PLUS EBONY'S STAR-STUDDED POWER 100 GALA; NEXT FASHION CHICAGO; FAREWELL CHARLIE; SC'S DISCO NIGHT; HOWARD'S HONOR; GREEN COAT GALA; L.A.'S INNER-CITY ARTS GALA; ROBERT'S NOBLE CAUSE; MY FAV HOLIDAY STORE; CUSTOM FUN AT LAUDI VIDNI; CHICAGO'S "GLOW"; MARRIOTT'S MARY POPPINS; A LEGEND'S NIGHT OUT; EB AND ELIZA'S HAPPY DAY AND MORE!
I would follow Urban Prep Academies founder Tim King ANYWHERE and I did, along with more than 300 other friends and fans to the 7th annual 
Aces Up 2013 poker party/fundraiser at the Museum of Broadcast Communications on November 14. Hosted by Tim, Alexi Giannoulias, Richard Roeper, and former 
Chicago Bear Chris Zorich, the evening included lots of "celebrity bounties", local media personalities who were each stationed at a poker table.
Yours truly, even though 
I DO NOT play poker, played for Tim and Urban Prep (did I mention I would follow him anywhere?) and was surprisingly the LAST bounty to be eliminated! Other celeb players included Jerry Azumah, Roe Conn, D.C. Crenshaw (who donated Wansas tequila from his 312 Spirits), Natalie Martinez, Tim Smithe,
City Treasurer Stephanie Neely, Tribune sportswriter 
Teddy Greenstein, Susan Carlson, Amy Jacobson, Cook County Board Commissioner John Fritchey, Eric Ferguson, Chicago Tribune business reporter Ameet Sachdev, Cheryl Scott and Rafer Weigel. 
There was an open bar, vodka tasting, a fabulous buffet and prizes valued at over $10,000 including the chance to win a trip for two to Vegas. Many players who lost all their chips opted to "Tie-It-Up!" by making an additional donation to Urban Prep.
They received more chips and could remain in the tournament. 
In addition to the chips, these players received a red and gold striped Urban Prep tie–the same tie that UP seniors receive upon gaining admission to college. 
Urban Prep Academies, the charter school for boys with a 100% graduation rate, 
was founded in 2002 by Tim King and a group of African-American education, business and civic leaders and is the country's first charter public high school for boys. Urban Prep operates three schools in high-need Chicago communities. We Believe! (www.urbanprep.org) (Photos by Kardas)
The world's greatest golf champion, Jack Nicklaus, headlined the 3rd Western Golf Association's Green Coat Gala on November 6 at the Peninsula Chicago. The winner of 18 major championships, two Western 
Open titles and the Western Amateur Championship, Nicklaus charmed the black-tie crowd of more than 400 fans with an intimate, all-encompassing
interview of his life with host Andy North (himself a two-time U.S. Open winner).The evening began in a penthouse suite on the 18th floor with a private reception. Huge terraces 
showcased sweeping views of the city but the crowd kept their eyes glued to the door waiting for the star of the night to arrive.
You knew instantly the moment Nicklaus entered the suite as the strobe lights from dozens of cameras lit up the room. He graciously posed for photos as guests jockeyed for attention. 
Another reception followed where a silent auction was displayed. The one of kind items included a vintage Walker Cup photo of the 1st team from 1922 with Chick Evans, Bobby Jones and Francis Ouimet; a Patrick Kane signed hockey puck; a Ryder Cup framed pin flag signed by European Cup Captain Jose Maria 
Olazbal and US captain Davis Love III; a football signed by Mike Ditka with Bears vs. Cowboys suite tickets; a Blackhawk's
jersey signed by the 2012 European Ryder Cup Team and golf packages to Prairie Dunes Country Club and Quail Lodge & 
Golf Club. NBC 5's Peggy Kusinski welcomed guests to dinner in the Grand Ballroom where dramatic floral arrangements by Kehoe Designs graced every table. Noted philanthropists Sharyl and Mike Mackey co-chaired this sold-out event for the third year that benefitted the Evans Scholars 
Foundation. To date, the Foundation has awarded tuition scholarships and full housing to more than 10,000 caddies from across the nation to top universities. Mark Abtahi, a current University of Illinois Evans Scholar, delivered a speech describing how this program has changed his life. During the "Golden Bear's" interview, North talked about how Nicklaus had established tournaments in his home town of Arlington, Ohio, designed 380 courses in 36 countries; 
played an integral role in getting golf back into the Olympics and was the President's Cup caption four times. North had all of the Evans Scholars in the room stand saying, "Let's keep this thing going for another 83 years." When 
North asked Nicklaus how he stayed so competitive he replied, "I always looked at myself as trying to climb a mountain and I never felt like I did. I think this dissatisfac
