PLAYBOY'S LAST ONE; HISTORY-MAKERS; BILLY STRAYHORN CELEBRATION; M-POWER THE NIGHT; FILM FEST'S 1ST JUNIOR BOARD BASH; KINGS BOWL OPENING PARTY; BOTTLED BLONDE'S BASH; SKYLINE'S NEW COLUMNIST; KOHL'S EVENING TO IMAGINE; UNION LEAGUE GALA; A CHICAGO ELF DECORATES THE WHITE HOUSE; ART INSTITUTE'S DIWALI CELEBRATION; SCARLETT'S BIG AWARD; CHICAGO BOTANIC'S TWINKLING (AND I MEAN TWINKLING!) SOIREE; SWEET TREATS AT WORLD OF CHOCOLATE 2015; WE LOST THEM TOO SOON; MY FAV PEEP IN MICHIGAN AVENUE MAG; JENNY AND DONNIE IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT; SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU SMILE AND SOOOO MUCH MORE!
The Chinese American Service League’s (CASL) 33rd Annual Winter Benefit, Winter Night Chic, was held on December 4 at the Bridgeport Art Center's Skyline Loft. Rustic glamour and sweeping city views delighted nearly 500 guests as they mixed and mingled and enjoyed Asian cuisine from eight popular eateries. DJ Aileen Tie (aka
Orion Roswell) set the mood for a night of networking as guests, corporate leaders and local media celebrities tweeted out the fun, shared selfies on jumbo screens and kicked off the holiday season in grand
style. The host committee included Ravi Baichwal (ABC-7), Judy Hsu (ABC-7), Nancy Loo (WGN-TV), Joanie Lum (FOX-32), Susanna Song (CBS-2), Judy Wang (WGN-TV), Linda Yu (ABC-7), Ji Suk Yi (ABC-7) and me! Corporate co-chairs were Chinatown Parking Corporation
and Sue Ling Gin Charitable Foundation. Emcees Judy Hsu and Nancy Loo welcomed guests along with these notables who were seen on the scene: Toni Preckwinkle (President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners); Patrick Thompson
(11th Ward Alderman), Yong Wang (Deputy Consul General–People’s Republic of China), State Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs and Samuel Kuo (Deputy Director General—Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office). Representatives also attended from the
offices of Senator Dick Durbin, Senator Mark Kirk, Governor Bruce Rauner, Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger and City Clerk Susan Mendoza. CASL's Interest Class Dance Group performed the “Pi-Pa Dance” inspired by the ancient artwork of
Dunhwang, a city in western China, where there is a mixture of Buddhist and Chinese cultures. The dancers performed with their Pi-Pas, traditional Chinese string musical instruments. Participating restaurants included MingHin
Cuisine (served Siu Mai, vegetable spring rolls, baked BBQ buns); Royal Indian Grill (served chicken Makhani, Chianna masala w/garbonzo beans); Lao Sze Chuan (served Kung Pao Chicken, spicy eggplant in garlic sauce, Sze Chuan green beans); Lure
Izakaya Pub (served oyster shooters, Shishito peppers); Strings Ramen Shop (served Kamo (duck) Yaki Soba, vegetable Yaki Soba,
Sriracha broccoli); Joy Yee Noodles (served bubble tea, Thai red curry beef brisket, vegetable Chap Chae); Isla Pilipina (served Lumpia Shanghai, Pansit Bihon w/chicken, vegetable Pansit Bihon) and Phoenix Restaurant (served sesame balls, coconut cake). YUMMY! Spin Spun served rainbow colored cotton candy on
LED sticks! Milestone Wine and MillerCoors generously donated libations. The event raised over $125,000 for CASL to continue its wonderful variety of programs (over 30) to
benefit everyone in the community from seniors to toddlers. Love this organization and its dynamic founder Bernarda "Bernie" Wong! Congrats to all! (To learn more about CASL, click here!) (Photos by NewsWithJudy.com and Ben Lau)
The HistoryMakers, a national non-profit that develops, preserves, and provides online access to an archival collection of African American videotaped oral histories, presented “An Evening with Sheila Johnson” at The Art Institute of Chicago recently. The celebrity interview program, “The HistoryMakers, An Evening With…” is an annual fundraiser for the organization and consisted of a one-on-one interview
with Johnson conducted by award-winning journalist Gwen Ifill. (It was taped live for airing on PBS-TV). Ifill’s interview led the audience through Johnson’s
successful life as an entrepreneur–she is co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts and the only African-American woman to have ownership in three professional sports teams: the NBA’s Washington Wizards, the NHL’s Washington Capitals and
the WNBA’s Washington Mystics! Wowza! The taping also included tribute performances by R&B artists Kindred and Family Soul, accomplished vocalists Joan Collaso and Everett Greene and violinist Susan Starrett. Julieanna Richardson, founder and
executive director of The HistoryMakers, served as executive producer and Michelle T. Boone, Commissioner of the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events served as honorary chair. Previous interviews have featured Harry Belafonte, Dionne Warwick, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, BB King, Colin Powell, Della Reese, Russell Simmons, Diahann Carroll, Denyce Graves, Nikki Giovanni, Andrew Young, Earl Graves
and Berry Gordy. The evening ended with a gala reception in the Modern Wing of the Art Institute. The HistoryMakers designated the Library of Congress to serve
as the permanent repository for its collection of interviews. To date, the organization has interviewed over 2,700 HistoryMakers with the goal of creating an archive of 5,000 interviews or 20,000 hours of unique, first person testimony.
