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Amy Scherzer's diary

Kid City gala: sweet

By AMY SCHERZER
Published May 20, 2005

Gumballs, lollipops and chocolate kisses grew out of silk flower centerpieces at the Imagination Gala, an annual benefit for Kid City, the Children's Museum of Tampa. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory inspired these and other mostly edible decorations, including giant papier-mache mushrooms filled with icing, at Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's Morsani Hall on Saturday night. Sisters Nancy Tunstall and Kathy Okash created the clever candyland with help from Alpha Delta Pi sorority.

Museum CEO David Penn and Mayor Pam Iorio sweetened the evening describing Kid City's future building and pointing out the renderings on display. Money raised at the gala, about $90,000, will be spent on exhibitions. Penn noted that one table of sponsors, alumni of Leadership Tampa 2004, donated $20,000 to the museum.

Keeping the spotlight on children, Berkeley Prep students dressed up as Oompa Loompas and other Willy Wonka characters to mingle with the 300 guests. During dinner, the talented Entertainment Revue kids sang and danced. Then, auctioneer Stacie Schaible of WFLA-Ch. 8 and gala co-chairwoman Tammy Waugh shouted over the noisy crowd to sell a Tanzanian photo safari for two. Gala co-chairwoman Donna Howe Williams got it for $8,000. Avowed bachelor Kevin Cohen won the Wonka candy bar drawing. His prize - a 1-carat diamond. When his number was called, his family , Barry and Casasa Cohen, Carrie and Steve Cohen an d Les and Hope Barnett, roared over the funky dance music of Bus Stop.

SIPPING WITH SEA URCHINS: Krewe of Nautilus, a club of environment-minded folks, organized the fourth annual Sea Grapes wine tasting benefit for the Florida Aquarium on Saturday. Wine merchants poured samples for 650 guests, who ate their way through 20 restaurant buffets. More than 200 VIPs paid $225 to get an early start and a pair of Waterford crystal goblets. Lines formed for Mimi's Cafe, Bonefish Grill and newcomer Harbour 42 Cafe, opened by 42nd Street Bistro owners Mary Ann Stiles and Barry Smith in the Harbour Island Athletic Club.

Coolest item in the silent auction: a 1943 nickel Coca-Cola bottle vending machine. In all, Sea Grapes raised $60,000 for veterinary care and educational programs at the aquarium.

AWESOME ANGIE: Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay named longtime volunteer Angeles Ferlita as their 2005 Community Hero during dinner at the Palm restaurant Sunday. Known for her fundraising prowess and generous patronage, Ferlita has organized countless charity events, including auctions, fashion shows and galas.

"Angie knows how to make things happen," Boys & Girls Club president Roy Opfer told more than 100 Ferlita fans. Her name will be the first on a recognition wall at the club's new metro center, 1307 N MacDill Ave.

Former Mayor Dick Greco, who knew every bidder by name, auctioned off a Palm-catered dinner for six to Angel "Pichi" Oliva for $2,800. Palm manager Cheryl Hill Nelson also donated the food and wine at the $250-ticket "Hero" dinner, and her staff donated their time. That helped the event raise $50,000.

In typical modest Angie fashion, Ferlita thanked the business owners who donate to her many fundraising projects. "Without them, I couldn't do what I do," she said.

GO RED: One look at your body shape and Dr. Marie Savard can predict your future health, said the author of Apples and Pears, The Body Shape Solution for Weight Loss and Wellness. Savard spoke to 250 women at the Go Red luncheon May 10 at Raymond James Stadium, a benefit that raised $95,000 for the American Heart Association.

"The greater the inches, the greater the risk of heart disease," Savard advised the group.

Most of the guests wore red, including chairwoman Sandy Murman and honorary chairwoman Erika Wallace. A red dress should remind women to think about their heart health. The red cocktail dresses displayed came from sponsor Macy's.

Cooking demonstrations, health screenings and a choice of three workshops preceded lunch, which started out healthy. A green salad arrived topped with chicken, mango, kiwi and strawberry. But dessert - cheesecake - raised some eyebrows.

Emcee Gemma Gaudette, WTSP-Ch. 10 anchor, concluded by asking the ladies to donate the amount they would spend on a hair cut and color. Put in that perspective, many women reached for their checkbooks.

LEAGUE LADIES: Junior League members had fun modeling fashions from Georgette's of Old Hyde Park during the May 10 annual meeting at the Marriott Waterside. Also a hit: a sneak preview of a video highlighting the league's 80,000 annual service hours.

Sustainer president Sally Hardee was called on to announce Martha Robbins Hall as Sustainer of the Year. Mrs. Hall joined the league in 1941.

President Susan Thompson's final task, before passing the gavel to Kathleen Lopez, was to present a Lifetime Commitment Award to Louise Lykes Ferguson. Stella Thayer introduced her mother, recalling that years ago, she worked in the Junior League thrift store and "clothed many ladies of the night." More recently, her "tree hugger" mother has been attending neighborhood association and garden club meetings.

TODAY: Tampa General Hospital Foundation eighth annual Moments in Time gala; 7:30 p.m.; Columbia Restaurant; $250; 844-7273.

TODAY: Flock Around the Clock; live auction of one-of-a-kind birdhouses benefits Audubon Society; 7-11 p.m.; Florida Aquarium; $45 in advance, $50 at the door; 228-4257.

TODAY: "Strut," Academy of Design and Technology Design Expo and Fashion Show, benefits the student scholarship fund; doors open at 5 p.m., fashion show at 8 p.m.; Tampa Convention Center; $10 to $500; 889-3400.

SATURDAY: Storybook Ball, The Jungle Book, benefits Ronald McDonald House Foundation; 6 p.m.; A La Carte Pavilion; $300; 258-6430.

SATURDAY: Cattle Baron's Ball benefits American Cancer Society; 7 p.m.; Port of Tampa Cruise Terminal 3; $200; 254-3630, ext. 304.

SATURDAY: Cure from Ipanema black-tie gala benefits Lisa Eichenholtz Memorial Fund and ovarian cancer research; 7 p.m.; Wyndham Harbour Island Hotel; $100; 833-1625.

[Last modified May 19, 2005, 08:41:13]