WHALE OF A PARTY: Ariel, Flounder and Sebastian made a big splash for Ronald McDonald House Charities at the Little Mermaid Storybook Ball on Saturday night at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort.
Ball chairman Vickii Block of Spellbound and co-chair Sharon Yerrid worked magic turning the Palm Court into a bubbling sea of coral reef and aquamarine. Honoree Angela Bassett posed for pictures, danced with sponsor Steve Yerrid and explained why she chose Boys & Girls Club-Pinellas Northside and the Royal Theater Club to be recipients of a $50,000 community grant. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Shaun King swam through the crowd.
Body paint - glittery waves and seashells - was the must-have accessory for bare shoulders in strapless gowns.
SHOP, DINE, DANCE: Visions of a new children's museum in the Channel District danced through the heads of 275 guests at the Diamonds are Forever gala on Saturday at Neiman Marcus. The chic department store hosted the dinner to benefit Kid City's capital campaign. Armani and Prada filled the menu between martinis and dinner from Mise en Place. Sales clerks assisted champagne-sipping shoppers.
Think of a person who effected change in your life, said Kid City chairwoman Heidi Shimberg, before rolling a virtual tour/video of the proposed museum.
WFLA-Ch. 8 anchor Stacie Schaible ran the live auction, getting $3,600 for two tickets to next year's Super Bowl in Houston and dinner before the game at an Outback Restaurant.
For $20, guests could buy a glass of champagne and a chance to win a $4,000 1-carat diamond. Allison Casper Adams left sparkling.
HOSPITALITY SWEETS: On a sunny May 6, members of the Salvation Army Auxiliary gathered to remember the late Margie Kynes for her devotion to the Hospitality House, a transitional living program for homeless women and children. Kennedy Garcia hosted the Silver Coffee, serving sweets and a spectacular view of Tampa Bay.
A few days later, at the Salvation Army Worship Center, the auxiliary installed its officers. President Anita Gillen was re-elected for her third term. Bobbie Dahl was named the new corresponding secretary, and the rest of the slate kept their positions.
LEAGUE LEGENDS: Junior League of Tampa President Nancy Mynard passed the gavel to Lisa Andrews at the annual dinner meeting at the Marriott Waterside on May 6. Two big surprises: Betsy Stagg was named Sustainer of the Year. "No one was ever more astounded, amazed and overwhelmed than me," Stagg said.
More tears came later when the league presented its first lifetime achievement award to the late Jean Ann Cone. June Annis accepted for the family.
Another highlight: Meeting Belinda Cohen and son Michael, who she met at an adoption picnic that the league sponsored.
TALK ABOUT TALENT: The 100-plus guests at Winners' Circle progressive dinner were blown away hearing five finalists of the recent Florida Orchestra's Young Artists Competition.
Three Culbreath Isles hosts participated Saturday, starting with hors d'oeuvres at Cheryl and Harvey Adams' home. Next came dinner at Carl Lindell's, where grand-prize winner Tihda Vongkoth played the marimba. Desserts awaited down the block at the home of Carolyn and David Harbert, and four more incredible teen musicians. The $60-dinner was catered by Orchestra Guild members.
EVERGREEN: The Jewish National Fund, known for planting more than 228-million trees and building reservoirs and dams in Israel, honored two Tampa brothers and their wives, Richard and Franci Rudolph and Ronald and Ann Rudolph, at the May 8 Tree of Life dinner. From Pinellas County, honorees were Dr. Mike and Sandy Slomka and Selma Kron. Guest speaker actor Hal Linden, better known as Barney Miller, told 700 guests at the A La Carte Pavilion that Israel is the only country that had more trees at the end of the 20th century than at the beginning.
AMARYLLIS BLOOMS: Former U.S. Rep. Sam Gibbons was 8 years old when his mother, Jessie Kirk Gibbons, was the first president of the Amaryllis Garden Circle (1928-1932). Speaking to the club at its 75th anniversary party May 7, Sam Gibbons remembered taking telephone messages for his mom, "but there were only four digits so I could handle it." Dues were 20 cents.
A champagne toast recognized 12 of the 15 living Amaryllis presidents. After lunch, members modeled vintage dresses from their own closets to bring back memories of one of Tampa's oldest and largest garden clubs.
Angela Weck, president, noted the club's first project was beautifying the Watrous and Howard avenue entrance to New Suburb Beautiful, a neighborhood of five streets and 350 houses. Now, 75 years later, they're at it again, installing a four-tiered fountain with bronze cranes at the entrance.
- To pass along tips to Amy Scherzer, reach her at 226-3332 or scherzer@sptimes.com
Datebook
TONIGHT: Cigar & Celebrity Celebration to benefit UCP/AdvanceAbility Solutions; 7:30 p.m.; Florida Brewing Co., 1234 Fifth Ave.; $80 or $150 per couple; 769-3492.
SATURDAY: Tampa General Hospital Moments in Time Gala, the Fabulous Fifties Rock and Bowl benefits Pediatric Emergency Care Center; 6:30 p.m.; Crown Lanes, 5555 W Hillsborough Ave; $250; 844-7273.
SUNDAY: Starry Nights wine tasting and auction benefits Mental Health Care Inc. Foundation; 4-6 p.m.; Cafe Paradiso, 4205 S MacDill Ave.; $50; 272-2878, ext. 246.
SUNDAY: Hillsborough Community College Foundation Presidential Reception, dinner, auction, shopping, student displays; 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Neiman Marcus; $100; 253-7114.
MAY 22: Taste of the Nation benefits America's Second Harvest of Tampa Bay and Beth-El Farmworker Ministry; 6 p.m.; silent and live auctions, dinner by guest chefs, Marriott Waterside; $150; 254-1190.
MAY 31: Mozart, Motown and More, dinner, auction, dancing to the Florida Orchestra; 7 p.m.; A La Carte Event Pavilion; $150; 286-1170, ext. 318.
