Amy Scherzer's Diary

WEDU's Sojourn South Africa

From Zulu greeters to an artisans market to dynamic Dundu Dole dancers to Cape cuisine and fine wines, Sojourn staged a formal salute to South Africa on Saturday, the sixth destination for WEDU's travel-themed galas.

"The dancing is making me homesick,'' said Chicago-based South Africa consul general Nomvume Magaqa, delighting in the Life Force Cultural Arts Academy performers and applauding the public broadcast station's in-depth program book.

Drumming took another form as auctioneers Jason Alpert and Aaron Fodiman pounded out the need to staunch $1.5 million in budget cuts. Besides neat travel packages, bids of $1,500 for 15-second commercial spots helped Sojourn net $100,000.

Vice president of communications Laura Fage credited ConceptBAIT event designers for the authentic touches throughout St. Petersburg's Renaissance Vinoy Resort ballroom. Vivid orchids and South African protea topped tables; tall straw lanterns hung between billowing ivory silks overhead.

While not quite as diverse as South Africa (11 official languages), the multicounty guest list of 500 PBS-watchers was also noteworthy.

Glitz & Sticks

Whatever the request — autographs, photos, predictions — Tampa Bay Lightning players never said no at the ninth annual Glitz & Sticks benefit on the St. Pete Times Forum rink. Sharply dressed teammates, their numbers helpfully stitched on silk pocket handkerchiefs, showed off their casino skills Sunday by playing with the 700 high-roller fans. Late Night Brass rocked as bars and the buffet opened to offer lamb chops, prime rib, pasta, sushi and crab cakes to the gltizy and enthusiastic crowd.

Auctioneer Jen Holloway pitched several Lightning-related items, getting $7,400 from Paul Frain to travel with the team to an away game. Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and Tampa General Hospital CEO Ron Hytoff, whose foundations will share the party proceeds, just beamed.

Sports Club of Tampa Bay 50th anniversary banquet

Athletes, coaches, analysts and hundreds of sports fans celebrated the Sports Club of Tampa Bay's 50th year of funding athletes and their teams at the annual awards banquet Feb. 11.

"There's no aspect of sports they haven't touched," said scribe emeritus Tom McEwen as club president Bennett Jacobson welcomed 550 supporters to Higgins Hall. That included former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mike Alstott and Derrick Brooks (Tampa Sports Hall of Fame inductees); Tampa Bay Ray David Price (most valuable player) and guest speaker Arizona Cardinal Jay Feely, plus dozens of students showing exceptional sportsmanship.

Rays president Matt Silverman took home the prestigious George M. Steinbrenner Outstanding Citizen Award.

"We started 50 years ago as the Bayshore Optimist Club,'' said Leonard Levy, who was the first president. "But we were all sports fans so we became the Tampa Sports Club. His twin, George, chaired the first awards banquet in 1962.