Who said the economy isn’t doing so well? Two of our town’s favorite events both broke records this week! I guess if you love a charity, you support it. Period. PAWS Chicago’s “All Paws on Deck” Beach Party attracted 500+ guests 
and 200 pets and broke all records this year with the results topping out at over $220,000 raised for this worthy cause. Even Governor Quinn showed up with his own little dog, Bailey, and signed two important pet rights bills into law. One of 
the bills requires the addition of a bitter flavor to antifreeze and engine coolant sold in Illinois which is meant to prevent poisonings (they currently have sweet tastes and can pose a threat to animals 
and children); the Humane Society of the U.S. says about 90,000 animals are poisoned each year from this. The other bill prohibits private ownership of primates as pets, spurred by the tragic incident last year where a pet chimpanzee in Connecticut attacked its owner’s friend. It was so exciting to have him attend! One guest reminded me that last year, President Obama flew over in 
a helicopter! The Beach Party is a politico magnet, I am happy to report! Lisa Dent from US99.5 emceed and the Underwater People kept everyone on the dance floor. The evening began with delectable appetizers and a huge beachy buffet with everything tasty imaginable 
included. Castaways did an incredible job! There was even an authentic Chicago Hot Dog Cart which was another big hit of the evening! The live and silent auctions were loaded with one-of-a-kind packages like tickets for two to “Dancing with the Stars,” being a guest chef for a night at Charlie Trotter’s, a “Pretty Woman Weekend” to L.A. with first-class airfare, dinner 
and a private car, two tickets to a Blackhawks game plus an autographed Patrick Kane 
jersey and a Zamboni ride, and last but not least, the chance for your pets to be the “poster children” for next year’s Beach Party! The total numbers aren’t finalized yet but preliminary estimates show that the auction items are up over 50 percent, attendance increased by 25 percent, sponsorships 
increased by 40 percent and raffle dollars increased by 116 percent! Kudos to co-chairs Bonnie Spurlock and Christine Mallul, who along with their committee, made this year’s Beach Party the best one in 
the history of PAWS! Christine even made custom necklaces for the host committee with images of their pets on them as thank-you gifts! Every detail was attended to and then some for this fabulous and fun annual event! There were even Chicago’s top models there who greeted guests and with megawatt smiles and leis for 
everyone who attended. It was an exciting, well-planned party where everyone – furry and otherwise – had a blast! Even the weather cooperated after a threat of rain…which miraculously ended as soon as the party began. I knew Bonnie and Christine were good but not THIS good…WOW! Anyway, mark your calendars now for next year’s fun! I don’t know how anyone will be able to top this but I know it will be fun, as always! Woof! Woof! :) (Pics by Caitlin Saville & moi...click here for more!)
The next record-breaking event was held on the same evening as the Beach Party at the Peninsula. The Sixth Annual Chefs & the City event, benefitting Vital Bridges, was a sellout that 
attracted almost 600 people. Over 30 chefs participated in this year’s fundraiser including Arun Sampanthaviviat (Arun’s), Ryan Poli (Perrenial), Chris Pandel (The Bristol), Koren Grieveson (avec), Bill Kim (Urban Belly and Belly Shack), Michael Sheerin 
(Blackbird), Reginald Watkins (Charlie Trotter’s), Curtis Duffy (Avenues), Phillip Foss (Lockwood Restaurant), Jason McLeod (Ria), Jeremy Sher (Swirlz Cupcakes) and Andrew Zimmerman (Sepia) among many others. RL’s Chef Ryan Pitts was the Chef Chair. CS Magazine’s Graham Kostic presented 
fabulous fashions celebrating the glamour and fun of summer 2010 on gorgeous models throughout the evening with selections from The 900 Shops. There were so many exciting auction offerings including “Dinner at 8 for 8” prepared by Chef Rick Gresh 
(David Burke’s Primehouse) with Allen Bros. meats as well as wines; party for four at Horseshoe Casino to hear Tony Bennett; a Francine Turk charcoal drawing; a progressive dinner for four at Blackbird, avec and Publican in a horse 
drawn carriage; and a custom designed cocktail dress by Chicago designer Elda de la Rosa, among many other exciting food and fashion packages. The grand raffle winner, Tom Pickett, won dinner for two with wine at 12 restaurants, including a majority of those participating. Honorary chairs for the event were 
Lee Blackwell Baur, Graham Kostic, Amanda Puck and moi. Additional event chairs included Bill Lasche of Vital Bridges’ Board of Directors; Rich Varnes 
(GM of RL Restaurant); Joyce Dawson and Ryan Ruskin. The food was amazing and each chef took great care to prepare a unique dish for the event. Chef Curtis Duffy of Avenues prepared Wagu beef with pistachio, summer truffles and spring onion samplings; 
