CHICAGO MAGAZINE CHOOSES FIVE “MEN TO WATCH!”

Chicago magazine could not have chosen five better men to feature in their upcoming “Men to Watch” article. Greg Hyder, Emmanuel Nony, Rick Gresh, Tom Kehoe and Luca Lanzetta are not only extremely good businessmen but they’re also gorgeous and, best of all, really NICE guys! Yeah!!! Finally, nice counts for something in this crazy world! I could not be happier for them AND for Chicago magazine under the new leadership of publisher Rich Gamble. Rich could also be one of the “Men to Watch” but then I guess this wouldn’t really look good since it IS his magazine but in any case, he is already breathing fresh life into a Chicago favorite and I wish him the very best! Back to the guys: David Yurman hosted a bash at 40 E. Oak to celebrate these “Men to Watch” and even a cold rainy night couldn’t keep the legions of friends and fans away from toasting these deserving guys. Champagne glasses tinkled, toasts were made and the gorgeous Yurman jewelry beckoned everyone. Store manager Laura Wallace had her hands full just trying to keep up with the demands behind the counter. Chicago’s fashion editor, Stacey Jones, snagged a magnificent “Hampton Blue” ring (sterling silver with diamonds) while Cindy Burns picked up a stunning “Confetti” ring. The only honoree missing was Tom Kehoe and, as you may know from the last installment of Candid Candace, he had a REALLY good excuse: Tom and his crew were busy decorating the White House for Halloween! I am so thrilled for him…he must’ve thought Christmas came early this year! His business, Kehoe Designs, has been around since 1996 and he has always been the go-to guy for event décor and design. It seems like everywhere you go, you are at a party or event where he has worked his magic. I once took a tour of his design space and I felt like Alice falling down the rabbit hole. He truly brings dreams to life as Michelle and Barack know by now. Our next “Man to Watch” is Emmanuel Nony. Born in Lille, France, Emmanuel is the owner of the River West restaurant, Sepia located at 123 N. Jefferson. Sepia is on everyone’s hot list and offers a product-driven seasonal menu by Chef Andrew Zimmerman in a rustic yet contemporary space. Emmanuel is an extremely dapper guy who says his clothing choices have been influenced by his nine years spent in Asia—at the Park Hyatt Tokyo to be exact  (where “Lost in Translation” was filmed). He’s a gracious and charming selection for this feature. Rick Gresh, another restaurateur, is the executive chef at David Burke’s Primehouse. Rick has an impressive resume: He grew up in the Cleveland area earning an associate degree in culinary arts at the nationally renowned Culinary Institute of America. He landed an externship at the Waldorf-Astoria and, as executive chef of Green Dolphin Street, he was awarded a 3-star review from the Chicago Tribune. In 2001, Gresh was named a “Rising Star of American Cuisine” by the James Beard Foundation and in 2006 he was a USA finalist in the prestigious Bocuse D’Or competition. As you can see, yet another winning honoree! Greg Hyder has always been a “Man to Watch” in my opinion. Besides being a good friend, he is also the “King of Fun.” If Greg hasn’t been there, then you don’t want to go. He is an enthusiastic friend to so many and you can’t look at a charity host committee where his name doesn’t appear. And I don’t mean his name is just added and he doesn’t do any work….he works harder than anyone! He is a wonderful ambassador for the Peninsula Hotel as catering director where he brings his own unique brand of charm, grace and style. There isn’t a best dressed list that he hasn’t been on and deservedly so! Mark your calendars now for the May 21st Gift of Sight Gala where he will also be awarded the 2010 Man of Vision Award. I couldn’t be happier for him! And last but certainly not least, we have Luca Lanzetta and, at the risk of embarrassing him, he had the girls swooning for most of the evening. He’s a dashing man with an obvious flair for business. He has two showrooms in the Mart — Ernestomeda (specializing in modern, unique kitchen design) as well as Antoniolupi (specializing in modern European bathrooms). Born in Rome, his business holdings are international.  He is an engineer by trade hence his strong design sensibilities which enhances his vision for his clients. He’s a very charming man and another very deserving honoree. Congrats to all and look for this upcoming issue of Chicago magazine to see more of these “Men to Watch!” Click here to view more photos.

If you didn’t see the fabulous documentary “The Heart of Hollywood: The Chicago Link” produced by our very own Brenda Sexton and Resolution Digital Studios this weekend then, sadly, you missed a great tribute to Chicago film talent. On September 21st in Santa Monica, there was a star-studded reunion of Chicago’s entertainment icons at La Grande Orange, a new restaurant owned by Chicagoans Rich Melman, his sons RJ and Jerrod and restaurateur Bob Lynn. Richard Roeper and Bill Zwecker were the red carpet hosts and also interviewed many from the Chicago film community including writers, directors, producers and actors for this film such as Harold Ramis, Chris O’Donnell, Joe Mantegna, Virginia Madsen, Tom Dreesen, Jeff Garlin, Bonnie Hunt, Effie Brown, Bob Teitel, Peter Jacobson, Ed Bernero, Gary Gray, Andrew Alexander, Steve Conrad, Steve Jones and Martha Lavey among others. Tom Dreesen, the emcee for both the LA event and the Chicago premiere, stated, “Chicagoans in LA are a very loyal crowd. There is nothing more fun than getting together and hanging out, eating real Chicago pizza in LA. And we naturally talk about our projects and figure out ways to bring that business back home. Recently, at the grand Elysian Hotel, there was a party to celebrate the premiere of this film. These two events successfully united two cities that are both steeped in rich cultural traditions and I congratulate the event sponsors AT&T, United Airlines, Columbia College and the Elysian for having the foresight to support such a wonderful endeavor. Guests attending included former Super Bowl Bear, Richard Dent, Elysian hosts Mary Beth Malone and David Pisor, Peg and Steve Lombardo, Bruce MacArthur, Billy Marovitz, Lee and Jeff Facklis, Jeff Jacobs, Marty and Jack Higgins, Maureen Schulman, Dick Portillo, Denis Healy, Mickey Norton, Trevian Kutti, Patrick Plante, Jocelyn Stoller, Gina Macchitelli, Julee White, Eitsa Bizios, Sarah Cooley, Michelle Carney, Meghan Roskopf, Amy Grundman, Susan Bloomquist, Nicolle Briscoe and Sean Eshagy. The host committee included Carrie Birkel, Christopher Conway, Senator Ken Dunkin, Chaz Ebert, Sonya Jackson, Sherren Leigh, Debbie Marchese, Lyn McKeaney, Helen Melchior, Rich, RJ and Jerrod Melman, Susanna Negovan, Steve Traxler, Julee White and Larry Wert among others. (Additional photos by Jennifer Girard.) For more photos, click here.

