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Amy Scherzer's Diary

New year, fun parties

By AMY SCHERZER
Published January 6, 2006

New Year's Eve celebrations danced in dollars for several organizations, ending the year with a bang.

The Florida Aquarium held its most successful event of the year, raising nearly $64,000 by luring 800 revelers for food and fireworks. Three DJs offered something for everyone.

The Florida Orchestra's associate conductor Susan Haig led a Hollywood medley after a gala dinner at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort. Guests were soon putting on top hat and tiara party favors as conductor Stefan Sanderling struck up a Fred Astaire tribute.

Co-chairs Aaron Fodiman and Margaret Word Burnside (in a glamorous long white fur stole) said the 280 guests raised $70,000. The sellout crowd included newly engaged Paul Hanna and Cheryl Hardy and Dick and Helen Minck, who announced their endowment of two orchestra chairs: principal cello and harp.

Haig returned to conduct pop classics and big band numbers for dancing until Southtown Fever Dance Band came on. Just before midnight, all flocked to the Vinoy's veranda for a view of the fireworks.

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Barenaked Ladies got national play during Anderson Cooper's coverage on CNN of New York's Times Square. Live feeds from the St. Pete Times Forum showed 10,000 fans singing with the band. What a deal: For $75, you got club level concert seats, unlimited drinks and dinner ($50 for season ticket holders).

Tampa YMCA's support group, Eighteen89, rocked with Life on Mars at the Lion's Eye Institute in Ybor City. Two busloads of fans of the Sarasota band paid $150 per person to hear vintage 1970s and '80s hits, with open bar and midnight breakfast included.

THE THREE ELDERS - Uwezo Sudan, James Tokley and Myron Jackson explained Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles of Kwanzaa, at the North Tampa African Alliance's sixth annual Kwanzaa Celebration. Many of the 100 guests, including organizer Rudean Crawley, dressed in colorful bubu and head scarves at St. Paul Catholic Church in Carrollwood on Dec. 29.

Pat Spencer of the NAACP, Francine Haig, vice president of the Knights of Peter Claver ladies auxiliary, and Evie Leamond of the Caribbean Cultural Association also spoke. Actor Ron Bobb-Semple, a New York actor who recently moved to Tampa, emceed the evening. Tokley and his wife, Joanna, joined him in singing Lift Every Voice.

Dinner came from Alex's BBQ and Lisa Hall prepared her Caribbean specialties. Sylvia Fontenette, Joann Harris, Mary Tower and other alliance members made the hors d'oeuvres and green punch, "the color of hope," Harris said. Decorations were green, black for unity and red, the "liquid of life."

WELCOME WAGON: Tampa's Outback Bowl, renowned for its hospitality committee, treated two teams as they went to a Tampa Bay Lightning game, Busch Gardens, GameWorks, beach day, pep rally and parade. What more could you ask for?

How about a luncheon for 80 coaches' wives at Roy's, organized by Angeles Ferlita on Dec. 27? A Polynesian dancer greeted them with Hawaiian leis; models in Neiman Marcus fashions swirled between courses.

"Everyone loves to be on Angie's committee because we love the meetings and afterwards, she gives us a party," gushed Betty Wood of the host committee.

Longtime friends Ann Mattison and Linda Parker ate together, despite mixed ties. Mattison's husband, Greg, is co-defensive coordinator for the University of Florida, but their son, Bryan, plays for the University of Iowa, where Linda's husband, Norm Parker, is a defensive coordinator.

More raves came Dec. 30 when MetLife and Mercedes-Benz sponsored the 20th annual Outback Bowl Presidents' Reception at A La Carte Pavilion. Some 1,800 visitors tackled six Outback-brand restaurants, gorgeous gooey desserts and the Thompson Cigar bar.

Guests filled their big plates with Carrabba's lobster ravioli, Roy's Dancing Ebi Rolls and Fleming's wicked Cajun barbecue shrimp. Lee Roy Selmon managing partners Brett Hull-Ryee and Dave Stevens dispensed steaming terry towels for their Hall of Fame rib-eaters.

Chairwoman Barbara Major booked magicians, palm readers and caricaturists to entertain the loud crowd. Joe Stagi's band kept them dancing.

UI president David Skorton didn't hesitate to point out his challenger, UF president Bernie Machen, holds two degrees from UI.

"Yes," said Machen, "but my paycheck comes from UF."

VODKA LATKE: Plenty of vodka (alas, no latke potato pancakes) kept the Vodka Latke party flowing on Christmas Eve at Code on Seventh Avenue in Ybor City. Singles and some young couples schmoozed with the Tampa Jewish Federation's young adult division. Admission was $20, but two canned goods for the Tampa Jewish Family Services Food Bank got you a free drink. Organizers filled 20 grocery bags.

Heidi Pechter and Monte Sichelman sparkled as they announced their engagement. The pair met at a TJF dinner. Notable bachelors on the scene: Matt Silverman of the Devil Rays and Bryan Glazer of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

- Amy Scherzer can be reached at scherzer@sptimes.com or 226-3332. To find more pictures and read the party blog, go to www.sptimes.com/party

TUESDAY: Florida Orchestra Guild Les Soirees; 7:30 p.m.; $45; Cindy and Brian Forte's Stillwater home; 948-1009.

JAN. 13: Mars vs. Venus exhibition; 6 p.m.; four male artists at Gold Dragon Gallery, 3508 S Manhattan Ave.; 832-2755; and four women artists at Lyssa Morgan Gallery, 4062 Henderson Blvd.; 281-1000. No charge.

JAN. 14: Krewe of Venus Coronation Ball; 6:30 p.m.; A La Carte Pavilion; invitation only.

JAN. 17: VIVO's Evening of Jazz featuring Paul Wilborn's Blue Roses and the music of Duke Ellington in memory of Ron Kempff to benefit the Florida Orchestra; 6:30 p.m.; $25 for VIVO members, $30 for nonmembers, $35 at the door; Hyatt Regency Tampa; 503-2341.

JAN. 19: WEDU Be More awards luncheon; 11:30 a.m.; $45; A La Carte Pavilion; 254-9338 ext. 2241 or toll-free at 1-800-354-9338 ext. 2241 or www.wedu.org

JAN. 21: Krewe of the Knights of Sant' Yago Royal Coronation Ball; 8 p.m.; A La Carte Pavilion; invitation only.

JAN. 29: Fit to be Fabulous, Ebony Fashion Fair benefits Tampa-Hillsborough Urban League Guild; 5 p.m.; $30; Tampa Theatre; 229-8117.

[Last modified January 6, 2006, 11:24:17]