On the town

Waterfront luncheon benefits art museum

Monday's bright sun and balmy breezes were the stuff of which Florida promotional materials are made, especially when compared with the bitter conditions in Washington and New York.

Those of us who attended an Affaires d'Art event to benefit the Museum of Fine Arts counted our blessings as we looked out at the water and savored the cuisine of Eric Neri, executive chef at the Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa.

Some time ago, Kathy Whittemore offered her home in Bayway Isles for the luncheon, but the kitchen still is under construction.

Neighbor Kathy Saunders came to the rescue. The home she and husband, Joe, have renovated was built in the late 1960s for John Carroll, who played Zorro in the movies.

Those of us who love to cook expressed unbridled envy of the kitchen, which is gorgeous and efficient.

Even Neri commented on the pot filler, the water spigot installed over the gas range. Demi chef Brian Shaffer assisted in the preparation of tasting plates, which showcased several culinary delights.

We sampled crispy lobster cakes with mango chutney and lobster remoulade; satay prawns with roasted sweet potatoes and pineapple salad and Thai peanut sauce; and tenderloin bruschetta with roasted tomatoes and white truffle oil. Dessert was an amazing chocolate mascarpone mousse with a raspberry glaze.

Also participating were Helen Hameroff, Sandy McGrath, Mary Wolfe, Gail Razook, Joyce Wilson, Bunny Johnston, Ann Jones, Donna Dorken, Carey Martinez, Pat Baldwin, Rhonda Sanderford, Katharine Ann Lake, Fran Risser and Arlene Rothman.

Kathy Saunders, who also contributes to Neighborhood Times as a freelancer, later told me she and Joe had attended an intimate gathering last week at the Tierra Verde home of Tampa lawyer Jim Wilkes. The guest of honor: Democratic Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, who hopes to be elected president in 2004.

Cupid's Casino at the Port of St. Petersburg on Saturday night found members and friends of the Junior League of St. Petersburg still celebrating the spirit of Valentine's Day.

Co-chairwoman Jennifer Maxwell, wearing a Burberry dress and red wrap, greeted guests with president Georgia Mattern, who was attired in a festive heart-themed sweater.

Other volunteers who were instrumental in the evening's planning were co-chairwoman Tiffany Lettelleir, Chloe Firebaugh, Mary Harris, Tracy Long, Lisa Piscatelli, Linda Punzak, Karen Quilty, Meredith Robinson, Lori Russell, Shane Smith and Sonja Stiles.

University of South Florida St. Petersburg's Bill Heller, who attended with his wife, Jean, long has been a member of the league's community advisory board. He was called upon to cut the enormous cake from Mazzaro's Italian Market that commemorated the city's centennial.

D'Amico Pasta Grill prepared the food, served from buffet stations and consumed at tables centered with top hats filled with playing card symbols.

A separate casino parlor offered patrons the opportunity to try their fortune at gaming. Music was by DeLeon.

The crowd included Gray Mattern, Cheryl and Gary Sanchez, Erin Shimer, Dave and Martha Jane Briggs, Aloyse and David Larson, Lisa and Scott Johni, Liz Curry, Linda Kay and Kerry O'Reilly, Niel Allen, Alice and Jim Thompson, Judy and Troy Holland, Margarita Abdo, Kim and Trey Bond, Jane and Duane Graves, Suzanne and Chris Haerther, Roslyn Haynes, Kanika and Terry Tomalin, Kari Mainelli, Carrie Johnson, Linda and David Punzak, Colleen Russo, Melody and Brad Stang, Penny Wallace, Janet Raymond, Barbara Johnson, Mary Wyatt Allen, Anne and Steve Anderson, Lupi and David Coffin, Amy Nolan, Michelle Pittman and Julie Blanshan.

Todd Olson, the new artistic director at American Stage, held his slumbering daughter, Corinna, in his arms Sunday night as he greeted members and friends in the theater. Olson, his wife, Charlotte, their daughter and son, Jonas, moved from Nashville this year and are settling in Seminole.

He was selected from 135 candidates.

Managing director Lee Lowry and Al Karnavicius introduced Olson and his family.

Also greeting them were Bill and Marion Ballard, Mary Myers, Dick and Helen Minck, Robb and Susan Hough, Allen Loyd, Tom Block and Susan Alexander, Dean McCane, Bruce and Mary Ann Marger, Ira and Beverly Mitlin, Donna Fleece, Nancy Karnavicius, Tinker McKee, Brian Reale, Fred Wilcox, Al May, Dr. Gary and Susan Osher, Ed. Cassidy, Mary Wyatt Allen and Diane Bailey.

Robert Danielson did much of the food preparation for the event, with other board members contributing pastries and baked goods.

My Tampa colleague Amy Scherzer reports that Lou Piniella swapped a putter for a steak knife this year as the Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay replaced his annual Celebrity Golf Classic with the "Piniella at the Palm" dinner on Sunday.

Tickets were $250 each, limited to 100 guests. The Palm Restaurant donated the five-course surf-and-turf dinners (Nova Scotia lobster and prime aged New York strip steak), paired with five dinner wines.

Cheryl Hill is the new general manager of the Palm.

Hosts/underwriters Sharon and Steve Yerrid thanked Piniella, new manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and guests, including Jim and Kristie Hellinger of Seminole, Tampa Mayor Dick and Dr. Linda McClintock Greco, Rays general manager Chuck and Cheryl LaMar and Rays managing partner Vince and Lenda Naimoli.

It was a rare sighting -- Mrs. Naimoli without her twin, Glenda Young, who was babysitting for her three grandchildren.

"I feel half naked without her," Mrs. Naimoli said.

LOOKING AHEAD

March 1

QUEEN OF HEARTS BALL: 45th annual event benefits Pinellas Association for Retarded Children (PARC), A Brighter Day. Dinner, dancing, silent auction, Queen of Hearts presentation. Black tie. 6:30 p.m. Hilton St. Petersburg, 333 First St. S. $95. Reservation deadline: today. (727) 894-8484, ext. 223.

March 7

SOIREE ON THE BAY: Florida Orchestra Guild Designers' ShowHouse Gala. Cocktail buffet, dancing. Black tie optional. $50. Reservations received until Feb. 28. 344-5404.

-- Mary Jane Park can be reached at (727) 893-8267; fax (727) 893-8675; e-mail park@sptimes.com; P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.

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