PAWS CHICAGO BEACH PARTY; SERVICE CLUB'S RECORD-BREAKING DAY ON THE TERRACE; A TASTY NEW RESTAURANT; GUS GIORDANO DANCE SCHOOL CELEBRATES 65; TENNIS RETURNS TO CHICAGO; PETER'S JOY; CHICAGO SINFONIETTA'S FUNDRAISER FOR UNITY; CHICAGO TRIBUNE'S FOOD BOWL; ELI'S "SWEET TASTE OF SUMMER"; BUY A PIECE OF HISTORY–LIGHTHOUSES ON MAG MILE; "TIE ONE ON" WITH CHICAGO GATEWAY GREEN AND THE TIE BAR; FLAIR FASHION SHOW FUNDRAISER FOR THE CHICAGO LIGHTHOUSE; END OF SUMMER MUSINGS; VIDEOS AND SO MUCH MORE!
Jay Gatsby has nothing on Richard Driehaus! At his annual summer bash on July 28 at his estate, Glanworth Gardens (named in honor of his mother's birthplace in Glanworth, County Cork, Ireland), the invite-only crowd of over 800 experienced thrills on top of thrills to celebrate this much loved philanthropist/historic preservationist on his 76th
birthday. The extravaganza, themed "Spirit of 76", included characters dressed in period costumes (Betsy Ross, Will Rogers, Uncle Sam, etc.), multiple food pavilions serving all American fare like Philadelphia cheese-steaks, Coney Island hot
dogs, Kansas City BBQ, San Antonio Tex-Mex, Patriotic Pizza, Lady Liberty Lemonade and so much more! You get the picture! We enjoyed a pre-cocktail reception at Stuart Ellison's magnificent lakeside home. There, his sweetheart Linda Yu (while sporting a cast!) served Sylvia Perez, Nora Dunn, Frances Renk, Tracey
Tarantino, Mayari Pritzker and her Dave, Peach Carr, Chuck, me and others, delicious hors d'oeuvres before we departed for the main event. An "Uncle Sam" performance artist on stilts and a quartet of barbershop singers greeted arriving guests at the Driehaus estate.
Trolleys then whisked partygoers through this wonderland, dropping them off inside the 40 acre estate where cocktails on the expansive lawn allowed guests a chance to mix, mingle and admire
each other's patriotic attire. At exactly 6:30 pm, we heard trombones in the distance and, shortly, a marching band appeared around the bend….as it wound around, there was the birthday honoree sitting atop a vintage Cadillac convertible from his vast collection (see video here!). His family
appeared in other vintage automobiles, waving and smiling at the crowd. In years' past, Richard has entered the party atop an elephant dressed in a ringmaster's suit. No two birthday parties are ever the same and always feature a high-profile performer. For last year's
"Drive In" theme, comedian Jay Leno, also a rare car buff, was the headliner. This year's entertainment was none other than the BEACH BOYS! Richard came onstage (a dramatic main stage with "Yankee Doodle Driehaus" lit brightly in colored neon by Kehoe Designs) to introduce the band and to thank the crowd for attending. He said, "Bob Dylan warned 'don't trust anyone over 30.' But then he turned 31 and changed his tune. Tonight, we
celebrate the Spirit of '76. This revolutionary spirit is in each of us. It is innovative, adoptable, optimistic and charitable. From the lighthouse to the IPhone, America has a long history of revolutionary
inventions. Arguably, no country has shaped the manufacture and design of automobiles more than the U.S…Several examples of automotive innovation are here tonight. The 1903 Olds, Model R, was the first
mass produced car using the supplier system of manufacturing that exists to this day. The '34 Rooster featured avant-garde styling for new vehicles of the time. And the '41 Thunderbolt featured the first electrical, retractable hardtop. Finally, the '46 Town & Country used wood after WWII to jumpstart America's production." He closed with a quote. "George Burns said 'you can't help getting older but you don't have to
get old.' I couldn't agree more," he said. And Richard is living proof! The Beach Boys played all of their hits including a new one that had never been heard before, "An Ode to Betsy" about a much loved vintage car in a nod to
Richard's collection. Throughout the afternoon, a plane circled the grounds trailed by a "Spirit of 76" flag. We were on sensory overload! The evening culminated in the most spectacular fireworks display we'd ever seen. It lit up
the lake as well as the humongous American flag that covered the front of Richard and Inese's magnificent home. Earlier in the day, Chuck, Rooney and I took a boat tour and, as we approached the Driehaus estate, the guide said, "And now we're nearing the most magnificent home on the lake." Amen to that! Richard's philanthropic contributions are endless. In a
fascinating article about him and his estate in the summer edition of At The Lake Magazine, Anne Morrissey writes, "Listening to Driehaus speak about his love of historic preservation, it becomes clear that
he is inspired to leave pieces of history for future generations to appreciate, combining an appreciation for the past with a hope for the future." He leaves a trail of fun, optimism, inspiration and goodness wherever he goes. Thank you Richard for all you've done–you make the world a better, more exciting place for all of us.
