members are committed and have agreed to continue their service,” and that they will be “developing a long-range plan for the relocation of the museum.”

The organization intends to open a new museum elsewhere in the county sometime in the future.

The museum, located at 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo, is part of Pinewood Cultural Park and is adjacent to Heritage Village and The Florida Botanical Gardens. GCMA has hosted both regional and national exhibits.

The upcoming and final show, Christopher Still: Coming Home, will open on Saturday, Oct. 11. The show will offer a unique retrospective covering over 30 years of work by this celebrated Florida painter, a native to the Tampa Bay area.