Plus Jackson Chance Foundation plays it forward; Broadway Joe honored in NY; Boys & Girls Clubs imagine the possibilities; Heartland Alliance's Candlelight Ball; The Wings to Cure; Auditorium Theatre's Fall Gala; 2017 International Red Cross Diamond Centennial Ball at Mar-a-Lago; The Art of Fashion; Chicago Children's Museum's "illuminating" gala; Pritzker Museum's patriotic Liberty Gala; Service Club Holiday Luncheon; CASL honors Bernie and Esther; Kandy Kane Ball is Frozen; ZooLa 2016; Ignite the Night; The Arts Club of Chicago celebrates 100; Women Driving Excellence; Feelin' Scroogey; Videos and SOOO much MORE
The Chicago Chapter of Wish Upon A Wedding hosted their 7th Annual Blissful Wishes Ball on November 7 at Morgan Manufacturing. More than 425 guests gathered to celebrate Wish-Upon-A-
Wedding’s mission to provide weddings and vow renewals for couples facing serious illness or life-altering circumstances in all 50 states AND to celebrate the 100th wish granted in Chicago! It was a joyous night led by the new president of
the Chicago chapter, Michelle Durpetti and gala chair Misha Newgren. The “Metallic Tie” themed ball decor was spectacular and designed by nine of
Chicago's top event specialists who joined together to make this one memorable night. I loved the details that began at the spectacular photo opp area featuring a leopard settee with a stuffed quail, candelight, chandeliers
and more into the dining space that literally took your breath away. Each table was stamped with a top designers' hallmark from floating boughs of lights to a canopy of flowers. The evening began with an unforgettable performance by drummers from Beatmix Legacy Drumline exuberantly summoning guests into dinner. A touching, special ceremony was emceed by WGN
TV’s Dina Bair. The 100th wish recipient, Anne Carmean (her husband Jon, who couldn't attend due to babysitting duties), was introduced and presented with a custom painting of her and her husband. I was so proud to be a Shining Star recipient along with
Jessie Paré and Dan Bernstein. I felt very humbled
to be honored for doing something I love so much. The program also included a cocktail reception, seated dinner provided by Food For Thought, remarks from Wish Upon A Wedding’s National Board President Ali Phillips
and President Michelle Durpetti, a live art performance by Elliot From, a live art auction and an “Afterglow” dance party provided by Becca Kaufman and 55 (!!!!) Becca Kaufman Orchestra musicians.
Fabulous floral designers for the evening included HMR, Revel, StemLine Creative, Erin McDonald Co., Kesh Designs, Exquisite Designs, Fragrant Designs, Vale of Enna and Stems.
Other generous sponsors included Hall’s Rental Service, Nuage Linen, Frost Lighting, New Moon, Gesture, Studio This Is Photography, Wholehearted Film, Paramount Events Catering, VIP Valet, Bowery & Bash, Renee Rose, Magnificent Milestones, Art of Imagination, Okyne Medialab, Taco in A Bag and Mirar Productions. It was a love-filled
night for this most deserving non-profit that was founded in 2010 as a way to celebrate the courage, determination and spirit of couples, where one individual in the relationship is faced with a
terminal diagnosis by granting their dream wedding wish, and for these chosen recipients to inspire other couples facing similar situations to find hope and strength. The charity also grants “Urgent Wishes” for individuals who are imminently ill. These smaller, intimate ceremonies may take place in a couple's home, hospital or hospice
facility within a few weeks after their wish is approved by the charity.