tion drove me." He also mentioned his wife Barbara's comment, "There's no excuse for not being properly prepared." In describing Evans Scholars he said, "A big part of coming to the Western Open was knowing you would have an Evans 
Scholar caddy, someone you knew you would develop a lasting relationship with." When asked who he admired the most in the game, Nicklaus replied, "I have more respect for Lee Trevino, 
the way he turned his life around, more than anybody I know." A line of golf balls, bearing Nicklaus' name will be launched with part of the proceeds going back to his children's charities, Nicklaus Children's Healthcare Foundations. WGA president and CEO John Kaczkowski honored 
Nicklaus with an induction into the WGA Caddy Hall of Fame. "Jack remains golf's greatest champion, and his three Western Golf Association tournament titles 
make him an integral part of the WGA's history." The crowd gave him a standing ovation. A member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, 
Nicklaus won the 1967 and 1968 Western Opens, and holds the record for most victories in professional golf's major
championships, at 18. He has won 6 Masters titles, five PGA Championships, four U.S. Opens and three British Opens. He also won the 1961 Western Amateur. The event raised more than $900,000 for the Evans Scholars Foundation. To see more pics from this event, Click Here! (For more info, visit www.wgaesf.org)
Ebony Magazine hosted the star-studded EBONY Power 100 gala in New York City at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. 
Rose Hall on November 4 to celebrate the honorees on its annual EBONY Power 100 list. The list salutes the achievements of influential African-Americans 
in the country and, this year, honored the legendary founder of Motown Records, Berry Gordy, with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Power 100 List honoree/entertainer Nick 
Cannon, emceed the event which also honored President Obama (Power Broker of the Year), actress Kerry Washington, NBA superstar/entrepreneur Earvin "Magic" Johnson, actor Michael B. 
Jordan, film director Lee Daniels, chefs Marcus Samuelsson and Roblé Ali and activists Harry Belafonte and Marian Wright Edelman among others. The Motown-themed 
evening, presented by Nationwide Insurance, included a special performance and tribute by The Jacksons and American rock/jazz pianist ELEW with a menu designed by James Beard
Award-winning chef/author/honoree Marcus Samuelsson (owner of Red Rooster Harlem in NYC). Hot, local DJ KISS played throughout the evening and at the after-party along with Cannon. (The full list of the EBONY Power 100 can be found here). For more photos please Click Here! (Photos courtesy of Ebony Magazine.)
The Service Club of Chicago Gala celebrated the organization's 123rd anniversary in grand style at the Four Seasons recently with more than 380 guests in attendance. The room sparkled with decor by Tom Kehoe that included silver disco balls, orchid-filled lucite vases, sequined table coverings, white leather furniture and so much more. It was all in keeping with the theme Studio 123 (to denote the 123rd anniversary) and to pay homage to the legendary NY nightclub 
Studio 54. This hotspot from the 70's was THE place to be and I was lucky to have been a habitue'. I lived in NY at the time and was a model with the Wilhelmina Agency. You would regularly see Warhol, Grace Jones, Bianca and others huddled together on couches in the VIP room. The servers were stunning guys dressed in skimpy outfits who never lacked for attention from both men and women. While you were on the dance floor, a giant moon with a coke spoon would come 
out of the ceiling….it was a wild time that, sadly, a lot of people never recovered from. I'm lucky to be here to tell the tale! LOL! Anyway, back to this fabulous event that was co-chaired by 
Nina Mariano, Heather Ingram and Darby Hills who were all dressed like the movie stars that they are! Service Club members Tina Weller and Karen Peters did an outstanding job putting together and securing ad sales for the tribute book. Laura Wallace and Lisa Adelstein led the membership in accumulating auction items and Sheree Valukas and 
Cheryl Bollinger made sure the raffle went well. The goody bags were packed thanks to Mary Lasky and Genine Shafer and Tracey DiBuono and Natasha Isaacs made sure we were all entertained in high style! As always, it was a group effort that is a hallmark of this worthy organization that provides grant support for so many local non-profits in all areas. 
