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Candid Candace: Travel

Travel

EXCITING ECHOES OF SUMMER, WHISPERS OF FALL

I hope you've missed me? I know I've missed you! Who knew these passing seasons would explode with so many things to do and events to cover?! I'm gonna catch you up here now. In the meantime, I hope you've enjoyed the magic of summer like we have. My friend Bonnie Spurlock shared a beautiful water-color by artist Glenn Galan titled "Fireflies on a Summer Night" that perfectly captures the nostalgia of summers' past. (Glenn's website is a treasure trove of images like this that I highly recommend you check out.)

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I'm amazed at how much the latest events and fundraisers have stepped up their decor, planning and fundraising efforts. I'm referring to The Joffrey Ballet's "Midsummer Celebration"; MCA's ArtEdge party; Steppenwolf's starry night; the Hippocratic Cancer Research Foundation fashion show and so much more. If you weren't able to attend, not to worry, I will tell you what you missed! That's what I'm here for. :-) ______________________________________________________________________

Robert Block  Renata Block  Paula Fasseas  Bonnie Spurlock  Jim Spurlock
Robert Block, Renata Block, Paula Fasseas, Bonnie and Jim Spurlock.

The PAWS Chicago Beach Party, one of the summer's most anticipated pet-friendly events, returned to Offshore at Navy Pier with a burst of tropical flair. Pups

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With Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Leslie Hindman.

in vibrant Hawaiian shirts and leis matched their owners' festive attire, turning the "world's largest rooftop bar" into a lively lakefront luau. Under a Windex-blue sky and with a gentle summer breeze, the event provided the perfect backdrop to raise funds for

David Crown
Lisa Dent, Bonnie Spurlock, Drew Fasseas, Alexis Fasseas and Bruce Crown.

PAWS' no-kill program for homeless animals. The event welcomed nearly 400 human supporters, many with their four-legged companions in tow. Festivities began with a cocktail reception where partygoers enjoyed views of the Chicago skyline as well as packed silent auction tables. Country radio Hall of Famer

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Sylvia Perez and Susanna Wickham, CEO PAWS Chicago.

Lisa Dent of WGN Radio and entertainment reporter Jake Hamilton of Fox 32 Chicago co-emceed the event, introducing PAWS Chicago co-founder Paula Fasseas and CEO Susanna Wickham. Fasseas

Phillip Emigh
Phillip Emigh, KT Sandberg, Bruce Haas and friends.

expressed heartfelt gratitude to supporters and
introduced Jasper, a PAWS pup who triumphed over parvovirus thanks to the organization's dedicated care. She also highlighted PAWS' commitment to rescuing parvovirus-infected puppies and finding them loving homes. “Every day, PAWS Chicago continues high-volume animal transfers out of Chicago Animal Care & Control, rescuing nearly 40% of the cats and dogs that are transferred out,” Fasseas

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Inaugural Community Engagement Award winners - with Bill Jacobs.

shared. “We also launched 360@CACC, a program that has our staff onsite at the city shelter seven days a week.”

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Glam Beach Party guests.

The inaugural Community Engagement Award was presented to Bill Jacobs, founder of Piece Pizzeria & Brewery in Wicker Park, and this author, recognizing their contributions to the cause. “Homeless and at-risk pets are a societal issue,” Jacobs said. “It is our obligation to care for these beautiful animals and give them a chance.” Chuck and I, along with our Chihuahua Daisy, attended the first PAWS Fur Ball at Escada in 2002 and have been fans, friends and supporters ever since. The evening's highlights

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Tom McGuire and Tom Hackett with Leslie Hindman.

included an adoptable dogs' showcase and a lively auction

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Glam Beach Party guests.

and paddle raise led by auctioneer David Goodman. Guests and their pets indulged in lavish dinner buffets, while furry friends enjoyed pampering at the dog spa, complete with relaxing massages. Notable attendees included Paul Iacono, Todd Hatoff, Leslie Hindman, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, Suzie and Ross Glickman, Melissa and Michael Canning, Judy and Howard Tullman, Barbara Rinella, Wayne Gailis, Renata and Robert Block, Sylvia Perez

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Judy Tullman, Wayne Gailis, Howard Tullman and friend.

and daughter Magali Blasdell, Bonnie and Jim Spurlock, Nancy and Michael Timmers, Alexis Fasseas, Suzanne

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Who's a good boy?

