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Amy Scherzer's Diary

By Amy Scherzer, Times Staff Writer
Published March 7, 2008

Entertainment Revue 

Get their autographs now- Cynthia Gries' Entertainment Revue performers are poised for stardom. The talented troupe of girls ages 6 to 18 wowed 300 guests with a song and dance salute to the Glamour Age of Hollywood at Saturday's scholarship gala at Pepin Hospitality Center. Some of their fathers almost upstaged them singing in drag, hairy legs and all.

"These are the things you do for your daughter," said Bob Gries, adjusting his pantyhose.

The Hollywood theme began with hunky cabana boys serving pomegranate martinis at a Polo Lounge patrons party in a Beverly Hills Hotel setting. Entertainment Revue graduates posed poolside in vintage swimsuits. The famed Grauman's Chinese Theatre held a silent auction. Honorary chairmen Linda and Dick Greco led the way to the stage-turned-dance floor as Ace Factor began to play. The ex-mayor is looking younger every day.

Stepping Out gala  

Motown memories and medical maestros shared the spotlight at Heart & Soul, the 15th annual Stepping Out gala hosted by St. Joseph's Hospitals Foundation. The "Heart" refers to more than $250,000 the event raised for cardiac programs at Tampa's three St. Joseph's hospitals. "Soul" is what kept 700 guests dancing to the Temptations Review, featuring Dennis Edwards, who joined the original Temptations in the late 1960s.

Foundation chairwoman Elaine Shimberg and gala chairmen Dennis and Lisa Pupello honored three dedicated physicians: Lazaro Hernandez, George Haedicke and Cameron Tebbi onSaturday at the Hyatt Regency Tampa.The hospital's auxiliary members were recognized for 50 years of volunteering.

Emcee Dick Crippen, working hard to rally bids, could have gotten a boost if the band had sung the legendary hit Ain't Too Proud to Beg as he auctioned four items, including the Fairmont Canada vacation for $8,600 to Richard Duveneck.

Scholarship salute Jocks and Jewels celebrity fashion show  

Christopher Lawford, son of Peter Lawford and Patricia Kennedy, showed the family's trademark charisma when speaking at the seventh annual Jocks and Jewels celebrity fashion show hosted by Charisse Strawberry for the Tampa Bay chapter of the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence.

"Dad was a member of the Rat Pack ... Marilyn Monroe taught me the Twist," he said, speaking in the men's department at Saks Fifth Avenue on Feb. 28. Then his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated, his parents divorced, and by 13, he was doing drugs. He was a heroin addict at 21 but has been straight since 1986.

Super jock Deion Sanders stepped up, auctioning a framed Hannah Montana guitar for $2,300 and a Peyton Manning jersey for $1,000 - "a steal," he said. Sanders and Strawberry raved as athletes/models strutted in Saks' spring styles. The Venue provided hors d'oeuvres.

Lucky Lynda Crute won the $5,000 Saks' gift certificate.

Got gossip?E-mail Amy Scherzer at scherzer@sptimes.com or call 226-3332. Party online:For more party pictures, visit hillsborough.tampabay.com.

Events

Tuesday: Fashion Funds the Cure benefits Pediatric Cancer Foundation; 6 p.m.; Saks Fifth Avenue; $75; 269-0955.

March 14: Chiselers' Market Preview Party and Auction; 7 p.m.; Plant Hall at University of Tampa; $50; 289-0985.

March 14: Andrea's Sip for Life benefits Amandalee Pediatric Sarcoma Fund research at Moffitt Cancer Center; 7 p.m.; Ybor City State Museum; $100; 248-3000, ext. 31.

March 15: Red, White and Blue gala benefits American Red Cross; 7 p.m.; Pepin Hospitality Center; $100; 348-4820, ext. 869.

[Last modified March 7, 2008, 02:02:18]