More than 350 supporters attended the Western Golf Association's 6th annual Green Coat Gala held on November 4 at the Peninsula. The black-tie event featured the
legendary Johnny Miller, a two-time major champion and NBC analyst, as guest speaker. All proceeds benefited the Evans Scholars Foundation, a non-profit administered by the WGA which provides full college tuition and housing scholarships to caddies. During the evening, veteran NBC/Golf Channel
commentator and emcee Mark Rolfing conducted a “fireside chat” with Miller, where they touched on topics including balancing family and career, his time on the tour and how
caddying helped grow his love of golf. Miller was inducted into the Caddie Hall of Fame, which celebrates those who have devoted their lives to the game of golf through caddying or supporting the role of caddies. “My start (caddying) made me fall in love with golf for
the rest of my life,” he said. Notable Caddie Hall of Fame members include Program founder Charles Chick Evans, Jr., Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus, actor Bill Murray, Mike Keiser (Bandon Dunes founder)
and Andrew Martinez, who caddied for Miller for 12 years. Miller, 69, got his start as a caddie at San Francisco Golf Club and went on to dominate the PGA TOUR in the mid-1970s, winning 14 PGA Tour events between 1974 and 1976. He was the PGA Tour’s leading money-winner and Player of the
Year in 1974. He is remembered by most golf fans for his brilliance at the 1973 U.S. Open when he carded a masterful final-round 63 – dubbed “The Miracle at Oakmont” – to capture his first
major championship. Miller was named lead analyst on NBC Sports’ golf coverage team in 1990 and quickly made his mark as the sport’s most candid commentator. In May 1998, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Florida. Zack Sielck was
the featured Evans Scholar speaker at the event. A freshman at Purdue University, he caddied at McHenry Country Club in McHenry, Illinois. He shared his story of how the Evans Scholarship and caddying changed his life. Growing up, he bounced from various foster homes before finding a safe haven with his current parents, Brigid and Jason. As he began to heal from childhood wounds, he began caddying – not knowing that it would change his life. See his touching story below....!
“Caddying is the outlet that restored my confidence, helped me believe in the person I could be and built me up into who I am today,” he shared with the crowd. “I have broken down some of the barriers I built growing up. Earning the Evans Scholarship has allowed me to push my boundaries and strive for more. I
am beyond blessed to be a part of the Evans Scholars family – and to finally find a place where I belong.” He looked to friend Joe Schmidt, who appears in the video, as his mentor. At the event, he jumped into his arms to thank him. It was so touching. Joe's girlfriend, Sheryl Dyer, looked on beaming with pride at this touching moment. She said, "These special kids have to maintain a 4.0 grade point average all through high
school and college, as well as character interviews. Joe loves this kid and so many of the scholars. St. Pat's has the largest number of success stories of kids getting into Ivy League schools because of him. I'm so proud of Joe!" During the event, longtime supporter Joey DiBuono was invited to become a director. During the summer, he raised funds from his golf tournament and donated the
proceeds to the Evans Scholars Program. Past featured speakers at the Green Coat Gala have included Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Gary Player. The funds raised from the 2016 event will help
send caddies to college – at a time when a record number of applicants are applying for the Evans Scholarship. Currently, 935 Evans Scholars are attending 20 universities nationwide. The
event, co-chaired by Tim and Stacey Cavanagh, Mick and Karen O’Rourke, Mike and Sharyl Mackey and Bill Rogers, raised $900,000 (a record for the event) to help send deserving caddies to college through the Evans Scholars Foundation.
The Jackson Chance Foundation hosted its 4th annual Playing It Forward Ping Pong Ball: Paddle Up! on October 27 at the Hard Rock Hotel. The event
raised more than $315,000 with proceeds supporting transportation costs for NICU Families. The Foundation and Becker Ventures, in partnership with Hard Rock Chicago and Killerspin Table Tennis, hosted the event, a fun and interactive ping pong
party benefiting families with critically ill babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The sold-out party featured culinary treats and cocktails provided by Chuck's: A Kerry Simon Kitchen and Mr. Brown's Lounge. The VIP portion of the event was hosted by
Kye Martin of NBC Chicago, also a NICU mom. Killerspin Table Tennis hosted a VIP clinic for players and silver medal Olympian and Killerspin sponsored athlete, Ilija Luplesku (Lupe), gave a great tutorial for
ping pong enthusiasts. NICU alum Nandan Naresh, the country’s top Ping Pong player under 10 years of age, also played VIP guests, including Dr. Aaron Hamvas (Head of the NICU at Lurie Children’s and Northwestern Prentice). This year’s tournament winner was reigning
champ Jim Escobar of Chicago. The Ball included four hours of table tennis fun, a lively party with memorable food and drinks, a step-and- repeat, beer pong, online auction and raffles, and the first annual Owl Give Award celebrating extraordinary
NICU Nurses. The inaugural recipient, Beckie Tweedle, received a 4-night all-expense paid trip to the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in Mexico.
