Amy Scherzer's Diary

WUSF & Tampa Chamber of Commerce

Sharp, frank and fun, National Public Radio senior news analyst/author Cokie Roberts showed why her ratings rock at lunch April 16, co-sponsored by WUSF public broadcasting and the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.

Much and not so much has changed since she wrote We Are Our Mother's Daughters, said the political commentator. That's why she added new chapters and released the 10th anniversary edition. Inkwood Books sold nearly 200 copies, which Roberts happily autographed.

Speaking of families, especially moms, Roberts said both of her parents, Lindy and the late Hale Boggs, served in Congress, and her mother, "age 93 and still going strong," was U.N. Ambassador to the Vatican from 1997-2001.

"My mother represented Bill Clinton to the pope. Toughest job in public service," she cracked.

"This is a really big day for WUSF … hosting Cokie and entering the digital-only world,'' general manager JoAnn Urofsky told 500 guests at the Tampa Convention Center. There's no more analog signal; WUSF is now broadcast on four channels, depending on your cable or satellite provider.

Karamu XXI

"Carnaval" at Karamu exploded into a wild samba parade Saturday, luring 300 Lowry Park Zoo supporters with the sultry street fest that made Rio famous. Chairwoman Kelly Feldman and entertainment sponsor Philip Orsini went over-the-top, with 20 dazzling dancers limboing under feathered stilt walkers and pulling guests up to the rhythms of Late Night Brass. Feldman's inspiration was Toronto's extravagant Brazilian Carnival Ball, which she and husband, Randy, attended last year with Orsini.

It's not your grandmother's Karamu, exclaimed a guest getting an eyeful of the overflowing women in the crowd and joking that this year's theme should be called "Endowment."

Although the weather happened to be perfect for outdoor dining, Feldman was excited to be holding the first event in the Safari Lodge. She tapped Ian Prosser of Botanica International to design eco-chic tables in ocean blue, rain forest green, desert orange and mountain purple.

Also thinking green, Shelly Aubuchon of Tampa Electric, sister of committee member Lynne Thompson, helped the zoo buy renewable energy to offset the power generated that night.

Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay Chef Sven Ullrich was just happy to have a real kitchen to grill Argentine sirloin and fried bananas. Previous Karamus required bringing equipment to cook in a tent.

No recession could deflate this group. Live auction bids included $10,000 naming rights for four bush­babies, pumping proceeds to $180,000 for zoo programs.

Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am's Hong Kong Nights

Pros, ams and celebs talked golf, posed for pictures and filled their own plates with ribs, shrimp tempura and egg rolls from the buffet line at Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am's Asian-themed pairing party, Hong Kong Nights, at A La Carte Pavilion. Fan-friendly Michael J. Fox even got up for seconds. Bill Murray ran from my camera; comedian George Lopez was all smiles. Mark Wahlberg said yes to a few photos, but left early. Newsman Stone Phillips, tennis champ Jim Courier and World Golf Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez were gracious, as were NFL giants Derrick Brooks, Jerry Rice, Joe Theismann, Emmitt Smith, Ronde' Barber and Vinny Testaverde.

Earlier, when 76 pairings were announced, players learned they had been "Sullivanized," meaning Outback co-founder Chris Sullivan handled the matchups for the April 17-19 charity tournament at TPC Tampa Bay. Amateurs paid a $12,000 tournament fee to tee off.

"Dollar for dollar, no expenses taken out,'' said foundation chair Jack Suarez, who hates having his photo taken more than Bill Murray. "Every Shot's Fore Charity," goes the slogan, and this year the Child Abuse Council, Diabetic Charitable Services, Everyday Blessings and Judeo Christian Health Clinic divvy up the donations.

Suzarez's brother-in-law, tourney host Gary Koch, went over the rules before they joined a few hundred sponsors for Chinese food and entertainment, including the SinoElite Ensemble, a neon pingpong competition and Asian acrobatic swordplay.