The message said, “We want you to come to this very hush, hush VIP party for Mayor Daley at the Paris Club.” Well, you can bet this invitation got my attention! And sure enough, this party was filled with all of the faces you would recognize including the 
Bears’ Richard Dent and Greg Olsen, Otis Wilson, NBC’s Larry Wert, Stella Foster, Joe Ahern, Marcus Riley, Jackie Heard, Steve Lombardo, Terry Newman, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, RJ and Jerrod Melman, “Mad Men” star Joel Murray, fitness expert 
Shea Vaughn (mother of Vince), reality star Laura Baron, Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart (“The Eric and Kathy Show”), Alison Rosati, Andrea Metcalf, Natalie Martinez, Ryan Baker, Rob Johnson, Bob Sirott, Anna Davlantes, Thomas Segesta, Colleen Kelly, Pete 
McMurray, Helen Melchior, Paul Iacono, Floyd Elwell, Robert Jordan, Richard Gamble, Marty Wilke, Marissa Rudman, Jim Roche, Micah Materre, Mark Suppelsa, Lourdes Duarte, Steve Sanders, Dan Uslan and Susanna Negovan among many others. The “I 
LOVE MAYOR DALEY” party, hosted by Walter E. Smithe Furniture brothers (Tim, Mark and Walter) in conjunction with Lettuce Entertain You restaurateurs RJ and Jerrod Melman, was held at the new Melman-owned Paris Club, located at 59 W. 
Hubbard. The 300+ crowd filled the room to capacity. Catie Keogh from “24/7” was interviewing VIPs on the Red Carpet and the buzz in the air was thunderous in anticipation of the Mayor’s arrival. Steve Lombardo and Terry Newman, longtime friends 
of the Mayor, preceded him into the room and instantly, the place became electrified. I think Mayor Daley has rock star status and I sure will miss him…but he told me he’s not going anywhere so this contented me for now. The “Daley Double” drinks and Paris 
Club hors d’oeuvres were flowing and everyone was in a high state of excitement. There was a large “Thank You” card hanging on the wall that guests were encouraged to sign, which will be delivered to him as well as opportunities to tape a video. There were so 
many cameras flashing, you could hardly see anyone’s faces and then emcee, entertainer Johnny Vincent, took to the stage. Mayor Daley’s flags of office were held by two darling young girls as Vincent sang 
the National Anthem. Next, Tim Smithe joined his brothers in a moving toast to the Mayor but not before cracking up the crowd with the comment, “You guys are like brothers to me,” when introducing Mark and Walter. Publicist extraordinaire, Kathleen Henson of Henson 
Consulting, quickly brought the Mayor a drink to toast with. Smithe said, “I remember a very different Chicago back in 1989. It seemed inevitable at this time that our great city faced a rust-belt future. But we had one 
thing working for us, we had a new mayor. And for the next 22 years, Mayor Daley engineered the finest urban renaissance like no other. The true testament, however, is not what we say, but what we see in our schools, our streets, our neighborhoods and our parks. So, please raise a glass to a man whose contributions will go down in history as some of the most 
significant in the history of American politics.” And then the crowd erupted in appreciation for the Mayor. Next up, the comedy ensemble Schadenfreude performed a skit as “alderman” from the 53rd ward – they had the Mayor in stitches! – and after the skit, media and sports stars in the crowd were called onstage to sing a rock and roll rendition of “My Kind of Town” created by Poi Dog Pondering lead singer Frank Orrall. Otis 
Wilson, Richard Dent, Alison Rosati, Joe Ahern, Larry Wert and others joined in with the Mayor in singing HIS national anthem! And then the Mayor took the microphone. All of a sudden, you could hear a pin drop as guests strained to hear one of his first yet final farewells:
“I would like to thank all of you for this wonderful reception on behalf of myself, Maggie and my family. And I want to say to you that this IS that type of town. People truly love this city – it’s something ingrained in all of us, whether you were born 
here, moved here or whether you came from overseas, it doesn’t matter. There’s something special about Chicago. And it’s not just one person, but so many people who make up this great mosaic, this great fabric of Chicago that is always changing, always 
looking at things differently, always respecting the past but looking to the future. And this is truly a great city because of its people. And that’s what it is. I’ve travelled all over this country and to a lot of places in the world and 
there’s nothing like coming back to Chicago – that old Midwest values, the feeling that people are real…they want to do something in their lives and they’ve done it right here in Chicago. And I’ve had the great privilege and honor of 22 years to represent you. From my 