More than 300 professionals from Chicago’s corporate, civic and philanthropic communities raised their glasses to support Chicago Commons at the 121-year old non-profit’s annual wine-tasting fundraiser, Pour Out Your Heart for Commons, at Galleria Marchetti. The festive affair raised nearly $120,000 to support Commons’ critical work in early
education, youth services, adult education and senior care. The high energy evening, presented by Chicago Commons Emerging Leaders Council (CELC), featured the opportunity to sip wines from around the world, dine on delicious hors d’oeuvres, sample a variety of craft beers and peruse a silent auction. The evening,
chaired by Allison Carroll of Leo Burnett and Alberto Ortega of Sodexo, also featured a luxurious raffle item, a stay at the Chateau du Chiron in Oradour-Saint-Genest, which is located on the French countryside three hours northwest of Bordeaux. Guests danced the night away to the sounds of the Chicago Players, who played a variety of music from
classic rock, standards, soul, and Motown, to hip-hop and indie rock. The fun continued at the after-party at Bar Siena in the West Loop. All proceeds raised from the event support the work of Chicago Commons with 92 cents of every dollar invested into programming. (Photos by Dan Rest)
The Auditorium Theatre hosted The Billy Strayhorn Festival Gala Celebration at The Hilton Chicago to celebrate the culmination of the Festival, a three month long
celebration honoring the jazz legend with concerts and educational panels at jazz halls and other organizations throughout Chicago. The Gala evening began with cocktails and
hors d’oeuvres in the Hilton’s beautiful Normandie Lounge followed by dinner in the elegant Grand Ballroom with entertainment by Orbert Davis & The Rich Daniels Quintet playing a Strayhorn program. The Gala was co-chaired by Bruce Bachman, Sidney and Sondra
Berman Epstein and Dave Samber and Darrell Windle. Honorary chairs were Alyce and Rochelle Claerbaut. The event was attended by nearly 300 guests and raised $215,000 to support the initiatives of the Auditorium Theatre.
Following the Gala, guests boarded trolleys en route to the Auditorium Theatre for VIP seating at the finale performance of The Billy Strayhorn Festival, Lush Life: The Music of Billy Strayhorn. The fully staged salute to
Strayhorn was directed by Bruce Mayhall Rastrelli and starred Broadway’s Darius de Haas, local cabaret icon Joan Curto, pianist Alan Broadbent, the Auditorium’s Too Hot to Handel Orchestra, Joel Hall Dancers and a 30-voice-all-male choir under the direction of Bill Chin. (Photos by Bob Carl and Paul Natkin)
The Union League Boys & Girls Clubs hosted its 38th Annual Gala held at the Club raising over $300,000 and highlighting the organization’s deep commitment to the 13,000 at-risk youth it serves in the Pilsen, Humboldt Park, Near West Side, Bucktown, Englewood and South Lawndale communities. “Every afternoon offers us a
chance to change a child’s future and we are truly thankful for our Gala benefactors that are helping us seize that opportunity,” said Terry Hendrickson, ULBGC board president. “Our Gala is crucial in funding our after-school programming designed to ensure success is
within reach of each young person that walks through their Club doors,” added Hendrickson. Proceeds from the Gala help change lives through after-school programming at eight club sites in Chicago. The ULBGC also operates a 247-acre summer residential camp in Salem, Wisconsin for the
benefit of its Boys & Girls Clubs members. Last year, the Clubs hosted an average 1,400 youth each weekday and served more than 143,000 after-school meals. For the event, Gala chairperson Nancy Ross, ULBGC board first vice president, led a team of creative volunteers who worked tirelessly to present a memorable evening for 312 guests. Attendees enjoyed an elegant dinner, dancing to the sounds of the Al Sofia Orchestra and silent and live auction prizes. Matt McGill, WVON-1690 AM radio host, emceed the event and is one of the
country’s premier morning-drive personalities with a show that offers substantive conversation mixed with his own brand of observational humor on the Talk of Chicago radio. For 95 years, the Clubs has served youth that need them the most in Chicago by promoting academic success, good character and citizenship and healthy lifestyles among
its members. In 2014, the Union League Boys & Girls Clubs served 12,942 youth with an average daily attendance of 1,407 youth, a 45-percent increase over the past three years. Great stats! Congrats to all! (Photos by Joe Gallo)
This year's Mpower the Night, the 2015 holiday celebration supporting Metropolitan Family Services, was held at the Fairmont Chicago recently raising $1.2
million to support MFS' programs and services. Nearly 600 guests attended the bash, emceed by Ravi Baichwal, co-anchor of “ABC 7 Weekend News.” Retired Northern Trust Company executive and longtime Metropolitan Board Member John McClure and