(Beckie works as a NICU nurse at Northwestern Prentice Women’s Hospital). All proceeds benefited Jackson Chance Foundation's NICU Transportation Program at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and soon-to-be Northwestern Prentice Women’s Hospital
program.
Jupiter Medical Center Foundation hosted ‘An Evening Honoring Joe Namath,’ at the Plaza Hotel in NYC October 20. The evening honored the contributions of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath in the search for a treatment for traumatic brain
injury (TBI) and raised a total of $1.1 million for an ongoing clinical trial at the Joe Namath Neurological Research Center. The dinner event, emceed by sportscaster and former NY Jets defensive back John Dockery, treated close to 500 guests to an evening inspired by fall foliage and football, beautifully designed by Dorothy Draper and
Company. The event was co-chaired by Joe Cabrera (Vice Chair of the Eastern Region of Colliers Intl.), Charlie Modica (founder/chancellor of St. George’s University) and John Wren (president/CEO of Omnicom) and included remarks from Lt. General Robert Chelberg (president of
Wounded Warriors of South Florida). Other highlights of the evening included a video of grateful HBOT patients, featuring Namath, discussing the life-altering treatment that they received at the Center. Guests bid on exclusive live auction items that included a walk-on role
in an episode of Showtime’s “Ray Donovan," a one week stay at the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach including a lunch with Namath, a trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame with a tour and dinner with President David Baker and other high value items. The auction proceeds, over $1.1 million, supported the Joe Namath
Neurological Research Center.
The Union League Boys & Girls Clubs raised over $400,000 at its 39th annual black-tie gala, Imagine The Possibilities, held on November 5 at the Union League Club of Chicago. The event highlighted the organization’s commitment to providing after-school programming to the 13,000 at-risk youth it serves in
the Pilsen, Humboldt Park, Near West Side, Bucktown, Englewood and South Lawndale communities. During the Gala, the ULBGC revealed plans to expand after-school
programming to serve more youth and teens in the Englewood neighborhood. The organization also plans to open after-school programming to additional grades at the Stagg Elementary school as well as establish three new school-based ULBGC in the Englewood community over the next 12 months. “The
money raised will go a long way to bringing more of our programs, focused on encouraging academic success, healthy lifestyles, good character and citizenship, to more youth and teens in one of Chicago’s most underserved neighborhoods,” said Nancy Ross, ULBGC board
president. ULBGC alumnus and current Union League Barreto Boys & Girls Club director, Jeremy Murphy, shared his personal journey of growing up in Humboldt Park and how the Clubs enabled him to imagine positive possibilities. Murphy described how he was provided with caring
guidance, mentorship, educational support, recreational activities, healthy food and most of all a safe place to grow up and plan his future. Gala co-chairs Lynne Rinkoski and Timo Rehbock led a team
of volunteers to create a memorable evening for more than 300 guests. Proceeds from the Gala will support the eight club sites in Chicago and the Wisconsin summer residential camp. Last year the Union League Boys & Girls Clubs hosted an average 1,400 youth each weekday and served more than 143,000 after-school meals.
Over 450 people attended the Candlelight Ball at the Palmer House on November 5 to support Heartland Alliance. President of Heartland Alliance, Evelyn Diaz and Rhymefest rallied attendees to unite in the 128-year-old organization's mission to provide safety, justice and healing to all. More than $375,000 was raised at the Ball to support the on-going work of Heartland Alliance, one of the world's leading anti-poverty organizations -
serving the disenfranchised - including the homeless, immigrants and refugees, those with HIV, survivors of torture and violence, and people living in extreme poverty. The event was organized by the Women's Board of Heartland Alliance, one of the oldest auxiliary boards in Chicago. Major event sponsors included Assurance, Exelon, BMO Harris Bank, US Bank, AT&T, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Boeing, Comcast-NBC Universal, MB Financial, Humana, MB Real Estate and Kristen and
William Woolfolk.
