Miami Herald - August 15, 2004
Daisy Olivera, dolivera@herald.com

The Fanjul family (owners of Florida Crystals sugar) owns the resort and every year Lian Fanjul Azqueta and husband Norberto, take the opportunity to add charity to the fun during the eagerly awaited weekend in August for the Mission International Rescue Foundation which Lian founded 13 years ago to help abused, low-income, young women, many of whom are prostitutes.

MIR helps over 12,000 girls a year with medical care, an AIDS program, an orphanage and more. They are also given the opportunity to learn job skills to make a life for themselves and their children.

During the four-day fte there is plenty to do. Activities include golf, barbecues, a luncheon, fashion shows, auctions, shopping, private parties and the pice de r sistance: the gala, for which tickets range from $300 to $1000 per person.

This time it was held in La Palapa, a ballroom-sized, thatched "hut" that took tropical splendor to new heights. Men wore dapper guayaberas and most women were dressed elegantly for the tropics, in white and bright colors.

Lucrecia, was the gala's headliner. The Cuban-born Warner Music artist flew directly from her home in Barcelona, Spain, where she has lived for over a decade and where she has her own television show and will star in the musical, Celia Cruz.

Lucrecia brought the house down with her high-energy singing and the audience would not let her leave, bringing her back for several encores.

Colombian designer Silvia Tcherassi, who presented the fashion show, designed Lucrecia's sexy, hot-pink silk gown. Lucrecia will also perform at the Voices for Children gala on November 6 in Merrick Park.

Among the guests were Joan March, Lucrecia's husband; Lyanne Azqueta Fanjul (daughter); Aleco and Caro Azqueta; Alfie Fanjul; Bren Simon, board member of New Hope Charities; Michael Valdez, CEO and president of Herencia Spa Products; Nestor Rodr guez, executive director of Voices for Children Foundation; Angel Medina, of the Latin Builders Association and Union Planters Bank; Michelle Zubizarreta; Omer Pardillo-Cid, Celia Cruz's former manager; architect Willy Bermello and wife Daysi Tere Benach from Commerce Bank; singer Carlos Ponce and brother Francisco, his manager; singer, Shalim; Adolfo Henriques, president of Union Planters; and Liz, Leslie and Marta Pant n; Maria Elena Salinas, Univision news anchor who emceed the gala; Senator Bill Nelson and wife Grace.

CHAMPAGNE HOMECOMING

Socialite and world traveler, the enchanting Christina Getty (granddaughter of J. Paul) celebrated a birthday on Saturday at the equally enchanting restaurant, Casa Tua on Miami Beach. Husband Arin Maercks gathered over one hundred friends for a champagne reception and cake in the second-floor lounge.

The couple recently returned to Miami after spending several months visiting family in Europe, so the party vibe was an enthusiastic 'Welcome Home.' Among the well-wishers were Michael Breene, co-owner of the Setai Group and Romina Frecha; entrepreneur Harry Kohlmann with Park Street Advisors; Tony Miros, public relations and marketing coordinator for Care Resource; Laura Buccellati; model Gary Bailey; Michel and Erika Koopman; entrepreneur Alvaro Cuadrado, just back from London; Mario Leon; Gingi Beltr n with Cervera Real Estate.

A last note: Ocean Drive's nightlife columnist, the stylish Suzy Buckley, hobbled around at the Getty party with a broken foot. Skiing? No. A stiletto was smashed into her metatarsal at a SOBE club. Society reporting is not as easy as it seems.

PALATE PLEASER

There is new place to dine on South Beach's Washington Avenue. Sage on Fifth opened its doors Thursday with an invitation-only cocktail party where more than 150 VIP's were able to sample goodies from the eclectic menu. The 60-seat restaurant -- owned and operated by Gustavo Sanjurjo, Maria Kronfeld, Myrna Torres and executive chef Frank Lania -- fulfills the group's dream of launching a friendly neighborhood restaurant, appealing to tourists and locals alike. Lania prepares innovative dishes featuring flavors and ingredients from all corners of the world.

Selections included Intoxicating Scallops over truffled potato mash topped with Russian caviar and Caribbean crab cakes with papaya relish and sweet corn sauce, followed by mini chocolate Volcano cakes and peanut brittle.

The restaurant is open for dinner and will open for lunch within the next few weeks.

VIP's included DJ Tamara G from 99JAMS radio; attorney James Parker and wife Cynthia; Joanne Butcher from the Bass Museum; Meredith Morgan from The Townhouse Hotel; Dr. Charles Radlauer from the gourmand group, Chane des Rtisseurs.

Tropical Nights is a weekly chronicle of South Florida society.

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