the McClure family were honored for their dedication and generosity in supporting MFS' mission of M-powering families. Guests raised awareness and shared the fun-filled night by tweeting photos and event details with the hashtag #MpowertheNight. Chicago-based
composer and artist Benjamin Montalbano welcomed guests to the reception on his jazz piano, while Enough Said, a Maggie Speaks Band, kept the party going after the program with music that kept guests on the dance floor. The night included an
auction that included trips to Mexico (which sounds real good right now!) and a wine raffle of select vintages culminating in a grand prize of 50 bottles! Metropolitan Family Services Mpowers families "to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive." Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857 Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers Chicago-area families to reach their greatest potential
and positively impact their communities!
The Junior Board for Cinema/Chicago ( that presents the Chicago International Film Festival) held its first annual fundraiser at the Godfrey Hotel Chicago’s IO Urban Roofscape, raising thousands of dollars
for its year-round Education Program, which welcomes 8,000 Chicago Public School students to free film screenings throughout the year. Guests included governing board member Lauren Robishaw, junior board
president Hanna Soltys, vice-president Ashley Loquercio and founder and artistic director Michael Kutza. Over one hundred guests enjoyed Stella Artois, Dark Horse Wine and cocktails courtesy of Wansas Tequila while DJ Toddizza played a
mix of hip hop and 80s classics. The evening included red carpet photo opps, appetizers provided by The Godfrey Hotel and a silent auction. Guests bid on a range of items including an all-expense paid trip to New Orleans, premium
Bulls tickets and a ten-course-meal provided by Goose & Fox. Junior board president Soltys and VP Loquercio thanked the crowd and donors including Cinema/Chicago governing board members Penelope R. Steiner (board president), Byron Pollock, Ross Miller, and
Matt Corrigan. “We wanted to hold a larger-scale fundraiser for a few years, and on the heels of the 51st Chicago International Film Festival, it felt like a perfect time to keep the momentum going,” said Soltys. “The Junior Board is such a dynamic
group of people who infuse the Festival with great enthusiasm and energy. The Board not only fundraises for the Education Program, but also regularly volunteers at our Education Program events. Their support is so valuable,” said Rebecca Fons, Cinema/Chicago’s education director and organizational liaison to the Junior Board. Cinema/Chicago’s Junior Board presents
events throughout the year, including a screening series at PUBLIC Hotel Chicago and “Junior Board Night” during the Chicago International Film Festival. Members range in age from 26-40 and have a passion for film and the Festival. This event was the organization's inaugural yearly fundraiser. (For more info, click here!) (Photos by Timothy Schmidt)
Kings Bowl, an expansive bowling, dining and cocktail venue, opened a new location in Lincoln Park in the new retail and entertainment destination NEWCITY (1500 N. Clybourn Avenue). The opening night bash attracted more than 500 guests who enjoyed a variety of festivities throughout the evening including fire dancers, aerialist performances, bowling and even a Joan
Rivers impersonator that greeted guests upon their arrival! An amazing array of delectable hors d’oeuvres were served, from mini lobster rolls to an adult snow cone and a cotton candy bar! Kings’ new 24,000-square-foot complex will be its most impressive to date, featuring 16 ten-pin bowling lanes, a full-service upscale
lounge, 222-foot bar and game room. Having opened its first Chicago-area location in Rosemont’s MB Financial Park in 2012, the
Lincoln Park location will be Kings’ eighth venue nationwide. “Kings is pulling out all the stops with special features for the Lincoln Park location,” said Patrick Lyons, founder of Kings Bowl. “We have a lot of surprises in store and we can promise guests a great experience that
will reignite the fun and camaraderie of bowling paired with an expansive menu, great music and creative mixology.” Kings Bowl is committed to being an actively engaged member of the greater Chicago-area, supporting the community and its charities by hosting fundraisers, including annual celebrity-driven charity events attended by the likes of
popular celebrities and athletes including Bears Charles “Peanut” Tillman, Matt Forte Jim McMahon & Otis Wilson, KISS FM’s Fred & Angie, Jarrett Payton and former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. Kings will immediately look to make a similar impact at its Lincoln Park location. Other famous
guests at Kings include Lady Gaga, Adam Sandler, Seth MacFarlane, Mark Wahlberg and many more of music and Hollywood’s finest.
