Art Gala Benefits MacDonald Training Center, Pyramid

The Scarfone Hartley Gallery will host a juried art exhibit and sale, "101 Pieces of a Dream," as a benefit for the MacDonald Training Center and Pyramid Inc.

Former Tampa Mayor Sandra Freedman is chairwoman for a reception and art sale in conjunction with the show.

The event will be from 6 to 9 p.m. March 27 at the gallery, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., The sale then will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 28.

The exhibit will include work from professional and community artists including those with disabilities. A special work by Duncan McClennan will be featured in an auction at the March 27 reception.

Tickets for the March 27 event are $50 and available by calling Rita Hattab at (813) 870-1300, ext. 252, or at www.macdonaldcenter.org.

Dance Features Johnny Charro

WEST TAMPA - La Nuova Sicilia Unita Lodge No. 1251 will host a dance with well-known local performer Johnny Charro on Friday.

The event, open to the public, will be at the Sons of Italy Hall, 3315 W. Lemon St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the dance from 7:30 to 11 p.m.

Attendees may bring their own party patters and drinks. Food and setups will be available.

Tickets are $8 per person, and reservations are taken for parties of eight or more. For reservations, call (813) 870-1805 or (813) 220-9285.

Boy Scout Luncheon Raises Almost $500,000

A recent fundraising luncheon sponsored by the Gulf Ridge Council, Boy Scouts of America, raised almost $500,000 for the organization.

The March 6 event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel drew several hundred supporters who heard keynote speaker Keni Thomas, an Army Ranger involved in the "Black Hawk Down" mission.

Council President David Hendrix of the Gray Robinson law firm served as the master of ceremonies for the event, which also honored TECO Energy President and Chief Operating Officer John B. Ramil as the 2009 Distinguished Citizen.

Ramil accepted the award from Sam Ellison of Beck Construction, last year's winner and luncheon chairman. Ramil is a former Cub Scout leader and is involved with other youth activities, including soccer.

"He sets a great example for our people to follow. He does so with honesty, respect and humility," Ellison said.

In accepting the award, Ramil said it was important to be supportive of youth programs "because being a young person growing up in today's world is real tough."

Ramil noted the support he received from TECO employees, friends and family members, especially his wife, Nadia.

"I was lucky. I way over-married," he said.

The Boy Scout council also will have its council recognition dinner at 7 p.m. Saturday at Embassy Suites, 3705 Spectrum Ave., on the University of South Florida campus.

Six Scout volunteers will be recognized with the Silver Beaver award, the highest honor from a council. They are Christine Crowell, Dennis Clift, John G. Wood Jr., Patricia Guglielmi, Jeannie Kay Walker and Kimberly Jones.

The dinner will be preceded by a reception at 6 p.m. of Silver Beaver award winners.

Tickets are $25, and reservations are needed by calling (813) 872-2691.

Plant Groups Plan Programs

TAMPA - Garden and plant groups have various programs planned. They include:

•Sunset Park Garden Club, which will hold its 55th annual flower show with the theme "Hello Out There in Television Land!"

The event, open to the public at no charge, is from 2 to 8 p.m. today at the group's clubhouse, 4624 W. Browning Ave. Show chairwoman is Peggiann Fowler, and vice chairwoman is Jayne Smith. The judges' luncheon will be hosted by Carole Page. For information, call (813) 837-4533.

•Tampa Orchid Society, where Donna Sitton, a member of the organization, will speak Thursday.

The free public event will be at Seminole Heights United Methodist Church, 6111 Central Ave.

Sitton has been growing orchids for almost 40 years and is known internationally for producing orchid hybrids. For information, call President Dory Gallagher at (813) 907-7025 or go to www.tampabay orchidsociety.com.

•The Tampa Bay Gesneriad Society, which meets at 10 a.m. Saturday.

John R. Clark will give a presentation on "Gesneriads Around the World" at the event at 402 W. Martin L. King Blvd., Tampa. It is free and open to members and guests. For information, call (813) 963-7424.

•Parkland Garden Club, which will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the home of Chris Carey.

Lori Dean and Marsha Martin are hostesses for the event, which includes a program on cooking with herbs. For information about the organization, call Jenifer Ownby at (813) 872-7113.

Community Gala Features Betty Castor

USF CAMPUS - Former University of South Florida President Betty Castor, who is the executive director of the Dr. Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions, will be the keynote speaker for the USF LGBT Community Gala.

Castor will speak about Global Diversity in Action at the event from 5:45 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Sam & Martha Gibbons Alumni Center on the USF campus.

The event also will include the presentation of a $1,000 scholarship, the first one given by the organization.

Kristen Shalosky, a junior and president of the USF Pride Alliance, will welcome guests. Opening remarks will be presented by USF Vice President for Student Affairs Jennifer Capheart-Meningall. Merrell Dickey, University Advancement's assistant alumni program director, will introduce Castor. USF Associate Professor Jennifer Baggerly, counselor education, USF Collaborative for Children, Families and Communities, will present the organization's awards.

For information, call the alumni association at (813) 974-1936.