Amy Scherzer's Diary

By AMY SCHERZER, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 21, 2003

CHISELING SUCCESS: The Chiselers' Market packed the University of Tampa with used clothing, furniture, toys and bargains collected and sold Saturday by 250 members to pay for ongoing restoration on the historic former hotel. But first, they hosted a preview cocktail party for 500 -- with live and silent auctions -- that raised $100,000, in addition to Market sales that topped all previous years. Everything cost twice the price it would the next day, like the precious linen pillows Nell Rorebeck makes just for the Chiselers.

Honorary party chairwoman Phyllis Russell, 78, greeted guests. (She seemed to know them all.) Last year, the Chiselers created the Phyllis Russell Award to honor the 12 years she ran the warehouse. She oversaw all the categorizing and repair work to get goods ready for sale. Russell was the first recipient; the next award goes to the provisional member who does the most work.

"For years we shared space in the UT maintenance building with the diesel mowers and the fertilizer and the Buccaneers," recalled Russell. "Imagine these little ladies and these huge football players." For the last five years, the stuff has been stored in the Krusen Building, also on North B Street.

HOME RUN FOR THE KIDS: A baseball fantasy came true for fans meeting almost 50 legendary players at the 11th annual Baseball for Kids benefit for All Children's Hospital and the Children's Home. Vida Blue, Goose Gossage, Dave Parker, Rollie Fingers, Gary Bell -- a player joined every dinner table at the A La Carte Pavilion on Saturday. No one grumbled about signing autographs or posing for pictures. Many were thrilled to be so well remembered.

Wade Boggs homered as honorary chairman and auctioneer, getting $1,000 for his jersey and helping three-time All Star Jim Thome get $3,000 for a Sandy Koufax jersey. Former Yankees pitcher Andy McGaffigan gave the invocation with a special prayer for former Phillies pitcher Tug McGraw, who has cancer.

A few left disappointed that Billy Bob Thornton and former Eagles rocker Joe Walsh were no-shows. Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson read an apology from Thornton. He got caught up playing Davy Crockett in his film The Alamo, but sent a $5,000 donation instead. Walsh was on tour.

"We'd been practicing Private Radio (from Thornton's CD) to rock with him," said Tim Hunt, lead vocalist and acoustic guitarist with Full Circle. The band found out during a sound check that afternoon that the Academy Award winner wasn't coming. Instead, pitcher Jim "Mudcat" Grant joined the band for Mustang Sally.

GEM OF A CAUSE: Ol' Blue Eyes set the theme for White Gloves & Diamonds. The Rat Pack crooned Frank Sinatra hits and models showed off gems worn over long white gloves. Queens' Wreath Jewels of St. Armand's Circle donated a percentage of everything sold, plus the sales of the live auction at the March 13 luncheon, to the Florida Holocaust Museum.

Museum vice president John Loftus announced that all proceeds go to the Teaching Trunk program. Dozens of trunks are filled with literature and video-based lessons about the Holocaust, packed according to grade level and shipped to schools all over the country.

EXPOSURE: Almost 300 garments by 90 designers made up "Over Exposed," the International Academy of Design and Technology's annual show of student designs at the Tampa Convention Center. EasterWest's combinations of leotards, leg warmers, tutus and boxing gloves pumped aerobically down the catwalk. For eco-conscious compulsive shoppers, AmbuRzinn recycled shopping bags into capris and dresses. Shakella updated Grandma's doilies to halter top and sundresses.

Some paid homage to the '80s: sadistic stiletto ankle boots, acid wash denim, graffiti logos and knee-high baseball socks with heels.

Music varied from loud to louder as models pranced to creatively spliced romantic classics and perky pop songs. The audience of nearly 3,000 cheered the super Bucs fashion finale. Stylish hair came courtesy of Tribeca. Proceeds from the March 14 show benefit the American Cancer Society.

CONGRATULATIONS, LEE: We always knew she was distinctive; now everyone knows. Lee Leavengood was named one of four Women of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of Suncoast Council.

The assistant director of the Institute on Aging at the University of South Florida, Leavengood is a founding member of Florida Women's Network and charter member of the Athena Society.

She volunteered with the Girl Scouts for years, just like the March 11 luncheon guest speaker Alma Powell, wife of Secretary of State Colin Powell. The other role models are P. Buckley Moss, Holly Duncan and Frances Stavros of Pinellas County.

-- To pass along tips to Amy Scherzer, reach her at 226-3332 or scherzer@sptimes.com .

SATURDAY: VIVO hosts swing dancing on the SS American Victory in the Channel District, 7:30 p.m. $25 in advance, $35 at the door. 228-8766.

SATURDAY: Friends of the Arts Jazzy Bootleg Bash benefits Tampa Museum of Art, 8 p.m., Mise en Place, 442 W Kennedy Blvd. Period attire encouraged. $40 in advance, $50 at the door, cash bar. 282-7210.

SUNDAY: Oscar Night America benefits historic Tampa Theatre, 7 p.m., 711 Franklin St. $45, includes dinner; $25, includes hors d'oeuvres. 274-8981.

THURSDAY: Showcase of the Arts benefits USF College of Visual and Performing Arts Scholarships; 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Tampa Port Authority Terminal No. 6; $50; 974-2301.

THURSDAY: GreenFest Luncheon, guest speaker Steve Bender, "The Seven Deadly Sins of Gardening"; 11:30 a.m.; Tampa Yacht Club; $35; 254-0562 for reservations.

MARCH 28: GreenFest Patrons' Party; special guest Chip Callaway, landscape designer; home of Berdina and Tommy Morgan; 6:30 p.m.; $75; 877-7177.

MARCH 28: Cattle Barons' Ball benefits American Cancer Society. Live auction, midway games, casino, pig races; 7 p.m.; A La Carte Pavilion; $150; 254-3630, ext. 307.

MARCH 29: Sea Grapes food and wine tasting benefit for the Florida Aquarium; 7-10 p.m.; $50 ($45 for members, $55 after March 26); 273-4568.

MARCH 29: BASH MASH "R&R in Tokyo" benefits American Red Cross; 6:30 p.m.; dinner-dance, auction; $150; (877) 741-1444.

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