Congrats to Chicago's own Christmas elf, Quenten Schumacher, who was invited to help decorate the White House for the holidays! Quenten
worked on the Military Tribute tree, among lots of other festive decor, and hand-placed 56 snowmen on the White House lawn representing our U.S. states and territories! A large AIDS ribbon hangs from the columned portico and the Promenade ceiling treatment features hand-cut snowflakes donated from
students around the country. Each state is represented by a custom-laser cut snowflake with state related icons. The Gingerbread House weighs 500 lbs! Q was even thanked by First Lady Michelle Obama who complimented him on his festive jacket, too (of course)! To read more fun details and see ALL the exquisite White House holiday decor, click here! Congrats Q! So proud and happy for you!!! (Watch for the PBS special airing 12/13 at 6 pm)
Two hundred lovers of beautiful architecture and historic preservation came together for a special afternoon as Landmarks Illinois, the state’s leading advocate for the preservation of historic
sites and buildings, honored the recipients of the 2015 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Awards. The awards ceremony included a panel discussion featuring several of the afternoon’s honorees, followed by the award
ceremony and cocktail reception. This year’s award recipients were: Bishop Hill Heritage Association, Bishop Hill – Stewardship; Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, Chicago – Rehabilitation; Dorchester Art + Housing Collaborative, Chicago – Project of the Year,
Adaptive Use; Fuller Dome Home, Carbondale – Restoration; Glessner House Museum, Chicago – President’s Award for Stewardship; Downtown Jacksonville Turnaround, Jacksonville – Advocacy; Laurent House Foundation, Rockford – Advocacy + ADA 25 Award; Mike Jackson, Springfield – Joe Antunovich Award for Leadership and Prairie
Street Brewhouse, Rockford – Rehabilitation. Congrats to all!
Bottled Blonde Pizzeria + Beer Garden (504 N. Wells St) made its Chicago debut with an exclusive, private VIP grand opening party, introducing a new dining and nightlife
experience to the River North neighborhood. The contemporary Italian, open-air concept presents a marriage between a classic Italian kitchen and German bier garden, with the concept originating in Scottsdale, AZ. More than 450
guests attended the VIP grand opening event, noshing on Bottled Blonde’s signature wood-fired pizzas, creamy risotto, decadent sandwiches and sweet Italian zeppole, while sipping signature cocktails, including the Pumpkin Mule and local craft brews. Notable guests
included DIY Network Kitchen Crasher’s star Alison Victoria, FOX Chicago News anchors Darlene Hill and Corey McPherrin, WGN-TV anchor Dina Bair, NBC meteorologist Alicia Roman, movie critic Richard Roeper and cute entrepreneur DC Crenshaw. They had me at PIZZA! 🙂
Kohl Children’s Museum of Greater Chicago’s
annual An Evening to Imagine Gala, themed “30 Years and Growing,” commemorated the 30th anniversary of the founding of the museum and also marked ten years since the unveiling of the Museum’s world-class Glenview facility.