The Al Sofia Band kept the crowd on the dance floor until the wee hours ending, appropriately, with Donna Summer's "Last Dance." A PAWS Chicago puppy was auctioned off as well as lunch with the former Mayor Rich Daley at Gibson's. Guests seen on the scene included glam twins Kristina McGrath and 
Korrina Isselhardt, Cheri Lawrence, Tracey and Joe DiBuono, Jean and Andy Antoniou, Stacie Mickelson, president Vonita Reescer, Mamie Walton, Stanley Paul, Peter Martino, Sheryl Dyer, Greg Hyder, Jonathon Wells, Gregory Day, Toni and Rick Canada, Jennifer Lane, Bruce Rauner, Kye Martin, Sherry and Randy Abrahams, Dusty and Alex Stemer, Maria and Bill Smithburg, Lezley and Scott Hodes, 
Sheree and Jim Valukas, Bonnie Rickard, Larisa Kronfeld, Shaun Rajah, Jasper Nowell, Camille Pearl, Dede Lubeznik, Hazel Barr, Belvon and
Cleve Walker, Sherrill Bodine, Sharyl and Mike Mackey, Kim Gleeson, Susan and John Colletti, Debbie and Bill Terlato, 
Quenten Schumacher, Denise Tomasello Conover and husband Don, Sue Caray, Chuck Hannon, Bonni Gross and Barry Hershman, Jim Karas, Alayna and D.C. Crenshaw, Rosemary Fanti and Richard Koranda and Robin and Tom Segesta. 
Actors dressed as Andy Warhol, Donna Summer and Cher added a great element for photo opps with guests. More than $480,000 was raised for the Service Club of Chicago, the oldest women's charitable organization in the city. For more pictures from this event Click Here!(Fabulous photos by Mila Samokhina). (www.ServiceClubofChicago.org)
It was one of the most beautiful services I've ever attended. The Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago was filled to bursting for Chef Charlie Trotter's memorial service, every pew was filled as well as the balcony. Chairs had to be added to the edges for the overflow crowd for this tribute that was open to the public and 
included many of the nation's top chefs such as Emeril Lagasse, Gordon Sinclair, Rick Bayless and Art Smith. Mayor Rahm Emanuel spoke so movingly that the crowd broke out in applause at the end. (Rahm and Charlie were in the same class at New Trier). Pastor Robert L. Smith (St. Matthew's Church Chicago) spoke as well 
(he is Charlie's father-in-law). Charlie's sister, Anne Trotter Hinkamp, spoke about growing up with Charlie. She mentioned that he was never still and always had a flair for the unexpected. They were charming stories of a life well lived that ended way too soon. Pastor Sarah Sarchet Butter (a family friend from the First 
Presbyterian Church of Wilmette) recalled his many charitable endeavors and recounted wife Rochelle saying that "the most important thing to Charlie was giving back." A touching sight was seeing so many chefs in attendance wearing their white chef jackets, many bearing Charlie Trotter's name, in honor of the occasion. Pastor Calum MacLeod, 
executive associate pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church, led the service that also included members of the Fourth Church Morning Choir led by John Sherer. All those in attendance were welcome at a reception that followed in Anderson Hall. As a remembrance for the family, cards bearing the words "Memories of a Chef" were available for guests to jot down their memories of Charlie. I've had the privilege of knowing both Rochelle and Charlie. I'm involved in the 
Service Club of Chicago where she is also a member. Besides being beautiful, her vivacious personality is a magnet for her friends and those who know her. I remember before they ever married, his name was always on her lips at every gathering. Hazel Barr remembered a meeting at NoMI where Charlie was all she could talk about even though she was there to discuss becoming a member of the organization. The last time I saw them together was for the Primo Classico in Lake Forest. I interviewed them both for my internet show. They were finishing each other's sentences which I thought was too sweet for words. He glowed around her and never took his eyes off of her when she was in the room. Their love was for the ages. Pastor Butter said "he changed the landscape of the food industry as well as changing the landscape of the lives of those who knew him"…..RIP Charlie…..(Donations in memory of Charlie may be made to Charlie Trotter's Culinary Education Foundation, 816 W. Armitage, Chicago, Ill. 60614.
On Thursday, October 17, hundreds of fashion lovers gathered at Germania Place in the Gold Coast for the third annual installment of NEXT Fashion Chicago from Executive Producer/Director Rose Mandel and Associate Producer Marco Foster. Celebrating Fashion Week in Chicago, the evening was filled with designer collections, live entertainment, exclusive shopping and surprises. 
