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Amy Scherzer's diary

Givers gone wild

By AMY SCHERZER
Published April 22, 2005

No safari was ever as chic as Karamu, last Saturday's black-tie gala benefit for Lowry Park Zoo. While the men copied penguins, the women outdid even peacocks with their silk and sequined gowns.

Partying at the zoo gave the 450 guests an up-close look at what they were supporting. Camels, a New Guinea singing dog and reptiles mingled with guests during cocktails at the manatee fountain.

Chairwoma n Mindy Murphy and her committee spent days dressing up the 10,000-square-foot Saunders Pavilion with chandeliers and sweeping swaths of white fabric. Rows of wheat grass lined long banquet tables. Five projectors ran videotapes of the African animals on white drop cloths. WFLA-Ch. 8 host Brian Fasulo ran a lively auction, and Full Circle rocked an extra 30 minutes when the crowd refused to leave the dance floor.

Earlier in the week, Susan and John Touchton hosted 100 zoo patrons, called bwanas, at their home. Tiffany & Co. gave crystal votives to guests who donated at least $1,000. "Susan got the most corporate sponsors ever," Murphy said. That helped the event net $175,000.

In her last act as chairwoman, Murphy announced Laura Ferman Farrior as the next Karamu chairwoman.

NEW NCCJ DIRECTOR: The National Council of Community and Justice introduced its new director, Birgit Van Hout, at the 36th annual Silver Medallion dinner April 14 at Higgins Hall. The Belgium native was just hired to fill the big shoes of Roy Kaplan, who retired from NCCJ in September.

Four Silver Medallion Humanitarians were announced: lawyer Barry Cohen, Monsignor Laurence Higgins, nurs e Willa Carson and JP MorganChase. A new video by Linda Goldstein featured Steven Oudit, Bill McBride, Liana Fox, Joseph Jackson and Rabbi Richard Birnholz sharing how NCCJ has affected them. WTVT-Ch. 13 anchor s John Wilson and Kelly Ring emceed for the 450 guests . Dinner chairs Don Wallace and Crystal Coovert raised $140,000 with $175 tickets and sponsorships.

GENTLE ARMY: The Salvation Army auxiliary eyed the latest Stein Mart styles at the April 8 Spring Bonnet fashion show, organized by Betsey Hapner and co-chairwoman Carolyn McMullen. On the runway: development director Moira Hinson, former state Rep. Sandy Murman and longtime auxiliary member Barbara Byars.

During lunch, guests bid on the auxiliary's "Best Dressed" dolls and bears from last year's holiday giveaway. The auction raised $2,400 to buy more toys for needy children this Christmas.

Some familiar faces will be back next year to shepherd the auxiliary: Liz Bonney will serve a second term as president, Hapner will remain first vice president, and Dolores Deiter will stay on as second vice president.

MIRACLE OF TRANSPLANTATION: LifeLink Foundation treated hundreds to a free Florida Orchestra concert and fireworks on the University of Tampa waterfront April 9. Sponsors underwrote the evening, conducted by Susan Haig, raising $60,000 for the LifeLink Legacy Fund. Foundation president Dennis Heinrichs made a plea for organ and tissue donations. While Tampa General Hospital averages one transplant a day - kidney, pancreas, heart, liver and lung - statistics show that two people died waiting for a transplant during the concert.

ORCHESTRA SUPPORT: The Beethoven Brigade drummed up support for the Florida Orchestra at a mixer at Carl Lindell's Culbreath Isles home April 5. Violinist Oleg Geyer performed and shared his portfolio of caricatures of guest artists.

Troop leader Barb Izzi, founder of the Orchestra's VIVO support group, explained Beethoven Brigade's mission as "face-to-face fundraising." She announced five team captains, June Kittay, Matt and Marc Silverman, Michael Baugh and Renata Armitage. Each is charged with enlisting 100 team members to raise $2,000 each during a 25-week campaign.

MENTOR MISSED: Arts maven Marilyn Mars was "totally touched" when 200 friends surprised her Saturday morning with a Marilyn Fest at Tampa Theatre. She thought her husband, Tom Davidson, was taking her to breakfast until she saw her name on the marquee and the crowd on the red carpet. Emcee pal Andrea Graham called Mars the "mother of all art." Sara Scher crowned her with an artful pink lampshade "crown." Rose Bilal led a Supremes tribute. Mars moves to Charlottesville, Va., next month.

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

SATURDAY: Artists & Writers Ball benefits the Mental Health Care Foundation; 7 p.m.; Italian Club; $85 in advance, $95 at the door; 272-2244, ext. 246.

MONDAY: Red Cross Angels Silver Coffee membership drive; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; South Tampa home of Cheryl Adams; $20; 348-4820, ext. 834.

THURSDAY: Hillsborough Community College Presidential Showcase benefits student scholarships and academic projects; 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Yaffe residence in Avila; $250; 253-7114.

APRIL 30: Magnolia Ball benefits H. Lee Moffitt Cancer and Research Institute; 6 p.m.; A La Carte Pavilion; $400; 745-1403.

APRIL 30: Tuxes and Tails benefits Humane Society of Tampa Bay; 6-11 p.m.; Wyndham Harbour Island Hotel; $125; 876-4150.

MAY 4: Metropolitan Ministries Bridge Builders Luncheon; 11:30 a.m.; Tampa Convention Center; $500-$5,000 for tables of 10; 209-1000.

[Last modified April 21, 2005, 08:33:10]