The event proved a great success, raising more than $700,000 to support the Museum’s educational programming, exhibits, services for children with special needs and outreach to children and families in low-income communities. 450
guests enjoyed an evening of dining, music, dancing, auctions and enchanting entertainment paying tribute to the work of the Founder’s Circle, a group of eight individuals and families who made the creation of the Museum’s Glenview facility possible. Those honored at the gala included Thomas
Donahoe, The Farley Family (James, Andrew and Brian), Nancy Firfer, Dolores Kohl Kaplan, Diana Mendley Rauner, W. Fritz Souder, Frederick H. Waddell and Estelle Walgreen. The evening began with a reception in the Museum’s exhibits and continued with dinner, dancing, and a short program honoring the Museum’s Founder’s Circle
in a special tent constructed adjacent to the Museum. Guests were treated to musical entertainment from Lynne Jordan and the Shivers. Erin and Brandon Beavers served as co-chairs of the event, along with the current and previous year presidents of the Museum’s Women’s Board, Bethany
Crocker and Sarah Alshouse. Offering 17 interactive, hands-on exhibits for children age’s birth to 8, the Museum’s mission is to encourage young children to become effective learners through self-directed complex play.
Three hundred guests gathered at the Art Institute for the 5th annual Diwali Celebration, honoring the Indian Festival of Lights. Guests were welcomed to the Art Institute by event co- chairs Barbara Levy Kipper and Anu and Arjun Aggarwal. Festivities began with a
reception in the Woman’s Board Grand Staircase, featuring cocktails by mixologists from the Dogma Group. Guests were treated to a fashion parade showcasing the couture collection of event fashion sponsor, Sahil. The evening continued with a lavish dinner in the Modern Wing’s Griffin Court, followed
by a live Bollywood dance performance. The event décor boasted lush arrangements of hot pink roses, saffron marigolds, and brightly hued Indian-crafted lanterns, all accented with flickering diyas and brightly colored linens. Guests enjoyed specialty cocktails by acclaimed mixologist, Adam Seger, and traditional Indian cuisine while taking in the Buddha
Lounge beats in Griffin Court. Post-dinner, guests kicked up their heels on the dance floor well into the early morning hours. The funds raised at this event will support the museum’s distinguished Indian program. Host committee members were Ritu and Gautam Dhingra, Kathleen and Charles Harper, Janet and Richard Horwood, Carol Kloster, Sharad Kapur, Robert M. and Diane V.S. Levy, Siddharth and Swati Mehta, Charles
H. Mottier, Sylvia Neil, Dan Fischel, Dr. Munira Patel and Paul Chona, Harvey and Elizabeth Plotnick, John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe, Nalini and Ravi Saligram, Alan Schriesheim and Kay Torshen, Dr. Seema Singhal and Neelu Khosla, Kim and Andrew Stephens, Paru and Nandu Thondavadi. (Photos by Jeff Ellis and Robert Kusel).
Scarlett Johansson will receive the 2016 Renaissance Award from the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago on Saturday, June 11, at the Ritz-Carlton. To snag tickets and for more info, visit: www.siskelfilmcenter.org
No surprise here, Pamela Anderson, 48 year-old mom of two, will be Playboy's last nude–hand-picked by Hugh M. Hefner, her biggest fan. The actress/model will grace the cover for a record 14th time since 1989. This also marks 
her 15th Playboy pictorial to date. The Jan/Feb edition of the magazine, which will include Anderson's 12-page pictorial and an interview, hits newsstands Dec. 11.
The Chicago Botanic Garden hosted its 10th annual "All Aboard" Gala on December 4th at the Garden. Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception overlooking a landscape twinkling with 750,000 lights, the Wonderland Express holiday train that whizzed along on three different levels of tracks past
miniature replicas of Chicago landmarks, live jazz, holiday chamber music and a dinner served in three rooms with exotic decor by Kehoe Designs. The event, co-chaired by Michelle McCarthy and Celine Lillie, was themed "In Search of Ancient Trees." The room decor was inspired by Africa (where the
ancient baobab trees can live over 1000 years); Scotland (where the Fortingall Yew is believed to be the oldest living thing in Europe at approximately 5000 years old) and California (where the giant sequoia, the General
Sherman lives–it's the largest single stem tree in the world). A unique raffle item offered the lucky winner the chance to pollinate the next rare, blooming corpse flower, the Titan Arum! Delicious cuisine provided by Jewell Catering. Check out my Chicago Tribune column next Sunday for more fun details from this elegant affair!
