Fun in the SUN; TPAN's Dining Out for Life; PAMS Gala; Retrospect-a new vintage fashion adventure; OnWard at the American Writers Museum; Stanley Paul Foundation Gala; TRAPPED with Borris; Shall We Dance?; Pretty Powerful Women in Philanthropy; CECA's Spring Scholarship Ball; A rare bird; Videos and so much MORE!
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Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit benefiting pediatric
cancer research, attracted over 550 guests and raised $750,000 at its exciting 26th anniversary Bear Tie Ball themed “Candy Land” on March 2. Held at the UIC Forum in Chicago, the event was inspired by the whimsical world of the childhood favorite game and co-chaired by Kristine Farra and Michael Palumbo. The evening was a night filled with imagination and sweetness led by mistress of ceremonies Roz Varon, Emmy Award-winning journalist and cancer survivor. Bear Necessities’ founder Kathleen Casey recited a
letter she wrote for her late son “Bear”, the inspiration for the organization. Emily Crabtree, who has battled pediatric cancer for almost two decades (since she was 17), received the “Tribute to Courage” award. In addition, the William J. Casey Hope Award was presented to The Dalmazio Family of Tony’s Italian Deli & Subs and The Marino Family and Team at Marino Chrysler Jeep Dodge for their continuous support of Bear Necessities. The evening began with a reception where
Candy Land inspired cocktails such as gumdrop martinis and hors
d’oeuvres including mini pot pies and mac and cheese bites were served. Dinner was followed by a live auction and presentation of nine kid ambassadors who shared their Bear Hugs experiences. The gala concluded with
lively tunes from the multi-genre group, Front of House led by singer David Sherman. Guests left inspired to support the mission of ending pediatric cancer and giving hope to those who are affected by it. The Bear Tie Ball brought together
families, friends and supporters of Bear Necessities to celebrate the lives saved and medical breakthroughs made amidst another successful year. All funds raised will benefit pediatric cancer research grants through Bear Discoveries and memories
through Bear Hugs. The Bear Hugs Program supports cancer patients (ages 0 –19) and their immediate families that face the many challenges that accompany the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric cancer. Bear Necessities outreach serves both in-state and out-of-state children who are being treated at one of 16 Illinois-area hospitals with pediatric oncology departments. A Bear Hug is a customized
experience that brightens the life of a child going through cancer. The Bear Hugs Program also provides immediate family support for financial burden
and essential needs. Each year, Bear Necessities awards medical research grants nationwide to junior investigative researchers who make meaningful advancements and discoveries towards finding a cure and therapies for various types of pediatric cancer. (Photos by Mila Samokhina)
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As much as we love Chicago, it can be a nasty task master in the winter, so we welcome any chance to spend some time in the sun. This year, we finally made it back to our favorite
warm weather destination, Florida, for some much needed time with friends in a much more forgiving climate. The moment the sun hits
your face, it feels like you've been touched by an angel. Our first stop in Palm Beach was to one of our favorite spots, Maven (in the former Nick & Johnny's location at 207 Royal Poinciana Way). We loved their menu and the outdoor dining location couldn't be sweeter. The plane trip was a little challenging as Rooney seems to be getting a little antsier in his old age–he
turned 14 while we were there but that's another story for later. We love Palm Beach–the elegance, the perfectly manicured hedges and so much more. Our friend Leslie Hindman is a star there and it was
fun basking in her glow everywhere we went. Her home, a half block from the ocean, should be in Architectural Digest it's so chic! Another friend, Kim Renk Dryer, is also uber-connected, so we had a full dance card while we were there. We had a chance to visit two very exclusive clubs–the first was the Palm Beach Bath & Tennis Club (1170 S.