Steve Starr is one of my favorite photographers but he’s so much more than this. I have known Steve for 25 years since he had Steve Starr Studios on Clark Street. He had every manner of unique finds there but what I remember most were all of those exquisite vintage art deco frames holding photos of every major star from the Hollywood studio days. His book, “Picture Perfect—Art Deco Photo Frames 1926-1946” published by Rizzoli International Publications, showcased many of these rare frames and now he is coming out with another book!  His latest venture, called “STARRLIGHT—Glamorous Latin Movie Stars of Early Hollywood,” will be published in 2010 and will include images of Rita Hayworth, Carmen Miranda, Dolores Del Rio and Lupe Velez among others. It seems he has photographed just about everybody who is anybody including Beyonce, Mickey Rooney, Dionne Warwick, Angie Dickinson, Carlos Zambrano, Jaslene Gonzalez, William Peterson, Geraldo Rivera, Chaz Palminterri, Jamie Foxx, Lynda Carter, Rita Moreno, Tony Curtis, Martin Landau, Debra Messing and Princess Yasmin Aga Kahn, to name a very few. Steve’s photography also appears in most of the publications around town and I’ve been lucky enough to use many of his pics in Candid Candace. He recently attended a Hollywood Collectibles convention and was kind enough to share some photos with me. Take a look at them now…I guess this just proves that we will all grow old, but some of us better than others! Thanks for the memories Steve! We will be looking forward to your new book! Check out SteveStarrStudios.com where you can visit the Starrlight Room, view a portion of Steve’s famous frame collection, read Starrlight stories and enjoy photos, letters and autographs he has received from his favorite luminaries over the years. :) (Photos by Steve Starr, obviously!) Click here for even more of Steve's fantastic photos.

Every fall my friend John Young hosts one of the most coveted parties around and this year he pulled out all stops. He hosted a party at his magnificent Brompton Gardens showcasing the fabulous Malbec wines of Cahors in the southwestern region of France. The history of Cahors winemaking goes back to the era of ancient Rome and was even served on the tables at the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitane to Henry II of England. The party always includes members of academia, city officials, Chicago’s social elite and friends and neighbors and since he is a garden designer/artist non pareil, everyone is anxious to attend. His many private and commercial projects win almost every coveted design award at the Mayor’s annual competition (Our garden won second place in the residential division under his masterful vision). Lucky guests in attendance included Kathleen Charles, John Robert Wiltgen, Alicia Loftis, David Dodson, Marina Kibardina, retired U.S. Army Brigadier General, Roy R. Moscato, VP of Rush University, Kathleen Andreoli, Steven Doi, Roy May, Joyce and Bruce Chelberg, Charles Vuono, Dr. Chris Henley, Debbie Galasi and Jeff Hoosin among others. Can’t wait until next year John to see how you will top this! (Additional photos by Ron Capek.) Click here for more photos.
 
I am so proud to congratulate my friend Judge Mary Patricia Burns! Just last week the Illinois State Senate confirmed her appointment to the Illinois Court of Claims. Her brother, renowned sports writer Martin Burns, commented, “Surely designer robes soon will become the rage on Benches all across our great land as our ‘wise Irishwoman’ begins her ascent up the judicial ladder. Look out, Sonia Sotomayor!” We are so lucky to have you for a Judge Mary Pat!!! There are so many friends achieving wonderful things! I also want to send out huge kudos to the Joffrey Executive Director Christopher Clinton Conway and Experiential Agency’s Amanda Puck for being chosen for Crain’s “40 Under 40” honors! Check out this web site for all of the honorees.
 
Speaking of fabulousness, designer Marcia Patmos - half of the design duo Lutz & Patmos - will be in town on November 19th for an exclusive trunk show co-hosted by Mary Jo Basler, Deirdre Huxhold and moi! Contact Deirdre at 312-375-4754 or at [email protected] for more info.

Under the heading of “Ridiculous or Sublime?” I offer up this piece of news: Recently, Hefner Twittered “Buy Crystal’s Boobies” Well naturally, being curious, I went to the web site posted and sure enough, she WAS selling her boobies! Hef’s girlfriend, Crystal Harris, teamed up with artist Randy Janson to raise money for the “Keep A Breast Foundation.” Their mission is to raise awareness among young teens and adults across the country about breast cancer prevention. The plaster cast of her upper torso is up for auction to raise funds. If you would like to bid on Crystal’s boobies, click here. I can’t believe I just wrote this….
 
That is it for this week’s Candid Candace! I hope you’ve enjoyed it and I will “talk” to you next week!
 
Love,

Candace :)

P.S. Don’t forget all of the great events surrounding Latino Fashion Week which runs through November 8th! Check it out here!

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