Refinery29 celebrated the opening of "29Rooms Chicago: Turn It Into Art" on July 25, turning a warehouse on Hubbard Street into an artistic feast for the senses. The pop-up installations ranged from a ginormous typewriter (that guest/Empire
star Taraji Henson posed on) to a boxing gym emphasizing "women power" to an airbrushed "tattoo room" designed by singer Demi Lovato. Much like the Happy Place exhibit that was recently in town (and now extended to Sept.3!), this experience offered guests a chance to become the art. South Side artist Shani Crowe designed "Rest in Power, Rest in Peace," an anti-violence installation. She said, "Because I'm
from Chicago, of course, I know the impact violence has had on me living in the city. I've lost people to gun violence." In another room, the words "I Stand with Planned Parenthood" were lit up in
neon lights. Notable Chicago attendees included supermodel Emily Ratajkowski, Kelly Rowland, Henson and Mayer Emanuel along with Orange Is the New Black’s Taylor Schilling, Dascha Polanco and Kate Mulgrew who checked out the show’s activation "Identity is
Power." Chance the Rapper also stopped by and enjoyed a performance from dancers "The Era feat. I am Queen." "Turn It Into Art" taps into the transformative and healing power of creativity through its imaginative spirit and interactive funhouse style of culture and creativity. It's brought to life by a group of global artists and visionaries across mediums and powered by attendees! (See how it was first created in NYC here!) (Getty Images)
The Service Club of Chicago has done it again, pulling off another sold-out "Day on the Terrace" fashion show and luncheon at the Peninsula Hotel,breaking all past fundraising records! Held on July 30th, the "first look" at fall fashion was
designed as a tribute to one of its late members, Hazel Barr, a co-founder of the event (along with SC member Myra Reilly) who passed away recently. A toast was presented before the show by co-chair Jean Antoniou, who appeared onstage with her fellow co-chairs Sharyl Mackey and Yvette Cusack. Service Club president Tracey Tarantino
DiBuono (ZZAZZ Productions) produced the 45 minute show that featured looks from Alice+Olivia, Anne Fontaine, Bonobos, Contessa Bottega, Cram Fashion, Elda de la Rosa Couture, Eileen Fisher, L.K. Bennett, Max Mara and Maximilian Furs at Bloomingdale's, SYLWIA, Tom James and VMR Chicago. A dramatic finale presentation by Neiman
Marcus Michigan Avenue featured models in evening wear escorted by the Western Golf Association's Evans Scholars, a past grant recipient of the SC, that provides full housing and tuition scholarships to deserving caddies nationwide who have limited financial means. Models in the show were Service
Club members, local media personalities and SC supporters. They included CBS-2's Ryan Baker (who brought wild applause from the crowd when he danced down the runway), Michael Caputo, Susan Colletti, Phil Cooper, Sean Eshagy, Michael Kutza, Susan Gohl, D.C. and Alayna Crenshaw, Sheryl Dyer (SC vice-president), Rich Gamble, Kim Gleeson, Fox-32's Dawn Hasbrouck, Kathleen Henson, Darby Hills, Marci
Holzer, Sherry Lea Holson, Greg Hyder, Paul Iacono, Justin Jacobson, WBBM-TV's Rob Johnson and wife Stacey, Cheri Lawrence, Kristina McGrath and her twin Korinna Isselhardt, WGN-TV's Micah Materre, Cristina Montgomery, Silvia Muller, Mark Olley, Karen Peters, Kathy Piccone, Fox-32's Sylvia Perez, Shaun Rajah, Frances Renk, CBS-2's Irika Sargent,
Whitney Reynolds, NBC-5's Zoraida Sambolin, Robin Robinson, Andrea Schwartz, Laura Schwartz, Zak Stemer, Marc Sievers, Denise Tomasello, Dan Uslan, Sheree Schimmer Valukas, Mamie Walton, Sun-Times' Linda Yu, David Zivan and so many others! At times, it seemed like there were more
people on the runway than in the audience! The wall-to-wall crowd cheered every outfit/model and Hazel would've loved it! Her son Warren Barr III and daughter-in-law Holly Barr were in attendance. SC pres Tracey DiBuono spoke about the event and
Hazel's role in it. "This will be the first production without her and it is extremely bittersweet. This day has always had 'Hazel' written all over it and today, she is in our thoughts and hearts as we move forward with the traditions of excellence she
instilled in all of us…When the lights go down and the music begins, we know our Heavenly Hazel will be watching us, guiding us and here in spirit." At the end of the day, attendees enjoyed a packed goody bag as a take-home gift that included a custom branded SC lip gloss courtesy of The Gnome Colony (485 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn), a fabulous By:Fashionaholic gift certificate, Dr. Stacie McClane gift certificate for a facial, a Peninsula spa gift certificate and so many more! Over $135K was raised to support the organization's grant program that, last year, provided over $490,000 in much-needed goods to 62 deserving non-profits. (Photos by John Reilly Photography) Models' hair by Charles Ifergan Salon/ makeup by Torie Conn.(To see MORE pics, click here: Photo Gallery!)
