Amy Scherzer's Diary

MOSI's 15th annual Einstein on Food & Wine

Imagine Albert Einstein and Leonardo da Vinci sampling Lobster Pot's escargot and Timpano's bruschetta while discussing principles of math and physics. You bet the geniuses would have enjoyed Einstein on Food & Wine, hosted by ABC's Fine Wine & Spirits at the Museum of Science and Industry on Saturday night.

Da Vinci could have painted the Centre Club's she-crab soup, Gino's eggplant Parmesan and Housewife Bake Shop's cupcakes offered to VIPs ($125) in the "Da Vinci — the Genius and the Secrets of Mona Lisa" exhibit. Everyone else arrived an hour later for samples from 100 vintners and another dozen restaurants and caterers, including raw food fairies Karen Cuervo and LindaJoy Rose's sunflower seed pate.

"People are eating like it's their Last Supper,'' quipped Karen McKinney, on her way to see how da Vinci painted that renowned artwork. Her friend Jackie Buckler gave up bread and wine for Lent, "but vodka is a fine substitute," she said, with a wink.

DJ Rhino Cubes rocked outside next to a shiny Airstream cigar lounge. Otis Velt & Old School Band kept the 1,500 guests entertained near the third-floor Verizon FIOS Lounge.

Larry and Kathy Church donated a stay at their home in Provence, France, to the silent auction, bought by Grace and Craig Newman to help the 15th annual event net $182,000 for museum programs.







Pepin Heart Hospitals' Red Hot

An intimate dinner for 300? Cozy tables for two were just one of the ways Red Hot organizers romanced guests at the Valentine's Day dinner and auction benefit for Pepin Heart Hospital and K.C. Patel Research Institute. Red roses, red wine and red lingerie also helped co-chairs Marilyn McPhail and Tom Pepin inflame passions for coronary care.

Wayl of a Time caterers offered a menu of six entree choices. EventShow Productions steamed up TPepin Hospitality Centre, dancing a racy number from the musical Nine. And instead of an intrusive live auction, a text message service let guests quietly bid via cell phone.

WFTS-Ch. 28 anchor Linda Hurtado emceed, introducing stem cell trial patient Hatem Faraj. His moving testimony helped net $104,000, including $14,000 for a new program to screen student athletes for potential sudden cardiac arrest.

Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla Coronation Ball

King Mike Carrere and Queen Kerry Carson now reign over Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, crowned the 97th rulers of the 106-year-old Mardi Gras-inspired men's club Saturday.

"We're thrilled beyond belief to be part of Tampa history,'' said Bill Carson, krewe historian and proud father of Kerry, 22, a senior at the University of Florida.

Lykes Bros. executive vice president Carrere, 60, a New Orleans native, was born to be a king. Both parents, Elizabeth Lykes Haven and the late John Carrere, plus many relatives, were Mardi Gras royals. Just last week his cousin Anne Chandler Lykes, daughter of Debe and Jed Lykes, was crowned queen of Comus, the oldest krewe in New Orleans, formed in 1857.

Gasparilla's coronation began with magician Ron Royals trying to amuse the crowd at the Tampa Convention Center when abdicating King Preston Farrior and Queen Mary Ellen Buell went missing. A video caught the court hunting, in gold crowns and camouflage gear. They magically appeared, welcoming the Jeweled Circle: six queen candidates, four courtiers and a dozen dazzling newlywed pirate couples. Also honored were Pamela Logan Smiley, queen 50 years ago, and Charles Bever, John Mills and Solon O'Neal, pirates for 50 years.

Don Juceam, considered Tampa's Frank Sinatra, sang for pirates who stayed to dance.