The Auditorium Theatre held its annual Fall Gala honoring Edward S. Weil, Jr. with the presentation of the inaugural Adler and
Sullivan Award on Nov. 6. More than 300 guests watched the Sunday matinee performance of Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba before attending a cocktail
reception and dinner at the Standard Club. Weil, the Auditorium Theatre’s longest-serving board member and the great-grandson of Auditorium Theatre architect Dankmar Adler, was presented with a custom-made award
created by Matthew McNicholas of MGLM Architects. The award features a casting of a piece of the theatre’s historic railing. Roosevelt University’s Latin Jazz Ensemble Puentes provided music for the gala, including a rousing rendition of “Go Cubs Go,” in
recognition of Weil’s favorite baseball team as he accepted the award. “The Auditorium Theatre’s Annual Fall Gala was an overwhelming success,” said Charlie Gardner,
Chairman of the Auditorium Theatre’s Board of Directors. “We raised more than $400,000 that will go towards supporting the historic theatre that Ed cares for so greatly. Thanks so
much to Ed and his wife, Dia, for accepting the inaugural Adler and Sullivan Award." Alderman Edward M. Burke of the 14th Ward presented Weil with a proclamation signed by Mayor Emanuel that
declared November 6, 2016 “Edward S. Weil, Jr. Day,” throughout the city of Chicago. Maria Bechily and Scott Hodes,
Sondra Berman Epstein, Patti Eylar and Charlie Gardner, Anne L. Kaplan and Ann and Tom Nash co-chaired the event. The gala was sponsored by the Pasquinelli Family Foundation and the presentation of Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba was sponsored by Denise Littlefield Sobel.
The Hippocratic Cancer Research Foundation welcomed over 675 attendees to its inaugural gala, The Wings to Cure, at the Hilton Chicago on November 5. Established in November 2015, the mission of the Hippocratic Cancer Research Foundation (HCRF) is to discover, develop and implement effective new treatments for patients with cancer by supporting groundbreaking
research. Eleni Bousis, chair of HCRF’s founding board, welcomed guests and shared the personal experience that fueled her desire to “give researchers the ‘Wings to Cure.’” “When this devastating disease invaded my family, I saw first-hand what leading-edge research can do to change lives. Together, we can make these breakthroughs possible for more of our loved ones,” Bousis said. “HCRF’s vision, drive and
determination to support cancer research are creating important opportunities to translate scientific discoveries into leading-edge treatments for our patients,”
said Dr. Leonidas Platanias, , Director of the Lurie Cancer Center and of HCRF’s Scientific Advisory Board. “Cancer can be defeated if physicians, researchers and philanthropists work as a team,” he added. Anna Davlantes, Lou Canellis and Susanna Homan served as emcees.
StyleChicago.com presented its 10th season of The Art of Fashion 2016 (runway show) & FashionChicago (shopping party) on October 21. The exciting runway presentation featured collections by 11 of our favorite Chicago
designers and included Elda de la Rosa, Peach Carr, ALYCE Paris, J. Toor, Lauren Lein, Lenadro Mulet, Mark Roscoe, Heidi Hess,
Gidi and Shernett Swaby. Guests also enjoyed FashionChicago pop-up shopping with 25 of Chicago's top clothing and accessories designers. Congrats to all our amazing talent!
Chicago Children’s Museum (CCM) held its annual fundraising gala, Illuminate, in the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier on November 5. The event welcomed 400 guests and
raised $750,000 to support CCM’s exhibits, educational programming and extensive community access efforts. “We’re so grateful for the generosity of our supporters this year,” said CCM President and CEO Jennifer Farrington. “To see so many people come out and support the
importance of play in our community was truly humbling.” The evening’s theme, Illuminate, highlighted the museum’s commitment to celebrating the power of discovery, the joy of “figuring it out” and the boundless capacity of Chicago’s children. "We are overjoyed by the support," said CCM board chair Jeffery Perry. "The funds we raise help the museum serve as a vital, play-based, educational and
cultural institution for children and families in Chicago and beyond." The highlight of the evening was the live auction conducted by auctioneer David Goodman that brought in an impressive $17,000 bid for the Chart Your Course package that included a luxury Bahamian getaway on a private yacht (it sold 3 times!) Gala Co-Chairs were Carly I. Warren and Thad Wong. Next year’s event is set for November 4, 2017, so mark your
calendars!
