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Amy Scherzer's diary

A taste of California

By AMY SCHERZER
Published February 11, 2005

It was anything but an average cheese and cracker wine tasting when 75 California winemakers paired with 21 local restaurants for "A Tasting of Napa Valley Wines" at Raymond James Stadium's club lounge.

Indeed, the Napa Valley Vintners' promoted the Feb. 2 benefit for Abilities Foundation as a "fantasy camp for oenophiles and epicureans."

Escargot from the Salt Rock Grill. Maine lobster pastry puffs from StarShip yacht. Pepper-crusted lamb from Marchand's Bar and Grill. Seared tuna from Island Way. Crab bruschetta from Cafe Anna. Mussels in coconut lime curry from Catch 23. Desserts to die for from Cafe Ponte.

Every two years, the Napa Valley winemakers hold tastings in fewer than a dozen cities, and it's a coup that Tampa made the list.

"They love us," said Frank De Lucia, executive director of Abilities, which helps people with disabilities find jobs and housing.

Some of the 2,000 guests were connoisseurs who paid a VIP price of $150 to arrive early and talk to the vintners. Others paid $100 to attend at 7 p.m. De Lucia expects to raise at least $100,000 when the silent auction results are added up.

An after-party at SideBern's was just as enticing. Designed to lure 20- and 30-somethings who might order martinis over merlot, 30 of the vintners hosted Nightlife Napa Valley. There, more than 400 feasted on chef Jeannie Pierola's amazing buffet, for $20, plus another $10 for Abilities. Best deal ever.

"Jeannie said she'd blow us away. She did," said Howard Sachs, treasurer of the Abilities Foundation.

Luckily, Luis Salaman was there because he had an extra case of wine glasses in his car when supplies ran out. Salaman credits the turnout to six young professional groups: Avant Garde (Tampa Museum of Art); Contemporaries (Museum of Fine Arts); Emerge Tampa (Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce); Tampa Bay Uncorked; the Zodiac Group (Dali Museum); and the Balcony Club (Tampa Theatre).

GONE FISHING: The next night, the Balcony Club cast a wide net to hook 75 young professionals for its "Fish, Film and Art" reception. The fish: sushi hors d'oeuvres donated by Matt McCrimmon of Franklin Street Sushi. The film: Golden Globe winner The Sea Inside. The art: Burt Lancaster's interesting Gyotaku fish rubbings.

Chairman Jonathan Ellis raved about the group's growth. More than 50 members paid $100 dues, which includes free admission to movies and a T-shirt that says Megaplex Schmegaplex. In the first six months, the Balcony Club raised $6,500 for the historic theater.

HISTORY PERSONIFIED: Read the story of women who walked the walk in Doris Weatherford's new book, Real Women of Tampa and Hillsborough County From Prehistory to the Millennium. The author happily autographed the first copies Feb. 1 at the University of Tampa's Grand Salon. The Athena Society, a group of professional women committed to promoting equality, commissioned the book more than a decade ago. An Athena founder, the late Nancy Ford, initiated the book; member Sandy Frye followed through.

Mayor Pam Iorio thanked Weatherford for getting her hooked on politics. Three women read excerpts: Annette DeLisle on the 1530s; Lois Gaston on the Civil War era; and Leah LoSchiavo on the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941.

Then, the real women lined up to have their copies autographed, including Delia Sanchez, Helen Gordon Davis, Anne Kantor, Juel Smith, Arthenia Joyner, Sara Romeo, Fran Davin, Liana Fox and 50 others, most of whom are named in the book.

LISTEN UP: Tips on parenting and cash donations helped to further the Ophelia Project's mission at a workshop and luncheon Feb. 4. "Girls, Boys and Bullying" began with a coffee talk by Nancy Gruver, author of How to Say It to Girls at the A La Carte Pavilion. Kathy Masarie, a Portland, Ore., former pediatrician, advised an audience of 420 people, mostly moms.

Bullies are not born - aggressive acts are modeled, Masarie said. "The only one you can control is you, so be the change you want to see."

Be direct and trust yourself, she added. Other than Dr. Spock, don't take experts too seriously.

Ophelia Project founder Liz Kennedy introduced the new executive director, Norrine Russell, who introduced Ophelia ambassador Andrea Ciotti, 15. A Middleton High sophomore, Ciotti explained how the group made her a leader. Tready Smith asked for donations with a moving recollection of how her mother stopped a hurtful bullying experience when she was a seventh-grader.

SCORE: The 13 Ugly Men watched Super Bowl XXXIX with 500-plus partiers Sunday at Splitsville at Channelside. Some clustered around an outdoor screen. Others watched and bowled inside. A $20 donation was collected for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.

Without being asked, the football pool victors handed their winnings to the Marines at the party. Later this month, three Ugly Men plan to fly to Washington, D.C., to present the proceeds from the party at a veterans hospital.

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

SATURDAY: Love Notes brunch and fashion show benefits Florida Orchestra Guild; 10:30 a.m.; Wyndham Harbour Island Hotel; $55; 633-7988.

SATURDAY: To Life and Liberation dinner benefits the Florida Holocaust Museum; 6:30 p.m.; A La Carte Pavilion; $200; (727) 820-0100, ext. 243.

SATURDAY: Academy Prep Gemstone Gala Ruby Ball; 6 p.m.; Hyatt Regency Tampa; $200; 248-5600 or www.academyprep.org

MONDAY: Florida State Fair annual Governor's Luncheon; noon; Charles M. Davis Special Events Center; $20; 621-7821, ext. 216.

TUESDAY: Les Soirees to benefit Florida Orchestra Guild/Tampa; 7:30 p.m.; Berkman residence; $45; 948-1009.

FEB. 18: LAMPlighters Luncheon of Light; fashions from Saks Fifth Avenue; 11 a.m.; Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay; $75 to benefit Joshua House and Metropolitan Ministries; 250-3737.

FEB. 20: Mardi Gras tea dance, Affaire of the Heart auction benefits Stageworks; 5:30-7:30 p.m.; St. Bart's Island House; $35; 251-8984.

[Last modified February 10, 2005, 12:16:01]