LeMignot, Tom Hacket and Tom McGuire, Bruce Crown, Drew Fasseas, Jim Sharp, Phillip Emigh, Bruce Haas, KT Sandburg, and many more. Sponsors such as Ed and Denise Raddatz, Pam Zunker-Myerson and Robert Zunker, and the Spurlocks and Tullmans ensured the event's success. Since its founding in 1997, PAWS Chicago has dramatically reduced homeless pet euthanasia in the city by 90.2 percent, finding homes for over 84,000 pets and providing more than 16,000 low- or no-cost spay/neuter surgeries each year. The organization's tireless efforts continue to make a significant impact on the lives of pets and their families in Chicago. (Photos by PAWS, Bonnie Spurlock and me) ______________________________________________________________________

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HCRF founder Eleni Bousis (center) with Charlene and Scott Seaman.

Rain sure didn’t dampen the spirits of guests who attended the 10th anniversary of the Hippocratic Cancer Research Foundation and its fashionable fundraiser held appropriately in Maggie Daley Park Cancer Survivor’s

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Chuck Jordan and Michael Norris.


Garden. The beautiful venue reflected the inspiration and mission behind the event, to find a cure for cancer. The sold-out fundraiser was co-chaired by Pam Capitanini, Janell Adames and Jacquelyn McMahon Petrovich and co-emceed by Kelley Flanagan (“The Bachelor”) and moi. It supported the important work of Dr. Leonidas Platanias and

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Dr. Leonidas Platanias and family/friends.

his team at Lurie Cancer Center of Northwestern University who are working on out-of-the-box research to find a cure. “Science is advancing fast, and it is only a matter of time before new cures for various types of cancers emerge. The challenge lies in accelerating the process because with every passing minute, lives are at

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Dr. Leonidas Platanias enjoying the ZZAZZ fashion show.

stake, “ he said. A reception featured cocktails and hors d’oeuvres among the flowers, with a display of jewelry by Sofoklis Jewels of Greece, custom-made especially for the foundation. Guests were dressed in their finest with a focus on florals. As they entered the venue, they were greeted by a performer dressed as angel with

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Co-emcee Kelley Flanagan (R) with mom and friend.

an array of pricey cars from Perillo set up on Randolph St. Electric violinists provided the background music.The night turned cool following a week of heat, but despite the respite, rain fell briefly before the fashion show began. Guests took it in stride as HCRF staff provided welcome umbrellas. Dinner, provided by Rosebud, was served family-style and included rigatoni alla vodka, salmon

Tina Hock
Two angels- Tina Hock.


limone, chicken Vesuvio, Greek salad and fanciful desserts. The rain stopped in time for a chic fashion show, produced by ZZAZZ Productions (Tracey Tarantino DiBuono with support

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Kristine Farra, her beautiful daughter and cute friend.

from Nancy Long, Natalie Roppo and DJ Akib) with beautiful looks from Peach Carr Designs, Elda de la Rosa, Rede Mas, Anne Fontaine, Contessa Bottega, Menotti Couture, Sylwia Designs, Mira Couture and Lepa Boutique.  Eleni Bousis, founder/ event chair, shared, “We are here to support Dr. Platanias and his team at Lurie Cancer Center of Northwestern University who are at the forefront of

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HCRF founder Eleni Bousis and Greek Dignitary.

groundbreaking research, including enhancing tumor-killing capabilities and cancer-curing potential; advancing basic IMG_3795research in immunology and immunotherapy for treating malignant melanoma; targeting cell signaling pathways in leukemia and solid cancers; developing novel approaches to tackle aggressive cancers such as pancreatic and brain cancer and building the field of immuno-metabolism in cancer research.” A surprise check for $250,000 was donated to Dr. Platanias by the Thorek Memorial Foundation to support his research. The Lurie Cancer Center, led by Dr. Platanias, is a national leader in the advancement of cancer treatments and was named one of the top 10 leading academic comprehensive cancer centers in the country by US News and World Report. (hcrfwingstocure.org)

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Fashion show produced by ZZAZZ.