Congrats to Gibson's Restaurant Group's Peg and Steve Lombardo for being honored with the Sister Rosemary Connelly Service Medallion Award on November 12 at the Misericordia Heart of Mercy Ball. Other honorees included Cheri and James Rafferty and AT & T (corporate award was accepted by Rick Erickson). The evening at the Hilton Chicago was a sell out with over 800 attendees. Congrats to all! (To read more and see video, click here!)
As our citizen soldiers continue to find themselves in harm’s way around the world in places like Mosul and Kabul, it’s always a pleasure for me to report on the swelling of pride one feels when attending the annual
Liberty Gala benefiting Chicago’s Pritzker Military Museum & Library, held this year at the Hilton Chicago on November 5. Former Senator, Cabinet Secretary and American Red Cross President Elizabeth Dole served as this year’s Chairman. She called upon the Army ROTC Color Guard from the Loyola
University Illinois to present the colors followed by a stirring rendition of the national anthem by Danlie Cuenca from Naval Station Great Lakes. Senator Dole then recognized high ranking military guests in the crowd of 500 people that filled the ballroom for the evening, followed by active military guests in
the audience, thanks to the generosity of Northern Trust, Pritzker Military Museum and Library Founder Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (RETIRED) and Audrey and Albert Ratner. Next up was longtime champion of military families and
four-time emcee of the event, ABC7 News’ Stacey Baca. Thanking Senator Dole for her service to the country, Baca told the audience, “you may not know this, but Senator Dole, in her capacity as the first woman to lead the Department of
Transportation, was also the first woman to head a branch of the United States military—overseeing the Coast Guard during her tenure as Department Secretary.” She also thanked the Senator for
all she does for veterans and their families through the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. Baca then introduced the Pritzker Military Museum & Library’s president and CEO, Kenneth Clarke, who told the audience about a new project that illustrates the organization’s
commitment to the citizen soldier. A new book, The General: William Levine, Citizen Soldier and Liberator by best-selling author Alex Kershaw and Newsweek reporter Richard Ernsberger,
brings together information from the esteemed officer’s archives (housed at the PMML) his oral history housed at the U.S. Holocaust Museum and interviews with family and colleagues. It paints a moving portrait of a family man, a business man, a man of faith and a military man who loved his country. Along with General Levine’s archives, the PMML is
now also host to the original cartoons of Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist William Henry “Bill” Mauldin. In a moving demonstration of what the Museum & Library is all about, Clarke then pinned a distinguished
service medal on JROTC student cadet Adrian Guachichullca, who is currently serving as the battalion commander for the Lincoln Park High School Lion Battalion. “He represents the best of our partnership with
Chicago’s Public High Schools JROTC program,” Clarke said. Next to arrive on the stage was Col. Pritzker, who each year presents a founder’s award to an individual or organization to recognize significant
contributions to the Museum and Library’s mission of preserving and sharing the stories of citizen soldiers. This year’s award was presented to an individual who holds a commanding position within the field of military history, Alistair Horne. “We honor him for his immense contribution to further the public’s understanding of the citizen soldier and the military’s
role in a democracy through a lifetime of writings about military history and affairs,” Pritzker said. Accepting the award on Horne’s behalf was former winner of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library’s Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in
Military Writing, Antony Beevor. Baca was then re-joined by the evening’s Chair, Senator Dole. After recounting a moving story about visiting the site where her husband, Senator Bob Dole, was wounded and how the Museum & Library provided her with detailed background on the story, she then thanked her fellow host committee members, Charlie and Debby Dobrusin, Tyrone and Anne Fahner, Colette Holt, Scott Murray, Mary Parthe,
Mayari Pritzker, Audrey and Albert Ratner, John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe, Robert E. Sarazen, John and Beverly Schwan, Capt. Dave Truitt and Clarke and his staff at the Museum and
Library. Each year, the organization presents the Pritzker Military Museum & Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing. Sponsored by the Tawani Foundation, the award recognizes a living author’s body of work that
enriches our understanding of military history. Joining Baca on stage were past recipients Col. Allan Millett, Gerhard Weinberg, Tim O’Brien, Antony Beevor and David Hackett Fischer. Col. Pritzker then presented the 2016 award to Hew
Strachan. "Historian, military affairs specialist and St. Andrews University Professor, Strachan is a renowned educator, author and public servant who understands the power of history," she said. In another poignant moment,
the crowd was held in rapt attention by a contributor to the Museum & Library’s Holt Oral History Program. Colonel Eugene Scott, US Army (Retired), served two tours of duty in Vietnam, and completed his 28-year military service career as a Post Commander. The event raised over $740,00 for the Museum & Library’s programs.
