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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 19, 2008

MDA Gala Draws Big Crowd

Everywhere you turn, you hear about the tough times and how people aren't donating as much to local charities. That sure wasn't evident at the Muscular Dystrophy Association's sixth annual Hearts of Fire Gala on Oct. 11 at A La Carte Pavilion in Tampa. About 650 guests showed up for the event, which netted $683,000 for research and treatment and to help send children with the disease to an MDA summer camp in Brandon. Chaired by Liz Young and Suzanne Avery, assisted by vice chairwoman Marilyn McPhail, the evening featured the theme "denim and diamonds." Auctioneers peddled goods while cocktails were served during a a lively, not-so-silent auction. Dinner and a live auction followed with Denis Phillips and Wendy Ryan, both of ABC Action News, serving as celebrity auctioneers. Herman Fernandez was honored for work that led to the success of the second annual MDA Hearts of Fire Charity Golf Classic, held the day before at Tournament Players Club. Krista Fincke, 17, Jesse Stanper, 12, and Kendall Hall, 11, talked about their experience at MDA summer camp and encouraged guests to bid on packages to send more kids to the camp.

Feeling All Warm And Furry

More than 600 guests, dressed in black-tie or big cat costumes, attended the Big Cat Rescue 2008 Fur Ball on Oct. 10 at A La Carte Pavilion. The gala began with a wine and champagne tasting and silent auction, immediately followed by dinner. Big Cat Rescue founder Carole Baskin took the stage with her husband, Howard, chairman of the organization, to talk about rescuing, rehabilitating and housing big cats. Cathy Newman, vice president of the educational sanctuary, recognized Becky Guagliardo as volunteer of the year for putting in more than 5,500 hours cleaning cages, bringing treats for the animals and volunteers and being a role model for all volunteers and interns. Roger Hopper, who was dressed as an adventurer, picked the highest card from a deck and won the costume contest and a trip to the Poconos with his wife, Wilhelmina, who was also a contestant.

Dinner Served Onstage At Broadway Ball

The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center turned into a Las Vegas-style casino Oct. 11 for Broadway Ball 2008. The gala, for about 300 guests, celebrated the musical "The Rat Pack -- Live at the Sands" (coming in March), complete with blackjack tables, showgirls and other gambling during the cocktail hour. A four-course gourmet dinner prepared by chef Rusty Evers of Maestro's was served on the stage in Carol Morsani Hall, while The Florida Orchestra played big-band sounds of Frank Sinatra and others. Chaired by Sandy and Dottie Berger McKinnon, the black-tie ball raised $250,000 for the center's programs. To showcase the work of the center, greeters, drawn from students and graduates of the Patel Conservatory, performed ballet and chamber and harp music at the entrance of the hall. The evening's emcees and auctioneers were Skip Mahaffey and Jack Harris.

Text by MARIA JOHNSON; Photos by MARIA JOHNSON and ROBERT SCHOFIELD

The Tribune was a sponsor of the Fur Ball. E-mail information on community and social events in the Tampa Bay area to mdjohnson@tampatrib.com or mail it to Scene & Heard, c/o The News Center, 200 S. Parker St., Tampa FL 33606, or call Philip Morgan at (81

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