HEARTY SUCCESS: Chairman Tom Snow, CEO of Carlton Fields law firm, must be flipping cartwheels at the results of Saturday's wildly successful Heart Ball. The party raised $340,000 for the American Heart Association, one of the highest net totals for a bay-area agency.

That take came from 400 guests and sponsors wandering through Bev and Al Austin's stunning Sunset Park estate, champagne in hand. They eyed a cozy den lined with pictures of the Austins taken with different Republican politicos.

"Al's going to be checking IDs later. Any Democrats get thrown in the pool," quipped Dick Mandt.

Hyatt Regency Tampa's chef Jim Blackwell needed the hosts' five garages to prepare the filet mignon and shrimp. A white-gloved staff of 40 served dinner in a 120-foot, air-conditioned tent covering the tennis court, prompting honorary chairman Bob Martinez to ask the Austins to keep the air running so he could play tennis after the party.

Speaking of hearts, Liz Quisenberry's finger sparkled and William Woodroffe grinned as news of their engagement spread through the Heart Ball.

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MERCI BEAUCOUP: As if they were strolling the Champs Elysee in Paris, guests trekked to Lowry Park Zoo's Wallaroo Station Saturday night for Karamu XV. "A Night at Zoolin Rouge" began with can-can danseuses and cabaret chanteuses leading to a grand bistro setting. Le Menu? French cuisine, of course, from Chef Hans Hickel at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. Chandeliers sparkled in the trees. Fluffy white plumes feathered the tables.

Chairwoman Molly James got a Happy Birthday surprise as honorary chairwoman Catherine Straz marveled at perfect breezes for a black-tie ball.

Amy & the Hank Sinatras, whose song list covered Hank Williams to Frank Sinatra, played during an extended silent auction that featured dinner with Mayor Pam Iorio at Roy's, sold to the Strazes for $650.

All of this delighted the zoo's new chairman of the board, Fassil Gabremariam, who was also recently named to the Federal Reserve board representing North Central Florida. Maybe next year, he'll invite Alan Greenspan to Karamu.

Many guests, including JPMorganChase's Martin Lebovitz, lamented that organizers set Karamu and the Heart Ball on the same night. "Tell them not to do that again so we can support both."

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BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE, use your voice to eliminate hate, teaches the National Conference of Community and Justice. On April 1 at Higgins Hall, they honored four Silver Medallion Humanitarians who live that credo: Bill Heller, Fred Johnson, Guy King and Judy Rosenkranz.

EmceeJohn Wilson of WTVT-Ch. 13 presented awards posthumously to the widows ofBob Gilder andBob Saunders. Ellie Gilder stood as poet laureateJames Tokley read a poem in memory of the late civil rights heroes.

While introducing Rosenkranz, who serves on the board of the Union of the American Hebrew Congregations,Steve Bragin compared her to a duck: smooth on water but paddling furiously underneath. Professor Heller quoted Barbra Streisand when he said he's one of the "luckiest people who need people." He ran the University of South Florida-St.Petersburg campus for 10 years.

A marine and a mime is howJudy Lisi described Johnson, vice president of education at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, "a Renaissance Man."

Bob Gilbertson noted King's vision for the YMCA as his proud mother, Anne King, beamed. The 14th awards banquet organized by executive director Roy Kaplan raised $90,000.

SEAWORTHY SPRING: There was no bingo and no one got seasick on this fantasy cruise, which benefits the Spring domestic violence shelter. With a little imagination, the April 4 poolside cocktail party at the Radisson Riverwalk could have been the top deck of a cruise ship. ChairwomanSarah Coates and her committee arranged a ship photographer, duty-free shop (actually the silent auction) and disco dancing portside. A Mariachi band strolled between casino tables and buffets of fajitas and enchiladas.

Supposedly a cruise to Mexico, guests dressed tropical and nautical. Some, like Ken Morin, wore shorts and sandals. Morin Development underwrote the party with a $20,000 check.

"We didn't have to put out a dime," said sponsor co-chairwoman Mary Conte. The Fantasy Cruise was the first joint fundraiser of the Spring's daytime and evening auxiliaries. The $125-per-ticket party should net $115,000, which will go a long way to helping restore peace to violent families.

DOGGONE DASHING: Downtown Tampa went to the dogs Saturday at the Tuxes & Tails fashion show, a benefit for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Al-E-Mae's Adorable Attire outfitted dogs and cats to match nearly 20 media models includingJackie Barron, Rod Carter, Gayle Guyardo andNannette Miranda. Some models brought their own pets to the Radisson Riverwalk; others took the stage with strays. The big, big, big hit:Penny, a Great Dane on loan from the Humane Society, who wore a red sequinned kerchief and escorted"Parti"Marty Ryan of MIX 100.7.

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DATEBOOK

TONIGHT: Chrysalis Ball, formerly the Rainbow Ball, benefits Rainbow Family Learning Program in Plant City; University Club; 7-11 p.m.; $150; 673-4646, ext. 223.

SATURDAY: Best of Tampa Bay; sample foods from 50 restaurants to benefit the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center; 7-11 p.m. $60; 229-7827.

THURSDAY: VIVO Spring into Jazz Streetcar Hop; 6-10 p.m.; $25; 283-5023 or 852-8651.

APRIL 25: SilverSpoons & Sandcastles XII, cocktails and auction to benefit the Mayor's Beautification Program; 7:30 p.m.; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center; $60 before April 19th, then $75; 221-8733.

APRIL 26: Florida Coalition to Cure Parkinson's Disease; casino night and dinner gala; Hyatt Regency Tampa; 5 p.m.; $60; 974-3676.

APRIL 26: Opera Tampa Guild Gala; buffet prior, desserts following opening night of Otello; gala, $95; opera tickets, $24.50 and up; 222-1037.

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

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