Blackbird’s Chef Michael Sheerin (a Food & Wine Best New Chef, July 2010) prepared braised octopus with green tomatoes, watermelon and fried okra; Chef Bill Kim prepared olive oil poached 
shrimp with watermelon and spearmint while Chef Ryan Poli (Perennial) delighted the crowd of foodies with delicious deconstructed fish tacos! It was a feast for all of your senses in every way! This record-breaking party benefitted Vital Bridges which, for 22 years, has helped people living with HIV/AIDS 
with few resources to get the food, housing and care they need to improve their health and build productive lives. Vital Bridges fills this need by providing high quality, nutritious food for over 500,000 meals from their five program sites in Chicago and the suburbs. They 
have served over 10 million meals to date and have more than 400 dedicated volunteers. Of every dollar raised, 82 cents goes directly to client services and the $120,000 net raised this night will provide over 35,000 nutritious meals. UBS was the proud lead sponsor for this event and Vital Bridges’ Charles Benya worked 
tirelessly to make this party the best one yet. Guests included Todd Hatoff, Tom Polucci (Vital Bridges’ Board Chair), John Carroll, Donnie Madia, Greg Hyder, Jim Smith, Victor Zarroli, Cindy 
Burns, Hazel Barr, Cynthia Olsen, Sheila O’Grady, Marcus Riley, Sun-Times’ Elizabeth Hamel, John Volk, Paul Iacono, Kelli Zink, Scotty McClellan, Ryan Ruskin, Bill Lasche, Mary 
Ann Weiner, Amanda Puck, Graham Kostic, Chris Sofka, Chris Glatz, Kim Winzeler, Lynn Fordon, Steve Kadlec, Joyce Dawson, Cynthia Varnes, Anthony Vayos, Eda Davidman and many, many others. What a 
wonderful event that just keeps getting better and better! The VIP After-Party, which went until midnight at RL, hosted 200 guests. They had removed the 
tables in the middle of the room to make space for all of the happy revelers. GM Rich Varnes was the Host with the Most! Congrats to everyone who helped break records this year for Chefs & the City! Check the website for next year’s fun and I hope to see you there!!! (Pics by Caitlin Saville & moi...click here to view more!)
It was a GREAT week for parties in Chicago!!! The Kohler/Chicago magazine “Bold & Beautiful” event was held at the Merchandise Mart in the beautiful Kohler showroom Wednesday night. 
Over 200 guests came out to toast the honorees who included Linda Novick O’Keefe, Mindy Segal, Laura Schwartz, Catie Keogh and moi! These ladies are all so accomplished and it was an honor to be included in their 
company. Linda O’Keefe is executive director of Common Threads, an organization which is committed to educating Chicago’s youth about cultural diversity, the culinary arts, and the importance of nutrition. Catie 
Keough is the host and executive producer of 24/7 Chicago on NBC5 and trained at Second City. Laura Schwartz is the author of “Eat, Drink and Succeed,” the founder and principal of White House Strategies, a 
former Special Assistant to the President and White House Director of Events during the Clinton administration and an international television commentator appearing regularly on Fox News. Mindy Segal is chef and owner of 
Hot Chocolate, was named “Best Chef in Chicago” by Chicago magazine and has also received rave reviews in the New York Times as well as Conde Nast Traveler. The party was so much fun, lots of friends and great food courtesy of The Chopping Block. Seen celebrating in the crowd were Dan Duffy 
and Sheila O’Grady Duffy, George Jewell, Johnny Haskett, Chris Draska, Mark Bell, Helen Melchior, Jocelyn Stoller, Hazel Barr, Cindy Burns, Brooke Gless, James Deague, Franco La Marca, Anthony Contrucci, Bonnie Schultz, Natasha Lindad, Sal Cianciolo (Kohler Manager), Kim Morris (Destination Kohler), Scott 
Bobek, Sandy and Chakib Doghmi, Greg Hyder, Susan Ellefson, Ken Norgan, Andrea Schwartz, Julee White, Jon Wool, Chicago magazine’s Natalie Sturgis, Leslie Hindman, Jen Knoedel, Ed and Mike Howlett, Richard Braido and Marcin, Paul Iacono, Nick O’Keefe, Chicago magazine’s Rich Gamble, Julie Johnson, Kathy Lidbury and her handsome Dan, Stephen Potter, Laura Baron and Cristina Montgomery among others. After the party, Chuck and I went to 33 Club with friends to celebrate our golden wedding anniversary...21 years on the 21st! :) (Pics by Caitlin Saville and moi...click here for more!)
And speaking of honors, I want to congratulate my friend Linda O’Keefe on yet another accolade, this time from the ADL (Anti-Defamation League). Linda was named one of their Rising Stars for 2010 by this prestigious organization which fights anti-semitism and all forms 
of bigotry in the U.S. and abroad through education, legislation and advocacy. Last March, another friend, Barbara Levy Kipper, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from this organization, too. Kudos to my deserving, award winning friends! :)
That’s it for another week of Candid Candace. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and I hope you are all enjoying these dog days of summer… :)
Love,
Candace
[email protected]
You are amazing! I love you this style!
Posted by: Puma Clyde | August 16, 2010 at 03:01 AM