Ocean) (known affectionately as the B & T to locals). The beautiful club took our breath away with its old world elegance and is considered one of the finest private beach clubs in the world. According to founder Mrs. E. F. Hutton, born Marjorie Merriweather Post. "It is the first cabana club in this country." Located on nearly 500 feet of palm-
shaded oceanfront on the Atlantic, the club was built in 1924 adjacent to Hutton's Mar-a-Lago estate, both designed by architect Joseph Urban. The Friday night BBQ was divine. Every table near the beach was filled and the buffet was lavish and delicious. The artwork was, as you can imagine, outstanding and fine, especially the beautiful portrait of its patron MMP overlooking the entrance. Another
real treat was visiting another private club, Club-Colette (215 Peruvian Ave.) where Leslie is a much loved member. The club has
a very interesting history. According to Palm Beach Post writer Joe Forzano, the “Colette” behind Club Colette was Colette Henry, a petite Frenchwoman known as “Mademoiselle Colette,” who presided over a tony beauty salon and restaurant just a block from busy Worth Avenue in Palm Beach. She had been a freedom fighter in the French underground during World War II, hiding French soldiers and helping Jews reach the Swiss border to escape. Caught by the Nazis, she was
incarcerated near the Adriatic Sea for almost a year before escaping. She came to the
United States in 1947, first to New York. Her father had
operated a small restaurant in France and she had helped him. She had wanted to become a teacher, but when her older sister became a hairdresser she followed the same career. She had worked as a hairdresser in Paris and on the Riviera. Her uncle Henry managed the Cartier shop in Palm Beach,
so she moved to Florida and in 1949, opened her first shop on Peruvian Avenue. After discovering that her salon customers couldn't resist her homemade French goodies, she opened Club Colette in 1964 with money borrowed from friends. The private club attracted names such as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, the Phippses and
Kennedys. Membership is exclusive; potential diners have to be recommended by a member. In 1982, she sold the club to Aldo Gucci. The club is intimate, charming, elegant and cozy with low
ceilings, perfect lighting and a beautiful long mahogany bar. On the night we went, every table was filled despite the torrential downpour raging outside. Chuck, Rooney and I also loved strolling down Worth Avenue and visiting all of the charming side streets (known as vias) where delightful surprises and shops await. I particularly loved the perfectly curated AERIN
boutique, located at 33 Via Mizner and owned by Aerin Lauder. It is small but contains the most exquisite one-of-a-kind treasures and fashions. Another favorite is Henemader's, a jewel box filled with natural finds at 316 S. County Road. Tony Duquette would LOVE it! And, 
of course, another favorite and my go-to-source for capri pants, Palm Produce Resortwear (located at 217 Royal Poinciana Way). Sequin, one of my favorite costume jewelry/accessories stores, has two beautiful locations (one at 219 Worth Ave, right next to Ta Boo and another at 330 S. County Rd.) And there are so many dining options but, sadly, we didn't
have time to make them all. We loved Sant Ambroeus, a gorgeously appointed Italian restaurant located in Royal Poinciana Plaza. We will definitely go back to this one! After spending an amazing time in PB, we moved on to South Beach and Fisher Island. For the first time, we took the leisurely drive down A1A
along the ocean and avoided the expressway. We had a convertible which made this drive even more magical as we drove past magnificent mansions (a peek beyond the hedges so to speak) that included estates once owned by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, (El Solano), the Kennedys (La Guerida), Estee Lauder, Henry Kravis, Steve Wynn, Dr. Mehmet Oz,
prolific author James Patterson and so many more. We stayed on Fisher Island as guests of Jan Melk, a longtime friend, who is busier now than she's ever been. On the night we arrived, she was hosting a reception for a new theater company where she's
recently become a board member. They performed "Antigone" in her dramatic living room before a crowd of 50 who were in awe of her elegant new home. On the first night there, we enjoyed dinner with friends Ken Norgan and Pepe Conforme, along with Jan, at Le Sirenuse at the Surf Club in Surfside. (9011 Collins Ave.) The restaurant and grounds are spectacular with old world charm mixed with a contemporary vibe. The combination was spectacular with soaring ceilings,
dramatic lighting and intimate dining seating. We loved everything about it, including the exceptional menu where everything was made from scratch. Delish! We also loved Estiatorio Milos, a fine Greek restaurant located at 730 1st Street (south of Fifth). This elegant seafood spot is where Rooney Rules celebrated his 14th birthday. I loved the fact that they didn't mind having dogs inside the restaurant as 
opposed to only allowing them on the patio. One spot that you can avoid in South Beach, however, is Mira Five Stars (located at 801 S. Pointe Dr.) It should be called Mira TWO Stars….despite the beautiful decor, the service was spotty and the food was nothing to write home about. It was also very odd that on a Saturday night in a prime location (a block from Joe's Stone Crab), there were
only five tables filled. The oddest thing was that no one there seemed to care either. The hostess did double duty fileting fish (and not very well as they were loaded with bones). It was a weird night (although with delightful company, Ken, Pepe, Adam Vitale and Matt Olaveson) but we definitely won't be going back to this one. As always, we hated to leave and the trip to the airport made us rethink our roadtrips here, definitely much less stressful. There were 3 gate changes, each miles apart, before we ever boarded the plane back to Chiberia! Until next time, love and thanks to Leslie and Jan for making our trip so memorable!
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I was honored to co-host the first annual Pretty Powerful Women in Philanthropy event at Steak 48 with the fabulous Kathleen Kenehan Henson. Through her dynamic PR agency H5, the planning for this first time event was a labor of love that celebrated Chicago's most
charitable women. Over 100 ladies came together at this tribute to philanthropy and included Dorri McWhorter, Myra Reilly, Heather Owen, Kathleen Casey, Maureen Schulman, Dr. Sandy Goldberg, Laura Schwartz, Mimi Plauche, Rochelle
Trotter, Diane Hollingsworth, Simona Garcia, Vonita Reescer, Chaz Ebert, Sonia Evans, Ellie Forman, Charlene Lieber, Sheri Whitko, Maria Pinto, Mary Becker, Gina Pusateri, Michelle Ohlhaber, Gina Altieri, Virginia Bobbins, Eleni Bousis, Pam Capitanini, Saudia Davis, Alison Ruble, Rebecca Darr, Liz Sharp, Essence Smith,
Ashley Howard, Lara Melnik, Susan Goodenow, Jamie-Clare Flaherty, Joycelyn Winnecke, Susanna Homan, Brenda Arelano, Courtney Krupa, Kristina Farra, Chaz Ebert, Jackie
O'Connor, Vivian Teng, Susan Ahern, Nancy Gianni, Brenda Wolf, Eve Montoya, Celena Roldan, Virginia McGathey, Amy Carr and so many others. Collectively, the women in the room have raised a whopping $200 million for charities in Chicago. Every guest was gifted with an inspirational book written by Carol Lavin
Bernick, "Gather As You Go," a book whose sales benefit her nonprofit, Enchanted Backpack, that serves under-resourced elementary and middle school students and child-focused organizations in the Chicagoland area.
