CHICAGOANS FIND FUN IN THE SANTA FE SUN!

The invitation was irresistible. “Tired of city life? Then get out of Dodge to the mountains of New Mexico at sunny Corkin’s Lodge. I’m planning a trip and I hope you can come…it’s sure to be a blast in the warm mountain sun. We’ll bunk in log cabins, we’ll swim, hike and fish…or just lay by the pool and do whatever we wish. It’ll be very casual, pack your shorts and your jeans. Bring a sweater for the campfire—we’ll roast weenies and beans. So leave all your bling and your high heels behind, don your flannel and Gortex…we’ll have a GREAT time!” See what I mean?! And when Jan Melk is doing the inviting, you would be an absolute crazy person to refuse! So I packed my flannels, swimsuit, tennis shoes (no hiking boots!), BIG flashlight (as instructed), bug spray (as instructed) and set off on my great New Mexico adventure. My travelling companions were Leslie Hindman and Helen Melchior; Leslie and I flew out together and discovered we are both afraid of flying—we weren’t a particularly good combination except for the fact that we both needed wine and we both carried good luck charms. I loved her even more after I knew this. We had fun on the flight and, thanks be to God, it was uneventful. After arriving in New Mexico, Leslie, as expected, had dealer/friends to visit and I was thrilled to tag along. We also had another friend, Katherine Veach, who was/is awesome and made the first part of the trip even more fun. We all hopped into our rental car and off we drove to Santa Fe. Since I had never been here before, everything was new to me…I first noticed the starkness of the surroundings as we drove in and wasn’t sure if this was the place for me. I love everything green and lush so this was certainly a vast dep
arture. We arrived at the Hotel Santa Fe, which was lovely, and we headed right out on a tour. We visited the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum which seems to be the biggest attraction there. Besides the beautiful artwork, what struck me the most was her sense of self and adventure. This woman was determined to live her life her way and in the ‘30s and ‘40s, this was a pretty radical idea. In 1924, she married the renowned photographer Alfred Steiglitz and after he died in 1946, she spent the next half of her life in northern New Mexico until she died in 1986. This is what she had to say, “As soon as I saw New Mexico, I knew it was mine. My country. The sky is different, the wind is different, the stars are different…I shouldn’t say too much about this because other people will get interested and I don’t want them to get interested.” Now I know what she means thanks to Jan. It was a wonderfully mixed group of fun friends who included Michel Desjardins and Pierre Desy (who celebrated their 17th anniversary there), Melinda Jakovich, Margaret O’Connor and Michael O’Meara, Katherine Veach, Deb Walters, Shelley Young, Sara Meyers, Julie and Randy Richardson and Dawn Mattozzi. The first night, Jan hosted a party at her charming Bruce Gregga designed home. It was beyond gorgeous and the caterers, Peas & the Pod, served the most delicious Mexican themed food. The next night, we arrived at the Lodge which encompasses 700 acres at the foot of the Brazos Cliffs in the San Juan Mountains. We were spoiled with delicious meals every evening by Chef John McVey and a couple of nights we even sat around the campfire and had s’mores and told ghost stories. During the day, some of us went fly fishing which was really a hoot. The surroundings were breathtaking, as you can see, and the guides were very instructive. Almost everyone caught (and released) a fish with Helen Melchior making the biggest catch—a 20-inch rainbow trout! Other guests went river rafting and on the last day, I opted to relax by the pool with a panoramic view of the Brazos Mountains. The only sounds I heard were the dragonfly’s wings, the chipmunks in the brush, the blue jays fighting with the woodpeckers and the deer! Oh my, the deer! They were so tame they ate right out of your hands! I even saw a doe with her two fawns dining on the grass in front of our cabin. It was truly a magical experience and I was so very grateful to be included in this fun group. There is so much to do in this awe inspiring setting at Corkin’s. You should go and see for yourself! To view ALL pics from this adventure, please click here!
 
Last week, Julee White invited a group of friends to Joe’s at 60 E. Grand with the intriguing message that there would be “a special announcement that will be a surprise to all.” Guests included Kathleen Henson, Carrie Birkel, Brenda Sexton, Mickey Norton, Laura and Andrea Schwartz and Chaz Ebert. The clue turned out to be the preponderance of heart motifs. They were everywhere—in ribbons around the table, in the icing on the personalized More Cupcakes and especially in the loaded gift bags. Chef Gary Baca came out and explained the delicious menu that included a “Heart” Salad with romaine hearts, artichoke hearts and hearts of palm and a choice of salmon or lemon herb chicken breast with grilled asparagus. Dessert was “mostly” red raspberry pie. And then the moment of truth came and Julee stood up to announce that she had left NBC and was starting her own business, Testarossa Entertainment. It will handle and develop entertainment and marketing ideas AND that her first collaboration will be with Kathleen Henson on a VERY exciting project! I can’t tell you the details just yet but it will be heart related and everyone in Chicago will know about it very, very soon!!! IT WILL BE A DELIGHT FOR CHICAGO and will also support a wonderful cause…stay tuned for more details! In the meantime, a huge congrats to one of the brightest and best liked ladies around, Julee White!
 