Daniella Guzman and Alicia Roman of NBC-5 Chicago co-hosted the event, which included a VIP cocktail reception, an onsite opportunity to donate to Imerman Angels, a designer shopping boutique, an exclusive fashion presentation and an intimate after party. The crowd of spectacular guests included Edrop-off Luxury Consignment founder 
Corri McFadden, designers Borris Powell, Que Shebley, Nora Jewett (Nora Del Busto and jury member), Imerman Angels founder Jonny Imerman (host committee member), NYFC producer of Emerge Dionne Williams (host committee member) and Latino Fashion Week co-founders Arabel Alva Rosales and Cesar Rolon (host committee members). The thirty five minute fashion presentation included collections from extraordinary local designers J’Vieve by Tamra Ellingson, St. Frimpong, 
Elena Bobysheva, Sarah Church, Gary Gonzalez, Niala Conte, Mira Couture, Cleons Clothing Co. and Contessa Bottega, along with pieces from 10 finalists, featured as part of the first ever NEXT GENERATION Fashion Design Challenge, giving Chicago area fashion design students an opportunity to showcase their work during fashion week. Three of these talented youngsters were recognized for their outstanding designs: 
First Place, Myra Chung, Harper College; Second Place, Yoojin Lee, School of the Art Institute Chicago; and Third Place, Valeria Baker, College Of DuPage. 
The audience was also treated to a spirited surprise performance by legendary singer-songwriter, composer and musician Corky Siegel, who gleefully played harmonicaas models strutted down the runway. Additionally, Corri McFadden presented her former fashion instructor, Pilar Saiki, Stylist and Harper College Fashion Professor, a special award recognizing her contribution to the local fashion community. Check out more pictures from this event HERE!
Congrats to Chicago's own Howard Tullman for being honored by the Anti-Defamation League of Chicago with the Jerold S. Solovy Freedom Award. The gala will take place on December 4 at the Hilton Chicago and will also honor the student winners of the ADL's First Amendment Freedoms Essay and Art Contests. Congrats to a very deserving honoree! (www.adlchicago.org)
And now for some charitable/celeb news from the Left Coast! Inner-City Arts, a vibrant arts education campus of learning, achievement and creativity for underserved children in the heart of Skid Row, hosted its 2013 Imagine Awards Gala October 30 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel (the Pink Palace). Honorees included award-winning artist 
Charles Arnoldi (Artistic Excellence Award); photographer and former District Attorney Gil Garcetti (Philanthropic Leadership Award); and design innovator/entrepreneur 
Ralph Pucci (Creative Innovation Award). Robert Kennedy, Jr. presented actress, producer and director Cheryl Hines with the Children’s Advocacy Award. Geoffrey Annenberg and Jay Mangel co-chaired; Board member Eric Schotz emceed and R&B and soul music singer Maxine Nightingale and the Inner-City Arts Repertory Dance Company performed. 
More than $700,000 was raised to benefit the organization and its life-changing programs for Los Angeles youth. Founded in 1989, Inner-City Arts is a learning oasis in the heart of Los Angeles’ Skid Row. Under the guidance of professional teaching artists, Inner-City Arts’ students engage in a variety of visual and performing art forms in a real studio setting. www.inner-cityarts.org.
The Lydia Smith Sickle Cell Foundation held its 3rd Annual VIP’s Supporting Sickle Cell Cocktail Party recently at a luxurious penthouse in downtown Chicago. The Foundation was founded in 2011 by Robert L. Mackey, a Fort Mill, SC native and former NFL linebacker, and partnered with the University of Illinois Hospital earlier this 
year. The foundation and fund is named in honor of his mother who was diagnosed with sickle cell 19 years ago. Mrs. Smith was given a life expectancy of 7 years and told 50 would be the oldest age she would see but, happily, she proved 
them all wrong turning 57 years old this year! The Fund provides access to care, vouchers for transportation to/from the hospital, office & prescription co-pays, HLA typing tests, follow-up care, among other treatments. The event was filled with the who’s who of Chicago, including A Silver Lining 
Foundation for breast cancer founder, Dr. Sandy Goldberg. Guests enjoyed great music, food, silent auction, and specialty drinks for a great cause. This year the foundation raised funds for the newly created Lydia Smith Patient Assistance Fund 
for Sickle Cell in the University of Illinois Hospital and Medical Services Center in Chicago and it was a great success! Congratulations Robert and happy birthday Mrs. Smith! For more information on how to support (donations, volunteer, PR inquires), please go to www.sicklecellfund.org or call (773)-270-1606.
