Here's to hearty hearts
By AMY SCHERZER
Published March 10, 2006
Heart programs at three hospitals beat stronger since the Stepping Out gala zoomed Out of This World, a futuristic theme picked by the Foundation of St. Joseph's Hospitals to ensure a healthy future for cardiac care at three locations.
Each hospital honored a distinguished physician Saturday at the Hyatt Regency Tampa. Dennis Pupello, Jorge Arroyo and Ralph Swank received Lladro porcelain figurines of physicians provided by Colonial Bank.
But the spotlight beamed on board member emeritus Jean Yadley, who joined St. Joseph's Development Council in 1971. He has chosen the menu for all 13 Stepping Out galas, using his Chaine de Rotisseurs expertise. He's also past president of the Downtown Rotary Club, logging perfect attendance for 48 years.
Fiber optic centerpieces sparkled in the ballroom, done up in three shades of blue Spandex. Sponsor Verizon passed out glowing party favors as Southtown Fever kept 625 guests dancing to Motown sounds. Chairwoman Donna Tolson expects the gala to raise $250,000.
SINGLES SOLD: About 150 tickets were sold to Tampa's Top Twenty Bachelor-Bachelorette auction before the doors even opened March 2. So imagine organizers Janet Smith and Lynn Haag's thrill to see another 100 people show up for their first benefit for Dress for Success, an agency that collects career clothing for low-income women.
WQYK-99.5 FM's Dave McKay hawked 20 desirable singles as artist Jules Burt and WTVT-Ch. 13's Russell Rhodes sang their praises. The rules: Bidders must be of the opposite sex and dates were nontransferable. Kit Stewart of Kit's Well Heeled and Well Dressed described their outfits, including the menswear from Urban Body. Tinatapas served gazpacho and other snacks.
It took some nerve, but a Yankees game and boating with Reeves Judy sold to Greg Hughes for $900. Natalie Carr fetched $800 for golf and dinner at Armani's. WTSP-Ch. 10 news anchor Mario Diaz went for $800. Susanna Martinez's Saddlebrook golf package reached $675.
Troy Taylor, shirtless to show off his abs, was a steal at $255 for dinner at Capital Grille and a Brazilian dance show.
Terri Tomlinson bid $500 on Dunedin firefighter Brandon Young, who offered dinner and "private CPR."
"I fell for the uniform," Tomlinson said.
TOP DRAWER: Lamplighters and guests arrived as dressed, accessorized and coiffed as the Saks Fifth Avenue models they came to see at the annual Luncheon of Light benefit for Metropolitan Ministries and Joshua House on Feb. 27 at Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay.
"Almost every table comes to lunch together, then moves the party to Saks after lunch to make a day of it," said event chairwoman Susy Lienhart. She expects to raise $75,000. Saks will host a luncheon April 6 for $250 and higher patrons.
Bet those supermodels didn't eat that fabulous peanut butter martini dessert made of mousse, coated in dark chocolate and rimmed in crushed peanuts.
AND THE WINNERS ARE: Tampa Theatre and Oscar Night America chairwoman Nancy Kipnis, who raised $50,000 filling the movie palace with 400 VIPS to watch a live telecast of the Academy Awards on Sunday.
This year, almost all 600 guests dressed up in Oscar-chic. They underwent a fashion critique on the red carpet from entertainer Pat Fenda as they emerged from a limo ride around the block. Not so easy this year as the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts was still packing up.
The VIP patrons arrived early for champagne, hors d'oeuvres and a happy birthday sing-along with Marilyn Monroe, who would be 80 this year, like the historic theater. The other 200 guests arrived later and ate unlimited popcorn while watching one of 46 sanctioned telecasts.
Auctioneer Paul Wilson got a $2,500 bid from Art and Diane Whitney of Odessa to attend the Los Angeles premiere of Michelle Pfeiffer's new movie, I Could Never Be Your Woman, distributed by Bauer Martinez Studios of Largo.
BROOCH THE SUBJECT: Former secretary of state Madeleine Albright chose a gold dove pin, a gift from Leah Rabin, to wear to the Tampa/JCC Federation President's Dinner on Sundayat A La Carte Pavilion.
"Prime Minister (Yitzhak) Rabin's wife said it would take a lot of doves to make peace in the Middle East," Albright said.
She chatted about her jewelry diplomacy during a VIP meet-and-greet for some of the 500 guests at the Jewish community's annual donor campaign event. I've read that when Saddam Hussein called her a snake, she proudly wore a snake pin. She wore a big bug to a Kremlin meeting after a Russian wiretap was found at the United Nations. She's planning a book on her brooches next year.
Committee member Franci Rudolph called Albright "witty and articulate. This was no canned speech," she said. Albright touted her next book, Mighty and the Almighty, and noted that "ethics are not like shoes, to be taken on and off."
Federation president Alice Rosenthal ended her two-year term by presenting the Tikkun Olam (repair the world) award to George Karpay. When he first heard the description of the recipient, he whispered to his tablemates how great it was to have someone like that in the community.
To pass along tips to Amy Scherzer, blog her at www.sptimes.com/party where you'llfind more pictures, events and links, or call 226-3332.
DATEBOOKTODAY: Chiselers' Market Preview Party and Auction; 7-9 p.m.; Plant Hall at University of Tampa; $50; 253-0037.
SATURDAY: Tale of the Sea hosted by South Tampa Auxiliary of the Children's Home; 7-10 p.m.; Harbour Island home of Ron and Beverly Bailey; $150 per person or $275 per couple; 864-1532.
WEDNESDAY: Jocks & Jewels, Charisse Strawberry's fifth annual celebrity fashion show, benefits NCADD; fashions from Neiman Marcus; 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Hyatt Regency Tampa; $175; 915-7447.
MARCH 16: Tampa Woman's Club annual Fashionollia luncheon benefits Guardian ad Litem; 11 a.m.; Tampa Garden Center; $50; 839-7457.
MARCH 18: Baseball for Kids annual dinner benefits All Children's Hospital and Major League Baseball; 6:30 p.m.; A La Carte Pavilion; $225; (727) 767-8422.
MARCH 18: Florida Orchestra Guild Showhouse Preview Gala; 6:30 p.m.; 4816 W Beachway Drive; $50; 221-3980.