The AIDS Foundation of Chicago hosted its 14th annual World of Chocolate winter gala on December 3 at Union Station. Over 1,100 guests enjoyed sweet and savory tastings from 27 of Chicago's top chefs, chocolatiers and caterers. Judges
and attendees voted for their favorite treats and presentations with Chef Randy Reed and his team from the Intercontinental Hotel Chicago taking home top honors–the People's Choice Award. Read all about Chef Reed's
winning presentation, who the other winners were and MORE details in my Sunday Tribune column! Congrats to co-chairs Jill Allread, Greg Hyder, Glen Pietrandoni and Ben Stringfellow on a festive night of fundraising!
Sad news…..James Payton, beloved husband of Mable Buckner-Payton (president/CEO Streeterville Chamber of Commerce) passed away on Thanksgiving Day after a long battle with cancer. His services were held on December 12 at the Fourth Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of 
Northwestern University. May he RIP.
And more sad news….much loved hairdresser Jerry Gordon left us all too soon. He was an icon, a legend, a bon vivant and, as Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich called him, "A Stylist of Life." I knew Jerry when I was modeling in the '70's. He used to cut my hair from time to time and you never just got a haircut from him, you received inspiration and life lessons. He will be missed. Read Mary
Schmich's loving article here. Services will be private but, at Jerry's request, any donations in his memory should be made to his favorite charity, Dogs for the Deaf, Inc.
I love all the cool social magazines we have in our awesome city and I especially love seeing my favorite peep's photo in them! Here's Chuck Jordan, looking handsome as always, in Michigan Avenue Magazine at the Chicago International Film Festival's Awards Night. #GreatChoice
Speaking of Chuck, he recently met up with his pals from the Mahogany Club at Gene & Georgetti's Restaurant. The food can't be beat and the ambiance is always so inviting but the best part is the wonderful camaraderie he finds there! Longtime regular Trish
made these cool G & G Christmas ornaments for the Club members! I told Michelle Durpetti she should think about selling these wonderful mementos there! #LoveIt
Under the "someone you should know" category, jazz vocalist Sam Fazio has a wonderful new holiday disc out 
just in time for the season, "Swingin' thru the Holidays." Sam has performed across the country and in Chicago most recently at the legendary Green Mill. If you're in the mood for some festive swing, click here!
Looks like the Wahlberg family has the spirit of Christmas! Recently, Jenny McCarthy, Donnie Wahlberg and their son Evan Asher helped Chef Alain Roby of the All Chocolate Kitchen (33 S. Third St. in Geneva)
celebrate the 3rd anniversary of his World's Longest Candy Cane by assisting him in breaking the 10' replica outside his shop! Ho! Ho! Ho and now ya know! 🙂
A new columnist for Skyline newspaper! Chicago artist, writer and historian Tom O'Gorman will take over Ann Gerber's column in the Skyline shortly. Congrats to Tom who has written numerous books on Chicago history, politics and
architecture and was a scholar-in-residence at the Newberry Library. Check out all the news in this great article by Robert Feder, who broke the story. Let's just hope this new columnist is kinder and gentler. The late Bunky Cushing was also considered according to the article.
Chuck and I and the "kids" are all ready for Christmas with every corner decorated. I love trimming the tree with all our ornaments where each one has a story. Some of our treasures include a DIY ornament made by my 2nd grade teacher, Elsa Faulkner; a Barbie Doll ornament from my mom; one from every trip we ever took; one with my Dupo High School logo on it; one
from Chuck's alma mater Notre Dame; lots of Harry Potter and Winnie the Pooh related ones; LOTS of Chihuahua related ones (duh?!) and some from the 19th century (I collect antique Christmas items). I love the warm, comforting glow from the six trees we
have up (4 on the terrace, one in the bedroom and one in the living room)! There's just something about the holidays that warms my heart and takes my mind off the madness that's loose in the world right now. It has to end soon, I'm running out of room for holiday decor!
I hope you and your families are enjoying the season too! Thanks for reading what I write. It means more to me than you know.
Love,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com
P.S. And, as always, something to make you smile…..:-)
Candace, Your holiday decorations are to die for, and like you, I live for the “Holidays”. I live in a high rise, so, which limits me, to how many “Christmas Trees”, I am allowed to have. A large on e in the living room, and a small one in the bedroom, with tons of lights and decorations.
Wishing you and your family, the best of the holidays.
From your ex “Playboy” co-worker.
Judy Jenkins
Thanks so much for this nice comment Judy! So glad you enjoyed the post….and yes, I’m a Christmas nut! Glad to know you’re one too! There’s safety in numbers! Ho! Ho! Ho!