Joe’s on Weed St. will host the annual Kandy Kane Ball on Saturday, December 17, from 9:00 pm to midnight. The event is in its 14th year and continues to have a strong presence as Chicago’s largest private toy drive. It is a night of music, food and drinks for a great cause!
Entertainment will be provided by local cover band Sorry for Partying and a favorite Chicago DJ, DJ Gusto. Tickets include passed appetizers and three hours of premium open bar. Joe’s will be transformed into Arendelle, the setting of favorite holiday movie
Frozen, with appearances by the likes of Olaf and Elsa. Tickets are on sale now here for $50 and the price will increase on December 5. All guests are required to bring a toy for entry or can donate $20 upon arrival in lieu of bringing a toy.
The 2017 International Red Cross Diamond
Centennial Ball: Vienna to Versailles will be held in Palm Beach on Saturday, February 4, at The Mar-a-Lago Beach Club. This formal diamond anniversary evening, chaired by Mrs. Janet Cafaro, will feature dinner, dancing and fireworks and celebrate the Red Cross' 100 years of service in South Florida. For tickets and more info, click here. Last year's event was themed M+A+S+H after the popular television series about doctors and nurses at a battlefield hospital and included the series' star Loretta Swit as an honored guest.
The Service Club of Chicago will host its annual Holiday Luncheon at The University Club of Chicago on Thursday, December 8. Co-chaired by Diane Freeman, Millicent Holmes and Genine Shafer, the afternoon will feature the Chicago Children's Advocacy Center as its charity partner. Guests are encouraged to bring a wrapped gift for donation. Entertainment will be provided by the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus. For tickets
and more info, click here.
The Chinese American Service League (CASL) will honor two outstanding leaders for their 40 years of service, beloved co-founder Bernie Wong and Esther Wong, at the Bridgeport Art Center on Friday, December 2. The evening will include cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and DJ Orion Roswell's hot mixes. There will also be a delightful surprise. For tickets and more info, click here!
Thank you so much to Joycelyn Winnecke for organizing the fabulous Together for History party at Ace Bounce on November 8. I loved seeing so many philanthropic women come together for charity! (The event benefited 4 non-profits dedicated to uplifting and supporting women). Mary Ann Childers and Jay Levin were co-emcees.
Celebrity Bounty at Aces UP! returns on Thursday, December 1 to benefit Urban Prep Academies at The Chicago Sports Museum (7th floor of Water Tower Place) from 5 to 11 pm. UPA founder Tim King and his friends Alexi Giannoulias, Richard Roeper and Chris Zorich will all be on hand to support Urban Prep Academies, a non-profit that operates the country's first network of charter public high schools for boys. For tickets and more info, click here!
The Women’s Board of Lincoln Park Zoo gathered over 160 guests for an intimate affair at ZooLA 2016, a philanthropic live auction on November 3. The annual event raised more
than $200,000 and took place at a private club adorned with swan motifs that mirror the gift of two swans that inspired the formation of Lincoln Park Zoo. Hosted by the event’s co-chairs Bridget Campbell and Beth Kies, the elegant evening began with a
cocktail hour and pre-auction raffle. Following the reception, attendees raised paddles at the live auction to support the city’s beloved landmark. Notable attendees included John D. Fornengo (auctioneer for the evening); Caroline
Huebner (Women’s Board of Lincoln Park Zoo President); Kevin Bell (Lincoln Park Zoo Pres/CEO); Dana and Ricky Abt and Abby and Don Funk. Auction packages included a private in-home dinner with Chef Federico Commacchio (Coco Pazzo); VIP tickets to “The
Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and ”The Late Late Show with James Corden;” a premium package to “Hamilton” and a ceremonial first pitch at Wrigley Field. Campbell shared, “It’s a privilege to be part
of a special event that ensures everyone can freely enjoy the private institution that is Lincoln Park Zoo.” Proceeds from ZooLA 2016 will support the Women’s Board’s leadership
pledge to Lincoln Park Zoo’s worldwide efforts in conservation, education and animal care through new state-of-the-art facilities and programs, as well as its already invaluable presence in Chicago. The current The Pride of Chicago campaign includes Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove, Walter Family Arctic Tundra, Learning Center and Kovler Lion House, to name a
few. Each of these projects will lead to an updated and invigorated Lincoln Park Zoo.
