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Glitz and Sticks

By AMY SCHERZER
Published October 6, 2006

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.

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 Studios. 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.

No numbers yet, but if they keep tickets at $30, they'll be looking for a larger venue next year.

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.

Tampa Bay Lightning players smiled, said "Cheese" and signed anything asked of them at Glitz and Sticks, the fifth casino and auction benefit for the Lightning and Tampa General Hospital foundations on Sept. 29 at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Bachelors' tables rolled late, including those of Vinny Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Dan Boyle and Paul Ranger. Their fans couldn't get enough face time, even though the team had to be at the airport early the next morning.

The fun started in the AFS Club, formerly the XO Club, then moved down to the carpet-covered ice where the temperature was surprisingly comfortable for strapless gowns and open-toed shoes. Ice girls announced the players with giant playing cards indicating their numbers in hearts, clubs, spades and diamonds.

Gift baskets loaded with players' favorite things, such as Czechoslovakian beer and toys from Vinny Prospal, drew buyers to the silent auction. They played blackjack, danced and grabbed a chocolate hockey puck on their way out. Twins John and Jason Accardi of 717 Parking estimated 700 guests based on the cars their guys parked.

Lightning president Ron Campbell and Tampa General chief Ron Hytoff pledged event proceeds to TGH's Children's Medical Center Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and the Lightning Foundation's community grants. The four previous Glitz and Sticks raised nearly $500,000 for the two foundations combined.

got gossip?

E-mail Amy Scherzer at scherzer@sptimes.com or call 226-3332. For more on the party scene, go to www.sptimes.com/party

[Last modified October 6, 2006, 01:34:06]