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Bill Wolf  Meredith Bluhm-Wolf (co-chair)  Robin Loewenberg Tebbe (co-chair) and Mark Tebbe.  (Photo by Jeremy Lawson)
Bill Wolf, Meredith Bluhm-Wolf (co-chair), Robin Loewenberg Tebbe (co-chair) and Mark Tebbe. (Photo by Jeremy Lawson)

The Museum of Contemporary Art is known for it’s cutting-edge, over the top ArtEdge events, but I must say, this year they outdid themselves. It was a breathtaking and sexy 90-minute show that included burlesque, drag

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Marko Iglendza, Robin Tebbe and Neal Zucker.

stars, striptease, pole-dancing and so much more. Held at the museum, over 400 guests turned out to help raise $1.7 million for programming and exhibitions. The party began in the lobby where a buffet offered a mile-long stretch of treats that included sushi, hamburgers, pasta, hors d’oeuvres, everything you can imagine- all served under a canopy of trees bedecked in twinkling lights. Kudos to co-chairs Robin Loewenberg Tebbe and Meredith-Bluhm Wolf and board chair Cari Sacks for “bringin’ it” – the crowd was enthralled and not a soul left the tent during the performance that included artists from Tease Productions and Sasha Colby, RuPaul Drag Race 2023 winner. Oh, what a night! (Read full story and see more fun pics, here in Crain's.)

Aryn Shelander of Tease Productions. (Photo by Jeremy Lawson)
Aryn Shelander of Tease Productions. (Photo by Jeremy Lawson)

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Brian Smith  Brant Taylor  Roderick Branch and Geyer Morford. (Photo by Candace Jordan)
Brian Smith, Brant Taylor, Roderick Branch and Geyer Morford.

The Joffrey Ballet’sMidsummer Celebration” literally left Chuck and I speechless. I think this was one of the best events we’ve been to in ages. I love not having to sit
at a table for dinner—the new trend of buffets and

Joffrey Ballet dancer Derek Drilon. (Photo by Candace Jordan)
Joffrey Ballet dancer Derek Drilon, styled by Galan Styling (David Murga).

roaming servers is fabulous, and the Joffrey did it in grand style! The floral décor by HMR Designs was in and of itself breathtaking. An area for photo opps was completely filled with a variety of flowers and an old-fashioned swing like the kind you would find on an oak tree in the backyard. Guests came dressed according to the theme with our friend Brian Smith (Joffrey Chief Marketing Officer) winning top outfit for his stunning flower hat that would’ve made Anne Boleyn jealous. Other guests wore little fairy wings and Derek Drilon, a Joffrey dancer, was expertly styled by Galan Styling (David Murga) with a huge peach flower perched on the side of his head over a black and white brocade jacket. FABULOUS! (Read full story and see more photos, here in Crain's)

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The Joffrey Ballet's Midsummer Night's Dream Celebration, a night of pure magic!

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Cake
With Elaine Hyde, Maureen Schulman and Amanda Puck.

Chicago Star Media celebrated its 4th anniversary in grand style on the rooftop at Mariano’s Lakeshore East . On a perfect summer night, nearly 60 guests, that

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Curt Rose, Maggie Baczowski and Michael Kutza.

included supporters, advertisers, board members and contributors, mixed and mingled while enjoying a party that featured topline vendors from this iconic marketplace. Presented by Mariano’s Lakeshore East and organized by Amanda Puck, Mariano’s Director of Strategic Brand Development, the event

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Music of the Baroque ED Declan McGovern and Cook County Treasure Maria Pappas.

bfeatured treats from the Salsa King of Chicago (Marty Garcia); ICHOR water (John Powers and Mike Dagnino); Oki Sushi; Murray’s Cheese; Pop Karma popcorn (Jean Tsai); Big

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Jon and Andrew Landan with Elaine Hyde.