Celebs seen on the scene! Nine time Grammy Award Winning singer John Legend showed some major hometown pride recently at the Hennessy V.S event at Board Room. The newly married 
Chicago native arrived at the event shortly after midnight wearing a classic black military inspired pea coat and hopped on the mic. He thanked the overflow crowd for attending and for being so supportive of him throughout his career. The charming singer then posed for pics with Tone Kapone of the Power 92 Hot Boyz radio show as well as with several fans at the event. #GoodGuy
More than 300 professionals from Chicago’s corporate, civic and philanthropic communities raised their glasses to support Chicago Commons on November 2 at the 119-year old non-profit’s annual wine-tasting fundraiser, Pour Out Your Heart for Commons, at the East Bank Club. The 
festive affair raised nearly $130,000 to support Commons’ critical work in child development, youth services, adult education and care for seniors and adults with disabilities. The elegant evening presented by the Pour Out Your Heart for Commons Wine Committee, chaired by Daniel Brosk of ServerCentral, featured the opportunity to 
sip wines from around the world from five wine stations. Presented by GA Paving Contractors, the stations including offerings from Tiny Bubbles, Pure Italian, Views of Burgundy, Bordeaux Inspired and Big Reds. The wines were selected by wine consultant William Gibson of Southern Wine and Spirits of Illinois. “We are so pleased and thankful to see the continued 
support of the essential work we do with children in some of the city’s most isolated and under-served neighborhoods, where an estimated 40 percent of the children live below the poverty line,” said Betsy Altman, 
Commons’ interim executive director. “This support allows us to continue providing an innovative and stimulating learning environment that prepares children to excel in kindergarten and beyond. Guests bid on unique silent 
auction items that included a hockey stick autographed by the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, a golf vacation to the historic Pinehurst Resort, a Julius Peppers autographed football and more. Guests danced to the tunes of Brooke & The Nice Things and then the fun continued at the after party at Municipal Bar + Dining Co. (Ninety-two cents of every dollar Commons raises is invested into programming.)
The Chicago Lights Associates Board hosted its second annual "GLOW" gala in support of the programs of Chicago Lights and the children, youth and adults it serves. The neon-themed fundraiser was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago on October 19 and attracted more than 300 guests. Chicago Lights, a community 
outreach arm of Fourth Presbyterian Church, has served more than 50,000 Chicago residents since 1964 and offers programs and services in the Near North neighborhood, several elementary schools and the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. Each year, the organization serves 4,000 individuals of all races, ethnic backgrounds and religious traditions. “It is through events such as ‘GLOW’ that the Chicago Lights Associates Board supports efforts to empower, 
educate and inspire individuals throughout Chicago,’” said Chicago Lights Associates Board President Ryann Meyer. In addition to having exclusive access to the MCA’s art galleries, members of the Associates Board became artists themselves by writing their “BRIGHT IDEAS” on a colorful neon Post-it Note pattern that spelled “GLOW” along the building’s west-facing window. Attendees enjoyed an evening of live entertainment by Chicago DJ Broadway and late-night snacks from Wolfgang Puck Catering. More than $30,000 was raised at this second annual "Glow" gala. (www.chicagolights.org)
Congrats are in order for darling couple Edward Byron Smith III and Eliza Hammel who were wed in New Orleans on November 9th. 
After an outdoor evening ceremony, the couple celebrated with guests in the "second line parade" style of New Orleans headed by a jazz band and a police escort as they headed to their reception! 🙂
Mary Poppins is one of my favorite books and movies and, recently this supercalifragilistic, award-winning hit opened at the 
Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, in Lincolnshire! Running through January 5th, this irresistible story with unforgettable songs is directed by nine-time Jeff Award winner Gary Griffin with choreography by Jeff Award nominee Alex Sanchez! For tickets and more info, click here! I will see you at 17 Cherry Tree Lane Gov'ner!
Huge thanks to Laura Kofoid for giving me the opportunity to design my very own clutch for her fabulous Laudi Vidni line!! 
This unique concept allows you to create the perfect leather handbag that fits your lifestyle. I think mine is the perfect size for women-on-the-go with lots of well placed compartments for stuff like cameras and tiny notebooks! LOL! Love Laudi Vidni!! Thanks Laura!
One of my favorite stores around town is Vintage Pine, especially around this time of year when it's chock full of fabulous holiday decor, tabletop treats, unique gifts and timeless treasures! 
Its holiday market runs from November 21-24 at 904 W. Blackhawk. Since the building has been sold, they will be moving to another location soon, possibly in River North. So run, don't walk to this festive holiday market and be delighted and inspired! (www.vintagepine.com)
I hope you tune into WCIU's "You & Me This Morning" on Friday, November 29, when I will return as co-host! I can't wait to play with Jeanne Sparrow! Watch!
That's the news for this week! Thanks for checking in and I hope you have wonderful plans in store for Thanksgiving! Mine include a delicious fried turkey delivered from Joe Japczyk (773-474-3919). Healthy no, tasty yes! Gobble! Gobble!
Love, as always,
Candace 🙂
Candace@CandidCandace.com
P.S. Love and thanks to awesome artist Rosemary Fanti for this wonderful pic of Chuck and me! It is taking pride of place in our new home!
