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Amy Scherzer's diary
Amy Scherzer's Diary
By AMY SCHERZER
Published October 6, 2006
Art for Life It’s back, revived with a vengeance and verve that once made Art for Life the party of the year. Organizers said nearly 2,000 people packed Higgins Hall on Saturday at the third art auction staged by Don Bentz, Mary Beth Albright, Jeanne Lavettre and other committee members to fund Project Return mental health programs. Founder Victor Figueredo, who ran Art for Life from 1991 to 2000, bopped around getting old friends, liberals and conservatives aiming for a common goal, to bid up the 56 pieces in the live auction and 500 in the silent auction.
He dedicated the evening to two lost friends, artist Roddy Reed and photographer Jeff Bynum. A portion of the sales will go to St. Joseph’s Comprehensive Research Institute, which studies 3,000 HIV-positive patients.
Colorful Coleman Middle School kids mimed; University of Tampa dancers pranced. Guest auctioneers exhorted bidders, with help from Vanna White-like helpers dressed by Wendy Menouni in designs from Yasmin Fouad and Orianna Kurrus. At 8 p.m., Alfred Llana and Nick Scalise began painting on opposite sides of a canvas. Two hours later,
it was sold in the live auction. Johnnie Raulerson bought five pieces, including Mr. B’s 2006 signature piece, Dawning Of A New Day, for $1,000 and Duncan McClellan’s Hibiscus vessel for $6,500.
Hispanic Heritage You know the Latin social season is in full swing when your invitation arrives to the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce Gala. Friday night, at the 41st annual fete at the Columbia Restaurant, the spotlight shone on Frank Lastra who received the 13th annual Cesar Gonzmart Award for his hefty Ybor City: The Making of an Historic Landmark Town.
A former chamber president from 1977-78, Lastra got the nod for his 10-plus year labor of love: 467 pages and more than 570 pictures chronicling Ybor City from 1885 to 2000. His old friend, Rafael Martinez-Ybor, great-grandson of Don Vicente Martinez-Ybor, the father of Ybor City, described it to the 125 guests as “an encyclopedia. Anything you want to know about Ybor City, it’s in this book.’’A week earlier on Sept. 23, Tampa Hispanic Heritage honored the 2006 Hispanic Man and Woman of the Year at the Wyndham Westshore. Maruchi Azorin Blanco announced Richard Gonzmart, the first second-generation recipient. Luz Lono introduced Diana Almeida who was escorted to the podium by her daughter, Judge DeeDee Pomponio. Their strong, inspiring messages drew standing ovations. Co-emcees Christian Leon and Katie Coronado cued videos of their accomplishments for the 360 guests. Former Gov. Bob Martinez announced the past recipients.
DATEBOOK
SATURDAY: Artists & Writers Reunion Ball; 8 p.m. Cuban Club; $35 in advance, $45 day of event;www.artistsandwritersball.com .
Thursday: 8th annual Celebration of Hope Gala benefits Florida Prostate Cancer Network; 6 p.m.; Hyatt Regency Tampa; $150; 806-2800.
OCT. 13: Fur Ball benefits Big Cat Rescue; Roaring ’20s theme; 6:30 p.m.; A La Carte Pavilion; $125; 889-7244.
OCT. 14: 9th annual All That Glitters wine tasting and auction benefits McDonald’s Training Center; 7-11 p.m.; Florida Aquarium; $70, $125 for VIP; 870-1300 ext. 283.
OCT. 14: Broadway Ball benefits Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center; 6 p.m.; dinner on Morsani stage; $400; 222-1037.
[Last modified October 11, 2006, 12:38:31]
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Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
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