Shoulders Coffee (Dave Marsalek and Chef Jaymes Berry); San Pellegrino presented its new San Pellegrino Zero Sugar (Matt Pozo and Milky); Quari Ice and more. Other important contributors to the event were Chris Weir (Store Director), Michal Gawkowski (Assistant Store Manager) and J & L Catering. Elaine Hyde, Publisher/Editor, welcomed guests and shared the history behind the brand that had its beginnings in the Lakeshore East area. Ashlea Hearn, Marketing Account

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With Amanda Puck, Sugar & Spice (Almira Martin and Giovanna Krozel) with Chuck Jordan.

Manager, spoke about the new marketing opportunities available (see them here) and the many awards the brand has won recently. As associate publisher, I proudly

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Jennifer Nieves and John Robak.

 acknowledged key supporters and advertisers in the crowd and shared recent stats- in the last four years, the website has received over 1 million visitors and the team has written over 3,000 articles, covering everything from local news to cultural events. Former CSM writer Elena Smentkowski also addressed the crowd while other contributors, Susan Berkes, Margaret Laing and Michaela Wilson, were recognized as well.  Partygoers posed with fanciful props created and donated by Kehoe Designs (Tom Kehoe and team) and left with goody bags

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Tracey Mayer and friend.

containing branded baseball caps, notepads, marketing

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Nick Harkin

materials
and “I Am A Chicago Star” pins. Longtime supporter and board member Maureen Schulman provided a beautiful Eli’s Cheesecake for the occasion branded with the Chicago Star logo. DJ World kept partygoers dancing to hot beats until the event concluded. Over the past four years, the company and website have grown tremendously, becoming a pivotal source of news and entertainment for Chicago, and always staying true to its mission of serving up positive news that readers can use. Recently the media company has expanded to include marketing, PR and much more. (Photos by Kelsy Goodwin and moi.)

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Torchio Pasta Bar, 738 N. Wells St.

The Torchio Pasta Bar, nestled in a 19th century building at 738 N. Wells St., has been a beloved culinary gem for years, and its allure only continues to grow. As a recent

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Eric, the charming Torchio bartender.

convert, I'm finally experiencing the buzz firsthand, spurred on by friends who couldn't stop raving. “You have to meet the owner Bill, he’s a real charmer,” they’d say, or “Sit at the bar and have Eric the bartender wait on you, he’s fabulous.” The clincher for me was the whisper, “It’s super hard to get a reservation.” Challenge accepted. There's something

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The popular fried artichoke hearts.

undeniably enticing about an exclusive spot and, let's face it, I'm a magnet for a club that won't let me in. The reservation rules are strict: a group of four can linger for two hours, while a duo gets an hour and a half. Plus, it costs $40 upfront to secure a booking. But the effort is worth it. Torchio Pasta Bar's history is as rich as its flavors. The story began with a family tradition: Bill Varley, the chef and owner, would

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Housemade meatballs.

make fresh pasta with his niece Maggie every Christmas Eve at his Long Island home and loved the process. After Bill and his wife Janice fell in love with Chicago during business trips, they knew this vibrant city would become their home and eventually their vision of a restaurant would be born there as well. Their search for the perfect location came true and led them to a vacant storefront in a building from the

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Torchio's cozy bar.

early 1900s. It was love at first sight. Bill and Janice meticulously designed the space, revealing century-old brickwork and creating a chic copper bar and cozy dining area filled with period details. Picture yourself enjoying homemade pasta with a crisp Pinot Grigio on a snowy day inside or basking in the summer sun on their charming patio. An antique hand-crank pasta press, or torchio,

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Pappardelle in a crispy parmesan basket.

