I attended the Art Against Aids benefit at the River East Art Center on Thursday, February 26th. I attended because of my friend Aaron Baker but I left with a much broader reason for being there: This event supports the 120-year-old institution Heartland Alliance, which strives and succeeds in helping people living in poverty 
or danger to improve their lives with a focus on supportive services for people living with HIV/AIDS. The honorary co-chairs for this event were Aaron Baker and Princess Kasune Zulu. Aaron is the curator and business development director for Playboy’s Corporate Art Collection. 
Princess Kasune started her HIV/AIDS activism work in 1997 in her native country, Zambia. After losing both parents to AIDS and testing positive herself, Zulu embarked on a campaign to fight the global AIDS epidemic. Through a nationally-syndicated radio series entitled “Positive Living,” she became a household name and the program received honors from the U.S. Embassy in Zambia for excellence in 
broadcasting. She has also been lauded by the United Nations Secretary General, former President George W. Bush, former Secretary of State Colin 
Powell and numerous ambassadors from countries around the world. Steven Zick, vice president and head of office for Christie’s Fine Art Auctioneers in Chicago, conducted the live auction which included works by Sarah Bierman, Richard Lane, Maggie Meiners, Rebecca May, Mel Odom along with a 
signed lithograph by Ed Paschke. Sara Lee sponsored the event and it was hosted by the Junior Board of the Heartland Alliance. The event attracted over 400 people and raised approximately $100,000. Photos from top right: Art Against Aids benefit at the River East Art Center; honorary co-chair Aaron Baker, Brian Smuts, Eric Han and Steven Zick; honorary co-chair Princess Kasune Zulu and me; Rob LoPrete and David Germaine; Veronica Zepeda; photographer Steve Starr.
Restaurateur Jerry Kleiner seems to be very quiet lately but don’t be fooled. He has three new – well, sort of new – restaurants on the horizon. First of all, he’s retooling Room 21 into an Italian restaurant which will be called Via Ventuno because feels he needs to offer people a less expensive alternative from the old Room 21 in this economy. His spacious outdoor courtyard will be the perfect spot for a pizza oven and the 
restaurant will be opening in the next three months. He is also opening a new Italian restaurant in Hinsdale which will open the third week in April at 8 First St. But “the most interesting restaurant he’s ever done” (no name yet) will be opening in May at 1419 N. Wells St. (which coincidentally, is my husband’s old building—what a small world!) It will be like an old-time circa 1940s private club except it will be open to the public with “affordable elegance.” Welcome to the ‘hood, Jerry!!!!! I can’t wait…. Photos: Jerry Kleiner; inside Room 21.
Well, it’s about time someone shows some respect for shorter people in the modeling world…Kate Moss (5’7”) can’t be the only one!! Tyra Banks has made a BIG decision for next season’s “America’s Next Top Model” because she is only casting girls 5’ 7” and UNDER! The casting director explains: “Since the show started, we’ve always had girls under 5’ 7” asking and begging, quite frankly, Tyra to please give them a chance,” she says. “I mean, she would get stopped in the street, in restaurants, anywhere, by girls asking how they can do it being as short as they are. We’ve been thinking 
about it for a while now what a great opportunity to give these girls. The show is all about opportunity—Kate Moss is a prime example.” Although according to Sunny D’s web comment, this isn’t so. “This is just the latest in a long line of gimmicks from Tyra/ANTM. Not one of these girls have gone on to have successful modeling careers. This show routinely casts aspirants who don’t meet the industry standards; then tortures them by making them do tongue-twisters in Catalan, submerge 
themselves in ice water, shave their heads, jump double-dutch in the nude, and countless other inane stunts that have nothing to do with fashion modeling.” I think Sunny D has Tyra’s number. And since I was called a short 5’ 7” by the world famous model/agent Wilhelmina, I can relate in my own little own way….:-) Maybe getting TV time is enough for these girls….I sure hope so. Photos from top right: Tyra Bank (photo from Getty Images); fashion icon (and "short" model) Kate Moss; ANTM Cycle 3 winner Eva Pigford (currently the shortest "Top Model" winner at 5' 6.5").
For more news on the fashion front….congratulations to local designer Sam Kori George for winning the Oscar Design Challenge! George walked the red carpet with model Lauren Gish who was wearing his creation and watched her carry statuettes during the recent Academy Awards. His winning dress was shown at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and may well be in the Chicago 
History Museum by now. George says, “It would be an honor to donate it to the museum and have it on view there.” Chicago seems to be becoming a real fashion hotspot with all of the media attention that began when First Lady Michelle Obama began wearing Maria 
Pinto designs (Pinto was also in the running for the Oscar Design Challenge). Recently, W Magazine devoted a two-page spread to local designers and partners, Shane Gabier and Christopher Peters of Creatures of the Wind designs. They debuted their fall 2008 collection that was inspired by “creepy ‘60s communes.” Don’t be scared off, though: They are both highly creative alums of the famed School of the Art Institute. Move over New York because Chicago is ready for its close-up! Photos from top left: Sam Kori George with model Lauren Gish; Maria Pinto and Michelle Obama; Shane Gabier and Christopher Peters.
You never know who you’re going to run into! My friend, Rhonda Sanderson got the chance to meet former President Bill Clinton recently in San Diego where he was keynote speaker at the International Franchise Association’s 49th Annual Convention. Rhonda is a key player in the IFA, having served on the Board of Directors in 2002 and serving the franchise community with her Chicago-based PR firm, Sanderson & Associates since 1984. Congratulations on your great career and your wonderful philanthropic support of PAWS, Joffrey Ballet, Common Threads and many other worthy organizations. Photo: Rhonda Sanderson and former President Bill Clinton at the IFA Convention.
I also want to thank Michigan Avenue Magazine for their wonderful coverage of my winter CandidCandace blog launch party sponsored by Dismero. If you haven’t seen a copy yet, here's a preview (just click the photo to enlarge). Thanks so much for being so supportive, Mich Mag! :)
Well, we’re off to South Beach tomorrow so my next blog will be bringing you all of the sights of Miami including fashion, restaurant and hotel trends!
Thanks again for checking in! I am now going to leave you to be enchanted by the darling little being that is known as Kingsford.
Love,
Candace :)
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