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Amy Scherzer's Diary

By AMY SCHERZER
Published June 8, 2007

Kim Pivacek, her mother-in-law Beverly Pivacek and her mother Candy Sasser modeled as a trio for the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary annual fashion show. Another stylish mother-daughter pair, Lesley and Katherine Dobbins, showed off SteinMart fashions for 275 guests at the Rusty Pelican on May 11.

Before lunch, the ladies shopped a silent auction organized by Cathy Tileston and Chris Augello and blessed the meal by joining more than a dozen Salvation Army officers in song.

Development director Moira Hinson thanked the women for braving the acrid smoke from wildfires across the state, noting the Salvation Army had dispatched mobile canteen units to serve hot meals to firefighters and relief workers. She also thanked auxiliary president Eleanor Rayburn of Westchase for agreeing to a second term.

The orchid centerpieces were for sale, which boosted co-chairwomen Dolores Deiter's and Carolyn McMullen's event to net more than $24, 000, the most ever for the auxiliary's annual fundraiser.

Special to the Times

Denise and Antonio Tarver, from left, hang out with WFLA-Ch. 8 sportscaster Dave Reynolds at the Chateau Prive` at St. Bart's launch party on May 18.

Eyeing Mohina, a white Bengal tiger pacing inside a cage for the May 18 opening of Chateau Prive` at St. Bart's, owner Philip Glassman was asked, "Why a tiger?"

"Because it's cool, " he replied, setting the bar sky high for the private club he spent $1.7-million to renovate at 1502 S Howard Ave.

Ultra hip bouncers admitted 400 YoCos young cosmopolitans dressed to party in Armani, Versace and Pucci. Models in sexy French maid outfits passed drinks and hors d'oeuvres in four indulgent havens: the lounge, cottage, French-Caribbean restaurant and members-only club. Magician Deryn Legend tricked; DJ Orell spun techno; live jazz came later.

Lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch are open to the public in the lounge and restaurant where furnishings upholstered in alligator and stingray, mohair and chenille could be described as Gothic meets Versailles.

Sharks swim in a tank in the lounge; jellyfish glow in the club where members can access a walk-in humidor, personal wine locker, library and concierge services.

At least four private memberships were sold that night at $5, 000 a pop, with a percentage promised to benefit the Bern's Memorial Park and Joshua House.

Jim Henning of Tampa, Sandy Papadakis of Tarpon Springs, and seven other candidates, raised $160, 000 in 10 weeks as they competed to be the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Man and Woman of the Year. Papadakis won by hosting a "Staying Alive" disco party. Henning simply asked 100 of his best friends for money to fund blood cancer research and patient services.

Every dollar raised counts as one "vote" and they were tallied through the live and silent auction at the Suncoast chapter's gala dinner May 24 at the Pepin Hospitality Center.

The candidates competed in honor of the Boy & Girl of the Year, Mathew Gliddon and Carlee Vessel, local children who are blood cancer survivors. The two winners now compete against dozens of other finalists for the national Man & Woman of the Year title.

Mo's M Birthday Party

This Diary wraps up the first half of a rockin' 2007 social scene. Next week, in anticipation of a steamy summer, we'll turn to other passions, such as weddings and anniversaries, for our Heart Beat feature. E-mail scherzer@sptimes.com or call 226-3332 if you have a story to share.

Wachovia Securities senior vice president Maureen Ayral got the surprise of her life June 2 when friends threw her an M Word 50th birthday bash, borrowing the theme from Showtimes' series, The L Word. Men were allowed only if they dressed like women. A dozen pals complied, including Mikio Kato and Scott Grebler and all the parking valets.

Stephanie Callahan of the Halcyon band came from Nashville to play an acoustic concert. DJ Taz of Hotel Costes in Paris kept the play list diverse as guests sipped MoJo-tinis and Mo-Hattons.

The women-only affair was originally planned to be at real estate investor Steven Green's mansion on Delaware Avenue.

After an auto accident in New York in May, the hosts moved to a Ballast Point home. The guest of honor said it was the first time in all her 50 years that she was truly surprised by a party.

[Last modified June 7, 2007, 07:32:36]