Amy Scherzer's Diary

Earth Charter+10 dinner

Earth Charter International celebrated its 10th anniversary at private dinners around the world.

"It's 10 + 10 + 10," said Earth Charter U.S. chairwoman Lorna Taylor. "Our 10th year and 10 companies are committing $10,000.'' She explained Earth Charter as ethical principles providing a framework for a just, sustainable and peaceful society based on global interdependence and universal responsibility.

Professor/philanthropist Steven C. Rockefeller was guest of honor at a May 26 dinner organized by Earth Charter U.S. founder Jan Roberts and executive director Richard Clugston at Michael Murphy Gallery. Restaurant BT catered five courses, beginning with prawn mousse, tofu bites and organic vodka lemongrass martinis.

HOK architect Yann Weymouth and DLA Piper lawyer Mike Bedke led toasts to Rockefeller, who drafted the Earth Charter presented at the Peace Palace in the Hague in 2000 and co-chairs the Earth Charter International Council. Deep discussion ensued among the heady mix of lawyers (Rhea Law, Ron Cristaldi), insurers (Guy King) and business leaders on living sustainably, locally, nationally and globally.







Best Buddies' Havana Nights

Like a giant frat party, Best Buddies' third annual Havana Nights spilled through two ballrooms, down hallways and along corridors as 300 guests filled Embassy Suites in downtown Tampa.

The mostly under-35 crowd knows its way around a craps table. Blackjack, roulette, slots and a mojito bar, too. Everyone started with $5,000 play money and could buy $5,000 more for a $10 donation. Tournament high rollers cashed in for cool prizes. Tenth Concession got the music going, then New Congress rocked the stage. Emcee Kellie Lightbourn announced raffles and reminded guests how Best Buddies betters lives of people with intellectual disabilities. Krista Dietrich said having fun with her buddy, Maryjoycie, motivated her to chair the event and earn the honor of Citizen Buddy Pair of the Year.

Suncoast Leukemia & Lymphoma Man & Woman of the Year

One buck equaled one vote as three men and six women vied for 10 weeks to raise the most money to earn the title of Suncoast Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man and Woman of the Year.

The winners: Justin Trombetto ($17,090) and Erin Newton ($28,273). Their efforts wrapped up at a May 22 gala at TPepin's Hospitality Centre, where guests' bids on auction items obtained by the candidates added to their tallies.

Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor Newton held a framed photograph of her husband, Joseph, who returned to Army duty in the Middle East the day before.

Trombetto, son of three-time Man of the Year winner Jon Trombetto, shaved his head a few days later, keeping the deal he made with Everest University Online colleagues for raising $2,000 for him. He is the director of admissions.

Candidates and gala proceeds netted $125,000 for the fight against blood cancers.

Broadway Theatre Project

Broadway Theatre Project found a pitch-perfect salesman in advisory board member Ben Vereen (Pippin, Roots, All That Jazz).

"I've come to get your money," he said, segueing from Lady, Be Good to "Be good to us" at a private performance in Realtor Toni Everett's parlor May 26.

Impossible Dream, Stand by Me and My Funny Valentine followed his charming appeal to fund scholarships to the University of South Florida-based musical theater program. "I'm not selling Tupperware," said Vereen, wearing a gray, sharkskin suit and gray Converse sneakers and sticking around for autographs, even signing his black derby hat that Anne O'Shea bought for a $500 donation.

BTP, founded 20 years ago by Debra McWaters, Ann Reinking and Mary Walkley, offers high school and college students three weeks of intensive training in singing, dancing and acting in July, covering performing arts, audition workshops, improvisation, monologue and more over 14 hours a day, seven days a week.

Tapping their toes that night: Belinda Wilson, Noni Brill, Scott Gunderson, Sandy Frye, Helen Gordon Davis, Joyce Fernandez, Linda Saul Sena and Miriam Mason.