The month of October has become synonymous with the pink ribbon and National Breast Cancer Awareness and Chicago’s who’s who
came together for the inaugural Susan G. Komen Chicagoland’s “Ignite the Night” Gala to honor individuals, including Congresswomen Robin Kelly and the University of Chicago’s Funmi I. Olopade, M.D., who have
engaged the Chicagoland community in increasing breast cancer awareness and leading the fight to ensure quality healthcare for all. VIP attendees included host NBC
5’s Zoraida Sambolin, Chicago White Sox Executive VP Kenny Williams, EMPIRE actress Ta’Rhonda Jones, Congresswoman Robin Kelly (2nd District of
IL), and former Chicago Bears tackle and part of the 1985 Super Bowl team, Keith Van Horne. They were among 400 guests at the gala including top business and community leaders, supporters, survivors,
corporate donors and more, held at the Wintrust Bank building in the South Loop. Exceeding initial goals, more than $360,000 was raised throughout the course of the evening through a combination of live and silent auctions, and a Fund-the-Need campaign led by Dr. Sheri Prentiss, the national spokesperson for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day. During the program, Sambolin and Jones shared personal stories about close family and friends affected by breast cancer and how the organization has played an important part in their lives. Three local breast cancer survivors
received makeovers prior to the Gala, including special gala attire thanks to Fashion Bar.
The Arts Club of Chicago celebrated its 100th Anniversary Gala in the Modern Wing at The Art Institute on October 21. Approximately 250 people celebrated a century, and raised money
for its public programs and for a 100th Anniversary book. During the two day celebration, the party continued the following day at the Club, when it opened its doors to
the public for an Open House that featured a full afternoon of music, discussions, and presentations by artists from Chicago and around the world. Among the highlights was the world premiere performance of a commissioned work from Pulitzer Prize winner and Oscar-nominated David Lang and the Grammy-award winning ensemble Eighth Blackbird.
The piece, “Composition as Explanation,” is based on Gertrude Stein’s 1925 text, which explores the notion of the artist’s talk in tribute to The Arts Club’s legacy of cultural conversations. Oct. 22 was also designated by the Mayor and City Council as “The Arts Club of Chicago Day.”
Happy birthday!!
Thanks so much to ChicagonistaLIVE!'s hosts MJ Tam,
Beth Rosen and Nancy Loo for including me in its Women Driving Excellence Fall Lecture Series. I was honored to share the stage with the one and only Janet Davies. We shared our stories and offered tips for staying a step ahead in your careers and for reinventing yourselves. Other speakers included Debi Lilly, Zondra
Hughes, Anupy Singla and Loo.
It was a big weekend for the Magnificent Mile Association, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Lights Festival, founded by
Eli's Cheesecake's Marc Schulman, and sponsored by BMO Harris. Festivities began Thursday morning with the press kickoff with Minnie and Mickey followed
by a slew of activities at Lights Festival Lane at Pioneer Court, then the parade itself. The after-party featured many of the celebs from the floats who also performed at the party, dubbed Lightsapalooza, at the Raddison Aqua Hotel! Congrats to all!! Ho! Ho! Ho!
I always feel so let down after Thanksgiving and Christmas too. I guess I just miss the wonderful feelings of goodwill that always accompany special holidays. I hope your spirit lasts the whole year through and that you had a wonderful day filled with love, happy memories and, of course, delicious food. I know we all have much to be grateful for, for one thing, the fact that we're all above ground is a good place to start. (Read my thoughts on post holiday blues here!)
Love, as always,
Candace
[email protected]
P.S. And, of course, something to make you smile!
