Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Amy Scherzer's diary

DeBartolos deliver

By AMY SCHERZER
Published March 4, 2005

With so much hype, who could believe the lineup of guests promised for the DeBartolo All Star Charity Gala? A dozen Hall of Fame athletes, three retired Army generals, a couple of Tampa Bay Bucs, some New York Yankees, actors Kevin "Andromeda" Sorbo and Seymour Cassel, plus Mary Delgado from The Bachelor and Kelly Perdew from The Apprentice 2. Just about everybody but Donald Trump.

Sure enough, the San Francisco Bay transplants scored. The kilowattage from the many Super Bowl rings could have powered the room. More than 30 celebrities accepted the family's invitation to be guests at their $250-a-ticket dinner at the A La Carte Pavilion on Feb. 25. Almost no one said no to Mr. D, former owner of the San Francisco 49ers.

The DeBartolo hosts - Eddie and Candy and daughters Lisa, Tiffanie and Nikki (Heldfond) - treated the 600-plus guests like family. It was especially true for the former 49ers, including Jerry Rice , Ronnie Lott, Harris Barton, Freddie Solomon , Dwight "the Catch" Clark and coach Bill Walsh.

Son-in-law Ben Heldfond auctioned five items, getting $21,000 for a trip to the 2006 Super Bowl in a private jet.

Charisse Strawberry gave the invocation. Tables were set for an Asian fusion theme, calla lilies and orchids set off lime green linens. Paper lanterns hung overhead, and fortune cookies spilled out of Chinese food takeout boxes.

The Spinners sang their 1960s Motown hits to a packed dance floor. Final numbers haven't been announced for the third All Star gala, but the family will distribute the proceeds as student scholarships and individual and organizational grants. Last year's raised $292,000.

ROOTED IN TRADITION: Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla shook some family trees to crown its 92nd pair of royalty Saturday at the Tampa Convention Center.

The newest king, Fred Dobbins, an executive vice president with SunTrust, is married to Lesley, the 1972 Gasparilla queen.

The new queen, Kelly Clewis Davis, 22, an interior design student at the University of Florida, has roots in the Howell-Davis dynasty. Her grandfathe r , Clewis Howell, ruled as the 54th king in 1967. Two of her aunts had back-to-back reigns: Queen Wynnette Howell Hampton in 1973 and Queen Debbie Davis Thomas in 1974. And Kelly's parents, Chuck and Hilary Howell Davis, started dating while serving in the 1979 royal court.

The formal coronation ceremony followed the traditional script, but King John Brabson demanded entertainment before abdication. He introduced Neil Sedaka to sing from his 50-year song list, including Where the Boys Are, Calendar Girl, Breaking Up Is Hard to Do and Love Will Keep Us Together. Some of the younger pirates scratched their heads, eager for the next band, Black and Blue, to start.

Among the 1,200 guests , Clare Robbins looked forward to many more coronation balls when she quipped, "When we're 80, they'll have Bruce Springsteen."

RAINY DAY FRIENDS: Although rain dampened the spirit of the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am Golf Tournament, four charities will still receive at least $125,000 each: All Children's Hospital; Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance; Hannah's Buddies/Fight SMA; and the Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

Besides tournament fees and concession sales, part of that money was raised at Aussie Bash, the Feb. 22 silent auction and Vince Gill concert for 1,200 golfers, sponsors and volunteers at the St. Pete Times Forum. Assorted Outback restaurants served their specialties as the amateurs and professionals were paired up. Beer boss Tom Pepin was thrilled to make up a trio of Toms: Florida Senate President Tom Lee and tour playe r Tom Purtzer.

TAMPA GLAMS IT UP: Organizers of Tampa Theatre's Oscar Night America recast the big-screen benefit Sunday night, encouraging guests to dress in evening gowns and tuxedoes to watch the live awards ceremony. A tornado warning moved the cocktail reception indoors, turning the lobby into the red carpet for fashion. Spiking the glamor meter: chairwoman Kelli Mitchell, Allison Beard and Meg Forehand. Tom and Harrison Giddens and Eugenie Bondurant wore vintage Hollywood. Mark Sena came as "Johnny Deep," and complimented his wife, Linda Saul-Sena, for outshining Annette Bening. Chanel makeup artists touched up for close-ups in the lobby.

Nearly two-thirds of the 450 guests bought the $85 tickets for open bar and antipasto, tenderloin and risotto. The 8 p.m. shift paid $35 for popcorn and sodas. Rather than a silent auction, guests could buy a ballot for $15 and vote in five categories. Winners were eligible for prize drawings. Audrey Ellison won a sunset cruise with Ken Walters.

Catherine Novack made her grand entrance in a Bentley from Dimmitt Luxury Motors. She won the ride at a patrons party held at Neiman Marcus on Feb. 10.

Apologies to Art of the Feast, the Trump Tower Tampa launch party caterer that I misnamed in last week's column.

To pass along tips to Amy Scherzer, reach her at 226-3332 or scherzer@sptimes.com

TODAY: Chairs for Chairity Live Auction benefits Outdoor Arts Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation; live and silent auctions; 6 p.m.; Wyndham Harbour Island Hotel; $35; 288-2600.

SATURDAY: Heart Ball, an Evening in First Class; Tampa International Jet Center; 4751 Jim Walter Blvd.; $300; (727) 570-8610.

MARCH 10: On the Wings of Fashion benefits Red Cross Angels; fashions from M Style Studio; 11 a.m.; Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club, 1601 S MacDill Ave.; $50; 348-4820, ext. 834.

MARCH 11: Chiselers Market Preview Party to benefit Plant Hall; cocktail buffet and live auction; 7 p.m.; Plant Hall; $50; 253-0037.

MARCH 12: The Foundation of St. Joseph's Hospital Stepping Out Gala-Habana Nights; 6:30 p.m.; Hyatt Regency Tampa; $200; 872-0979.

MARCH 13: Pot O'Gold wine and buffet benefits Children's Home South Tampa auxiliary; Jackson's Bistro on Harbour Island; 6-9 p.m.; $60; 864-1532.

[Last modified March 3, 2005, 09:13:05]