viewpoint, whether you agreed or disagreed, didn’t matter what the issue, we all came together to say we can really rebuild this city. And the vision that we all had…and the people gave me a lot of ideas out here…a lot of ideas came from 
just ordinary people. People that just said I want to do something for Chicago and attacked those ideas, implemented those ideas and didn’t wait for any political factions, not to wait for any issue, but to just move ahead. Because if you don’t move ahead, you 
always live in the past and my theory was the future is always brighter…and to see young children all over the city understanding education. If I give them an education, I give them tools for life. If we don’t, we fail as a society. And that’s 
what we really have to believe in, the next generation…I have more confidence, not only in Chicago, but in America. I think the next generation is going to be a better generation than we’ve ever had. And we have to convince ourselves of this 
because sometimes we’re selfish. We start thinking we did everything but no, I think the next generation is going to do things not only for Chicago but America to make us all proud and rebuild our confidence. So we have to have confidence in this country. I really 
believe that. There’s a lot of naysayers and a lot of people who are down. But coming back from China and seeing what China has done. And just their enthusiasm! And that’s what’s important…they love America! I think it’s amazing how they love 
Americans. And they look at us, ‘Boy, look at that country…look at what they’ve achieved.’ And I say, you’ve only seen part of it…we’re going to achieve more in this century than we ever had before. God bless you and thank you.”
The applause was deafening. Tim Smithe shook the Mayor’s hand and said, “I miss you already.” I do, too. (To see ALL of the fab party pics by Mila Samokhina, please click here.)
Renowned author and all around true-to-life socialite, Sugar Rautbord, hosted a party recently at Michael Kors on Michigan Avenue with June Barnard, Whitney Dunn, Eliot 
Weiner, and Phoebe and Michael Nitekman to kick-off the upcoming Chicago Rita Hayworth Gala on May 7th. This champagne and shopping party also benefitted the Alzheimer’s 
Association with 20 percent of the evening’s net proceeds going towards this worthy charity. “Cover Girl,” the 24th Annual Alzheimer’s Association Rita Hayworth Gala, will be held at the Hilton Chicago on Saturday, May 7th 
beginning with a cocktail reception at 6:30 PM. Dinner begins at 8 PM with dancing and entertainment provided by one of my favorite groups around town, Lynne Jordan & the Shivers. If Lynne can’t get you out of your seat, no one can!!! This black tie affair will be chaired by June Barnard along with General Chair, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan. (Don’t cha just love this name?) Tickets begin at $500. For tickets and more info, please call 312.335.5216 or visit www.alz.org/galas. (Click here to see more fab fotos by Steve Starr!)
In celebration of its five years in Chicago, The James Hotel at 55 E. Ontario hosted a celebration of art and community with a one-of-a-kind mixed art exhibition, Mix5Art, curated by five leading cultural institutions. 
The Gene Siskel Film Center at the School of the Art Institute, the Graham Foundation, The Joffrey Ballet, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers and the Monique Meloche Gallery all presented a diverse mix of work in the realms of photography, art, fashion, 
film, dance and architecture. Selections for the exhibit were chosen by the Joffrey Ballet’s Executive Director, Christopher Clinton Conway, the Gene Siskel Film Center’s Eda 
Davidman and Jean de St. Aubin, the Graham Foundation’s Sarah Herda, Leslie Hindman and Abigail Rutherford from Leslie Hindman Auctioneers and Monique Meloche from her own gallery. Leslie Hindman’s Abigail Rutherford showed a 
dramatic preview of vintage pieces which will be available in their upcoming September 20th auction. The Gene Siskel Film Center showed a presentation of highlights from Chicago-
centric films and The Joffrey Ballet featured performances by the students of the Strobel Step-Up Program. The creative raffle prize (estimated at $5,000) included five years of James Hotel favorites including the James 
Chicago Penthouse Loft, dinner at David Burke’s Primehouse with champagne, Cub/Mets tickets, tickets to Steppenwolf, Joffrey performance tickets, and prints by Alice Hargrave and Joel Ross. Some lucky winner got quite a package! Happy 5th birthday to The James!! To see ALL event pics by Mila Samokhina, please click here!