Gus Giordano Dance School celebrated it’s 65th season with an event on July 26 in Andersonville. The first half of the event took place outside, in front of the school, with performances by The Gus Giordano Jazz Legacy Company, College/Pro Scholarship dancers and GG Company dancers. Following the
free-to-the-public performance, a private performance and reception took place inside the school. Mayor Emanuel and Alderman Patrick O’Connor were in attendance and have been very supportive of the organization. Mayor Emanuel said, "Gus Giordano is an institution that lives past his life and is a legacy for the city. And it’s a
great contribution to the cultural enrichment of the city and obviously the neighborhood of Andersonville.” (The Mayor has a long-standing personal connection to the school. As a teenager, he took dance classes from Gus!) The Gus Giordano Dance School is home to The Gus Giordano Jazz Legacy Foundation, which presented 23 dancers with scholarships during the month of July. They came from across the U.S. as
well as Mexico to attend the College/Pro Intensive. The Gus Giordano Jazz Legacy Foundation's mission is to spread the joy of jazz dance by providing scholarships to children, teens, college students, and pre-professionals. The Foundation also conducts outreach dance programs, leads master classes in Chicago Public Schools, provides jazz dance training for CPS teachers, and does performances across the city. Congrats to ALL!
We enjoyed a wonderful evening recently that included the feel-good film, Disney's "Christopher Robin" 
(read Flix & Feast film/dining critic Geoff Burton's spot-on review here!) and dinner at the fairly new (open 13 weeks) Pacific Standard Time Chicago, 141 W. Erie, 312.736.1778! The California-style fare was delicious and we loved seeing old friend Felipe Ospina at the head of house! Two small suggestions though–dim the lights sooner and stock some Mezza Corona Pinot Grigio! Lol! Read Phil Vettel's excellent review here!
For the first time in 25 years, professional tennis returned to Chicago. To celebrate the opening of the XS Tennis and Education Foundation—a non-profit on the South Side that provides a safe haven and funnels kids to college through tennis and academics– 
Sloane Stephens (2017 U.S. Open champ) headlined the World Team Tennis match on July 27. Notables in attendance included sports legend Billie Jean King, Stephens
(ranked #3 in the world/#1 in U.S. women's tennis), Jonathan Cheban ("Keeping Up with the Kardashians"), the Mayor, Valerie Jarrett, Tina Tchen, Les Coney, Liz Dozier and Toni Preckwinkle. Attendees enjoyed an array of dining options presented by Dineamic Hospitality Group (Prime & Provisions, Siena Tavern, Barrio and more). The event was sponsored by Oracle, Magellan and Mercedes Benz.
It was one "yappy" day for homeless dogs and cats as PAWS Chicago celebrated its 16th annual Beach Party at the Castaways, a unique yacht-inspired venue at North Avenue beach, on July 19. Everywhere you looked, dogs were lounging on the "pup
deck" wearing Hawaiian leis, colorful t-shirts, sailor hats and even an oversized straw boater, that was on Shari Duffy's Rottweiler Max! The event raised $330,000 to benefit PAWS life-saving programs for homeless pets including a brand new
reno/remodel of 20,000 square-feet of unfinished space that will double it's medical facilities. Against a gorgeous sunset, skyline and lake views, more than 500 guests partied, including 125 dogs who attended. A Paradise 4 Paws doggie spa offered pet massages,
splash pools, a grain-free buffet courtesy of Merrick Pet Care, "pawdicures" and more. The event was emceed for the ninth year by well-known animal champion, Lisa Dent (a radio personality on BIG 95.5), who owns two PAWS
rescues, Hank and Finn. PAWS founder Paula Fasseas introduced the annual Adoptable Animal Showcase, this year featuring 6 adorable dogs. All were adopted following the event except for one undergoing medical care. The event, presented by Surgi-Connect, was expertly co-chaired by Erica Kelly, Melissa Todd and Jeff Hall. Congrats to all! (Photos by Claire Demos, Rich Chen, Evan Cobb and Bridget Gatz).