hangs above the bar, a nod to tradition. Now, let's dive into the cuisine. Beyond the welcoming ambiance and warm

hospitality, Torchio offers a
truly authentic Italian dining experience. All the pasta, except for the gluten-free options (which are 5imported from Italy), is made in-house. Many menu items are cherished family recipes, like the beloved Giovanni’s Bolognese. This dish features handmade tagliatelle lightly bathed in Bolognese sauce, all nestled in a Parmesan basket. It's divine. Another standout is the Fresh Vegetable Pappardelle, a delightful medley of pappardelle, asparagus, peas, zucchini, and yellow squash in a lemon butter sauce, topped with Pecorino Romano. For appetizers, the meatball dish (beef and veal in house-made tomato sauce) and the fried artichoke hearts are must-tries. End your meal on a sweet note with Jolene’s Ligurian Olive Oil Cake or the Tiramisu. Hats off to Torchio Pasta Bar—securing that reservation was well worth it. We'll definitely be back!

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Gala co-chair Terri Engelman Rhoads  Honorary Gala Chairman Anida Johnson “Cookie” Cohen  and Gala co-chair Shauna Montgomery.
Gala co-chair Terri Engelman Rhoads, Honorary Gala Chairman Anida Johnson “Cookie” Cohen, and Gala co-chair Shauna Montgomery.

The Chicago Lighthouse hosted it’s annual “Seeing What’s Possible” gala at the Four Seasons with over 300 guests in attendance. The event was co-chaired by Terri
Engelman Rhoads
and Shauna Montgomery with honorary

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Cheryl Coleman and Paula Borg.

gala chair Cookie Cohen. The event was a record-breaker raising over $700,000 for the nonprofit’s life-changing services and programs. Partygoers enjoyed a cocktail reception and a silent auction before moving into the ballroom for dinner where the Becca Kaufman Orchestra played before and after dinner. Vincent and Particia Foglia were honored as “Beacons of Light” for their ongoing support. The Folgia Family Foundation provided financial support for the building of the

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Dr. Jeff and Tina Weller.

Foglia Residences for the Lighthouse. Located at 1134 S. Wood St., the 76-unit development is for residents who are blind, visually impaired, disabled and veterans. The development is the first Low-Income Housing Tax Credit building in the nation for the blind community. “Light of the Night Corporate

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Jim and Mary Lasky.

recognition was awarded to Neal Berz of MIS Computer for his outstanding contributions to The Lighthouse. The evening also included a live auction and raffle. Co-chair Shauna Montgomery ramped up the excitement for the auction urging supporters and friends to bid. Her efforts paid off with a record-breaking event for the Chicago Lighthouse. Congrats to all involved including honorary committee members Julie Barrish, Eleni and Jimmy Bousis, Judge F. Keith Brown, Cheryl Coleman, Shelley and Bill Farley, Audrey Gale, Susan Gohl and Jonathan Grabill, Been and Martin Joseph, Melinda and Lucien Lagrange, Mary and Jim Lasky, Bonnie and Michael Rothman, Dr. Jeff Weller and Tina Weller, Felicia and Kurt Winiecki and others. SAVE-THE-DATE for Friday, Sept. 13, when the fabulous FLAIR "Eye on Style" fashion show/luncheon returns to the Ritz! We will be honoring the one and only Shauna Montgomery! For tickets and all info, click here! (Photos by Mila Samokhina)

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I received some very exciting news from my friend and legendary newspaperman and Chicago radio personality, Rick Kogan! I am now a regular on his popular "After Hours With Rick Kogan" on WGN-Radio 720 AM! Every week or two, I come on to share all the fun news from our fabulous city with the man who IS Mr. Chicago! It's a fun-filled love-fest and I hope you can tune in on Sundays from 5-7 pm. Listen to our latest segment here

Rick Kogan 7-14-24 segment_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Huge congrats to Eli's Cheesecake Company, Maureen and Marc Schulman! Wherever history is being made, you can bet there will be an Eli's Cheesecake to celebrate! They created two 1,000 lb. cheesecakes for The Democratic National Convention welcome party. The cake was decorated with all 50 state placards, and the crowd loved it! In fact, Convention goers consumed over 5,400 lbs. of Eli's Cheesecake, Chicago's favorite dessert, by the time the Convention was over. (One of the main decorators was Ivanna Yatskiv, from the Ukraine, one of 80 refugees working at Eli’s.)