Beautiful and talented actress Angela Bassett was in town recently at a high-profile screening of her latest film, “Jumping the Broom.” Angela was introduced by co-host for the evening, Ebony’s Desiree Rogers, who also gave her a 
beautiful thank-you basket of champagne, chocolate and other goodies. The event was produced by MarCon Communications (Margaret O’Connor) in conjunction with Ebony and the evening’s star proved to be so very 
gracious interacting with guests and continuing on to the after-party at Phoenix Gallery owned by Jennifer Bridgeforth. The VIP crowd included Richard Dent, Otis Wilson, Connie Payton, Mable Bruckner-Payton, 
Keith and Sheila Dorman (Sr. VP and COO of Northern Trust), Dr. Michael O’Meara, Amy Barnett, Rodrigo Sierra, Michel Desjardin, Bernadette Rice, Regina Daniels, Nikki Zollar, Jennifer Bridgeworth, Art Sims, Dr. Carol Adams 
(director of Dusable Museum), Diane McCain, Andrea Watson, Anita Von, Tamara Prather, Ebony McCloud, Debra Smith and Pam Oliver among others. “Jumping the Broom” opens in theaters nationwide on May 6th. The film’s trailer says, “Sometimes the only way to get over family drama is to jump right over it!” Can’t wait! To see MORE event pics by Steve Starr, please click here!
Some of Chicago’s most influential people are coming out to support Mantra for Good, a grassroots organization founded by Chicago’s own Sonya Jackson that brings people 
together to work on projects to improve lives and our world. “Pink is the New Black” will take place at the Park Hyatt, on April 20th, to support the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization. The party at NoMI, from 5:30 – 9 PM, will feature contemporary French hors d’oeuvres prepared by Executive Chef Ryan LaRoche. Hosts include Sonya, Katie McLenaghan, Lynne Bredfeldt, JR Kerr, Amanda Samuels, 
Mick Masuka, Kristen Stone, Nicole Lee, Regina Taylor, DaVida Rice and Maurice Wills. Please join 
me at this wonderful event for a great cause! Tickets are $150 with all proceeds benefitting the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization. For tickets and more info, contact Amanda@hensonconsulting.com / 630-315-2967 or Kathleen@hensonconsulting.com / 630-315-2960.
Our own Chef Art Smith keeps racking up royal requests. Recently, as you may recall, he prepared a sumptuous meal for His Holiness The Dalai Lama, 
who has NOW requested him to cook for him again on his next visit to the United States. No surprise here!! Latest news is that Chef Art will also be cooking dinner for Her Highness Queen Noor of Jordan! To date, Chef Art has lost 115 pounds and is in training with celebrity coach Az Ferguzon for the Chicago Marathon. There’s no stopping him now!! Congrats Chef Art!!!
Chuck and I recently had the pleasure of dining at the BOKA Restaurant Group’s latest restaurant venture, GT Fish & Oyster (located at 531 N. Wells), 
and it was FAB! Chef Giuseppe Tentori has hit a home run with his delicious selections that include lobster rolls with fried onions, BBQ eel, crab agnolotti, Brandade 
croquettes, GT lobster mac and cheese, tuna poke with mango, crab cakes and more with some of the freshest and tastiest oysters and mussels we’ve had in ages! And the clam chowder is a must have! Congrats to Rob Katz, Kevin Boehm and Chef Tentori on what I know will be another huge hit! I can’t wait to go back!!!
The Easter Bunny came to our house early this year! Can you guess who it is???!!! I love this rabbit! Hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s Candid Candace and I will “see” you next week with the lowdown on Chicago’s highlights!!!
Love,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com
P.S. My friend Connie Dickey took this amazing shot in Arizona. Hello, National Geographic!!!
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