The Chicago Sinfonietta's Associate Board will host Prelude 2018: We.The.People, a fundraiser for unity, on Mon., Sept. 24, at the Symphony Center. (Tickets: $40 reception/$85 reception & concert) available here: http://bit.ly/2LSu3KW.
Joy Yee Plus, a Chinatown hotspot managed by Peter Au, was recently featured on a Windy City Live segment. Take a look and get your spandex ready for the bubble waffle! (Click here to see video!)
Don't laugh. On Thursday, August 9, as part of the first annual Chicago Tribune's Food Bowl, I prepared my favorite fruit cobbler recipe from my beloved Mary Johnson (shown in photo on her 90th BD) with Eli's Cheesecake Company's pastry chef Laurel Boger. Other participants will include Jean Banchet Award-winner
Kelly Helgeson (she'll be preparing an apricot rum cake on Thurs. Aug. 16) and Roxana's Kitchen's Roxana Kayvani (who will be preparing a peach and plum saffron yogurt cake on Thurs., Aug. 23). So please join these talented chef on the respective dates at 10 AM on Eli's Patio, 6701 W. Forest Preserve Dr., Chicago, under the Big Top during the weekly Farmer's Market! (FREE!) (For all the Trib's Food Bowl deets, click here!) (I nailed it!)
You can now own one of the 48 stunning lighthouses that are lining North Michigan Ave that celebrate Chicago’s commitment to access and inclusion for people with disabilities. The were designed by local Chicago artists, many with disabilities themselves, and were recently featured on CBS Sunday Morning. These sculptures have compelling stories which will touch your heart and add beauty and inspiration to your home, office or community neighborhood. All proceeds from the auction will benefit programs at The Chicago Lighthouse serving people who are blind, visually impaired, disabled and veterans. See these works of art on North Michigan Avenue and surrounding areas until August 11. (Bidding begins 8/8 here: http://bit.ly/2MjIq75)
Chicago Gateway Green will partner with The Tie Bar to celebrate National Bow Tie Day on Tuesday, Aug. 28. A portion of the evening's proceeds will benefit CGG, AND there will be tickets available to this year's Green Tie Ball (on Sept. 14 at the Geraghty with REDFOO!) To RSVP for the Tie Bar, email michael.corrigan@thetiebar.com and for Green Tie Ball tickets, please click HERE!
I hope you will join me for the annual FLAIR fashion show/luncheon at the Loews Chicago on Tuesday, October 2. I'm thrilled and excited to be this year's honoree for an afternoon of fun, fashion and fundraising. The event will support children's and teen's programs at The Chicago Lighthouse–helping children and adolescents who may be blind, visually impaired or disabled meet developmental and educational milestones, build supportive relationships and fully participate in their communities. Fashions will include looks by Anne Fontaine, Contessa Bottega, Mira Couture, My Stylist at Macy's and wearNYLA! (For tickets, $175, and more info, click here!)
The Joffrey Ballet Women's Board will celebrate the world premiere of the passionate ballet Anna Karenina with an elegant luncheon and conversation surrounding the production on Wed., Sept. 26, at the Drake Hotel. For tickets, $225, and more info, click here!
Well, I can already smell fall in the air even though it's only August. It's pretty amazing how fast the summers fly by and how slowly winter drags on. I know Chuck, Rooney and I aren't ready to give up yet though! We 
just had a wonderful road-trip to Lake Geneva and the surrounding area and are already packing up for a trip to the Illinois State Fair! I've never been and it seems almost criminal to be a Midwest girl who has never even witnessed a tractor pull! And, after that, I am super-excited to return to my
hometown, Dupo, Illinois, for another "No Class Reunion" on Saturday, Sept. 22, expertly organized by fellow classmate Marsha Bieber English! Can't wait to play with old friends like Karen Lacroix, Paul Weber, Carolyn and Wade Teeter, Tommy Hundley and Rodney Lavender and see my sweet Aunt Lora Stott and cousins Cindy and Gregg Groce!
Hope you still have more fun summer plans too! Until next time!
Love always,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com
P.S. And, of course, something to leave you with a smile!