Speaking of fabulous women, I also want to congratulate Mary Pat Burns on her recent birthday! She celebrated at the Sable Kitchen and Bar in the Hotel Palomar in River North with friends Sharyl Mackey, Sheila O’Grady, Cindy Burns, Jean Antoniou, Sheryl Dyer, Cindy Burns and moi. Mary Pat is a partner in the law firm of Burke, Burns & Pinelli which specializes in governmental affairs, complex financial and real estate litigation as well as civil litigation. She is also a judge on the Illinois Court of Claims. Whew…what a list of accomplishments!! Top this off with the fact that she is one of the kindest, smartest and most formidable women I know and you can see why everyone wanted to celebrate with her! I hope I am with you to celebrate your 100th, Mary Pat!!! 
 
The 8th annual Parkways Foundation Garden Party is right around the corner so I hope you have your hat ready to go!!! The event will be held on Thursday, September 16th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in The Tiffany & Co. Foundation Celebration Garden in Grant Park. More than 600 are expected to attend the luncheon which is being co-chaired by Laura Barnett Sawchyn, Carol Prins and Marty Higgins. Tickets begin at $225 and can be reserved by calling Director of Communications Alison Krzys at 312-742-4816 or visit www.parkways.org
 
The Joffrey’s 5th annual Couture & Cocktails will be held on Friday, September 24th, at the W Chicago—City Center (172 W. Adams) and will feature internationally known designer, Carmen Marc Valvo, presenting Carmen Marc Valvo Couture in a dramatic fashion show, along with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a silent and live auction and, of course, dancing with the Joffrey dancers! This year’s co-chairs, Kristina McGrath and Marci Holzer, have planned lots of surprises for us: The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with an exclusive VIP party and a meet-and-greet with the designer. The fashion show will begin at 8 p.m. Last year’s C & C attracted nearly 600 guests and was held in the dramatic lobby of the world famous Palmer House. It has grown exponentially every year and this year will be no exception! Come prepared for fun, fashion, dancing and unique live and silent auction offerings! I’m planning my outfit now! See you soon!!!! Tickets, beginning at $275, can be purchased by calling 312-386-8921 or by visiting CoutureandCocktails@Joffrey.org.
 
I’ve worn Chicago designer Elda de la Rosa’s designs a lot recently (in TCW’s September Style feature and also for Shore Magazine’s upcoming Style Icons feature) and now you can come and see for yourself what a fabulous designer – and person – she is on Wednesday, September 22nd when she previews her Fall-Winter 2010 collection in the Chicago landmark “Edgewater Apartments, Pink Palace” at 5555 N. Sheridan Road in Chicago. The show will be produced by ZZazz Productions with the cocktail reception beginning at 6 p.m. and the fashion show beginning at 7 p.m. Elda said, “I am delighted to share my vision for the fall and holiday season, with the emphasis on classic Parisian style and elegance, my inspiration for the collection.” Ooh-la-la! I can’t wait to see it!!! Please RSVP by September 18th to info@eldadelarosa.com or call 773-769-3128. Please click here to see more pics from TCW, Shore and ME: In Focus Magazine shoots.
 
I don’t like to talk politics but with Alderman Vi Daley stepping down in the 43rd ward, I have to let you know about a great guy who will be running for her office. Tim Egan has lived in the Gold Coast for over eight years. His wife Marlena (who is expecting twins) has lived there her whole life. Secretary of State Jesse White has already endorsed him and since I’ve known him personally for a while, I am too. He is an honorable man with a world of common sense—just what seems lacking lately in politics! So when you go to the polls on February 22nd, please consider Tim. I am now stepping down off of my soapbox. 🙂

The first annual “Who Is Chicago” event will be held on Thursday, September 16th, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Cuvee, 308 W. Erie. Produced by Cece & Melinda, Raymi Productions and Chicago Social Magazine, the event will honor 10 people involved in the philanthropic and non-profit community. I am honored to be included along with Paula Fasseas, Justin Jacobson, Anida “Cookie” Cohen, Juell Kadet, Rhett Lindsay, Reverand Stan Sloan, William Goldstein, Molly Riley and Celena Roldan. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. For more info, please visit www.ceceandmelinda.com. Hope to see you there!
 
That’s all for now and I hope you enjoy all of the fun news from around town….I also hope to see you at one or more of these events coming soon!
 
Love,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com
 
P.S. The Limelight’s 25th Anniversary Party sure looked like a blast…I was so sorry to miss it! Thanks to Steve Starr for this great pic from the party featuring Chicago’s own Kathy O’Malley Piccone and former Limelight VIP host, BJ Murray…aahhhh I remember it well!