Rich Gamble   Maureen and Marc Schulman  Jaime Harrison and Glenn Eden. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen)
Rich Gamble, Maureen and Marc Schulman, Jaime Harrison and Glenn Eden. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen)

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Co-chairs Tracey DiBuono  Sharyl Mackey and Jean Antoniou with Bobbi Panter (SC president  2nd from L) (Photo by Mila Samokhina)
Co-chairs Tracey DiBuono, Sharyl Mackey and Jean Antoniou with Bobbi Panter (SC president, 2nd from L) (Photo by Mila Samokhina)


The Service Club of Chicago’s annual “Day on the Terrace” fashion show and luncheon, held on August 5 at the Peninsula Chicago, dazzled attendees with its “Denim & Diamonds” theme. This sold-out event, attended by

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Sherry Lea Holson, presenting sponsor. (Photo by Mila Samokhina)

over 300 guests, raised nearly $200,000 to support the club's grant distribution program, benefiting local nonprofits. Co-chaired by Service Club members Jean Antoniou, Sharyl Mackey, and Tracey DiBuono, the event showcased the latest fall fashions from some of Chicago’s top designers and retailers. ZZAZZ Productions

Paul Iacono  Tina Weller and Mark Olley. (Photo by Mila Samokhina)
Paul Iacono, Tina Weller and Mark Olley. (Photo by Mila Samokhina)

put together the runway show, featuring designs by Elda de la Rosa, Lauren Lein, Mira Couture, and SYLWIA. Collections from Max Mara, alice + olivia, Anne Fontaine, NINA in Chicago, Bonobos, Contessa Bottega, Gorski Furs, St. John Boutique, and Peter Millar also made a statement on the catwalk. A highlight of the afternoon was the show-stopping

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Such an honor. Thank you to these fabulous U.S. Marines!

finale presented by Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue. Models, dressed in elegant evening wear, were escorted down the runway by members of the United States Marine Corps, adding a patriotic and dramatic flair to the event. The models were a mix of Service Club members, local media personalities, and

Sherrill Bodine  Bethany Kitick and Lauren Lein. (Photo by Candace Jordan)
Sherrill Bodine, Bethany Kitick and Lauren Lein.

supporters. Notable television figures included Dawn Hasbrouck and Lou Canellis from Fox-32 Chicago, Micah Materre from WGN-TV, Matt Rodrigues and Cortney Hall from NBC-5, Anna Davlantes from WGN Radio, Whitney Reynolds from PBS, and former ABC-7 sports anchor Jim Rose. The event

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Love you MILA!

continued with a chic, sold-out after-party at the Peninsula’s Shanghai Terrace, where 140 guests celebrated to the beats of DJ Akib. In 2023 alone, the Service Club awarded $546,430 in

Paige McGrath  Carli Kelly  Emma Schramko  Gretchen Schramko. (Photo by Mila Samokhina)
Paige McGrath, Carli Kelly, Emma Schramko, Gretchen Schramko. (Photo by Mila Samokhina)

grants, continuing its 134-year legacy of transforming lives and strengthening the Chicago community. Past recipients include Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, which received a mobile sensory center, and SOS Children’s Villages, which was provided with computers for their students. The club has also funded parking vouchers for families in the NICU through the Jackson Chance Foundation, playground pavement replacement for St. Giles School in Oak Park, and a new lighting system for the Red Orchid Theater. And SAVE-THE-DATE for the SC's 134th Gala at the Ritz-Carlton on Sat. Nov. 2. The event will be co-chaired by Alex Meneses and Kelly Uihlein and have a very big surprise celebrity guest! (For more info and tickets for these upcoming events, please visit: theserviceclubofchicago.org)

Sylwia Wilczynska  Becca Maas  Debi Catenacci and Laura Schwartz Stryker with members of the U.S. Marine Corps. (Photo by Mila Samokhina)
Sylwia Wilczynska, Becca Maas, Debi Catenacci and Laura Schwartz Stryker with members of the U.S. Marine Corps. (Photo by Mila Samokhina)

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Andrew Hayes and John Wober  (Photo by Candace Jordan)
Andrew Hayes and John Wober.

No matter what side of the political fence you're on, you can't deny the fact that the city was filled with excitement during the

Andre and Frances Guichard. (Photo by Candace Jordan)
Andre and Frances Guichard.


DNC. Stars were everywhere with parties sprouting up in some of our city''s favorite spots including Gene & Georgetti, Billy Goat Tavern, 360 Chicago, Navy Pier, Tre Dita, Chicago Club, St. Regis, Carnivale, Salt Shed (where John Legend performed) and more. However, I think the event at the Adler Planetarium hosted by World Business Chicago was the most fun. Rapper Common made a surprise appearance and performed for hours for the rapt crowd. He brought up an audience member, Tifair Hamed, to the stage and rapped out an impromptu 'love song' to her on the spot. I don't think she will ever be the same. It was a fun-filled week in Chicago and our city sparkled like a diamond!

Common thrills the World Business Chicago crowd at the Adler Planetarium. (Photo by Candace Jordan)
Common thrills the World Business Chicago crowd at the Adler Planetarium.

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Sister Rosemary Connelly and Lois Gates of Misericordia.

The 27th Artist in All fundraiser for Misericordia featured artwork created by talented Misericordia resident artists with assistance of dedicated staff and volunteers. Through the Artist

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Proud resident beside his artwork.



In All, Misericordia Siblings (SIBS)
program residents’ artwork was showcased and shared in a world-class venue, the Art Institute’s Modern Wing, that allowed them to reach out to the Chicago community and feel the same exhilaration all artists experience when their work is admired and sought by others. Misericordia offers a community of care that maximizes potential for persons with mild to profound developmental disabilities, many of whom are also physically challenged. By serving society’s most vulnerable citizens, Misericordia also serves the families who want the best for them yet cannot provide it at home.

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With fellow Dream Award honorees Gene ('Duke of Earl') Chandler and Hosea Sanders.



This spring/summer has been an exceptionally gratifying year. I've
been

Communicator Award of Distinction
Communicator 'Award of Distinction' for 'Candid Candace - The Podcast!"

thrilled to support so many deserving nonprofits and, this year, I was recognized by PAWS Chicago (as seen in post above) as well as by the Dream Awards, which honored me with an Excellence in Media Award (thank you Mable Buckner!) Thanks to Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas for introducing me too! Additionally, my "Candid Candace- The Podcast!" received a Communicator Award of Distinction! Thank you to my producer/co-host John St. Augustine. My heart of filled to the brim with gratitude. To find out about all the exciting events, past and future, check out our latest podcast (Episode 36- Summer Stuff), HERE! 

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Ray Leeper and Nan
Choreographer Ray Leeper and GDC's Nan Giordano.

Chuck and I were excited to attend a sneak peek of Giordano Dance Chicago's upcoming fall season at the Harris Theater (on Oct. 25/26 and it was so THRILLING! Famed choreographer, Ray Leeper, has designed a finale piece that will blow the doors off titled "Black & Red" which is an homage to Gus Giordano (these were his favorite colors). This season, also marks the 40th anniversary of the company's much loved artistic director, Nan Giordano! Please click here for tickets and more info. AND, on Thursday, Oct. 10, "Dancing with the Giordano Stars" will return to Park West. This dance party will have a stellar cast of competitors dancing with the GDC professionals. Come out and cheer for your favorites. Info for this event can be found here! These are two events you won't want to miss!

 

 

GDC COMPANY 2024
Giordano Dance Chicago 2024

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This year, my blog is celebrating its 16th year! It is Chicago's first and longest running Istockphoto-637376058-612x612



lifestyle blog. For all of you who follow and support, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. It is a pure labor of love and, even though it's not as regular as I would hope, it will never go away. (If not a subscriber, please sign up here!)

Love, as always, Candace

[email protected]

P.S. A special shout-out to my friend Sylvia Perez (Fox-32)! I always love sharing events with YOU!



 

 


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