We salute ALL of these Pretty Powerful Women! Special thanks to Jeff Mastro (owner/partner Steak 48) and Oliver Badgio (chief brand officer) for their ongoing commitment to giving back to the community! (Thanks to Mila Samokhina for the wonderful photos!)
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It was a thrill to return for the 3rd year to the PAMS (Polish American Medical Society) Gala at the Ritz Carlton on February 16 as a co-host, this year with
journalist Zbigniew Banas. The 68th annual Physicians Ball raised funds for scholarships for medical education and grants for outstanding community or charity organizations. This year's charity recipient was WICI
Song and Dance Company, founded by Magdalena Solarz. Chaired by Dr. Marek Rudnicki (PAMS president), the event attracted over 350 guests and featured entertainment by Michal Szpak, a multiple award winner who is a popular artist throughout Europe. The KS Bronek Sports Award was given to Dr. Halina Aniol and Dr. Bronislaw Orawiec. Dr. Rudnicki
introduced guest of honor, Dr. Piotr Chomczynski, a specialist and pioneer in the field of molecular biology. A special surprise was awarded to Dr. Kornelia Krol, past
president and event chair for PAMS, by the Consul General of Poland, the honorable Piotr Janicki. Dr. Krol was pinned with the Knight's Cross, Order of Merit, one of Poland's highest honors. The evening concluded with elegant black-tie clad guests dancing the beloved Polonaise with WICI dancers and to the TC Squared Band.
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Mark your calendars! TPAN will present Dining Out for Life on Thursday, April 25! Last year, more than 60 restaurants took part in the event benefiting TPAN, one of 
the city's longest-running non-profit healthcare and HIV services organizations. This one-night-only event started in 1990 and is held in dozens of cities throughout the United States and Canada, but the funds raised in Chicago, stays in Chicago. To find out how you can participate/help, please register online at www.tpan.com/diningout. (I'm proud to be a host member and hope you will consider being one too!
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Exciting news coming for lovers of vintage fashion! Sally 
Schwartz, founder of Image Pilots and the much loved Randolph Street Market, will introduce a new venture, RETROSPECT | vintage modern fashion chicago, on Friday, May 3 and Saturday,
May 4. This high-end fashion expo will be held at 2260 South Grove Street on the Chicago River just west of Museum Campus and Chinatown. Directed by two curators, one from Los Angeles and one based on the East Coast (New York City and Europe) who are hand picking the FIFTY fabulous dealers, the event will feature the best clothing for women and men, jewelry, handbags, shoes, wearable accessories, textiles and
notions from the 1890s to 1990s. This uber-exciting event will cater to the discriminating Chicago collectors and vintage fashion enthusiasts. The Evening Benefit for the Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum will be held on Friday, May 3 at the expo venue (2260 S. Grove St.) from 5 – 7 pm. It will feature a fashion show produced by RETROSPECT’S ambassador historian and emcee, Nena Ivon with an open bar, live music, bubbles, hors d'oeuvres and free parking. Chicago's vintage loving Influencers will be wearing their own vintage looks augmented with picks from the unique participating vendors. Tickets are $50 online and $60 at the door. And wait there is more! The legendary Music Box Theatre is
partnering with RETROSPECT on Thursday, May 2 to present a screening of the perfect fashion film, FUNNY FACE, starring Fred Astaire, with his one of a kind style, and Audrey Hepburn, wearing a wardrobe by Hubert de Givenchy. Pure glamour, pure Hollywood and a perfect accompaniment to this new vintage market! Tickets are $11 thru the Music Box website and includes panel discussion and photo opps. The general admission shopping party (on
Friday night from 7-10 pm) is $20 online/ $25 at the door. All day Saturday shopping (10 am to 6 pm) is $10 online/$12 at the door. Chicago is eager for a new adventure in vintage and RETROSPECT| vintage modern fashion chicago is that adventure! The event is sponsored by Leslie Hindman Auctioneers with their Director of Luxury Accessories and Couture, Timothy Long, media partners Modern Luxury/CS and Michigan Avenue Magazine and Luxe Blooms. For further info, contact retrospect@imagepiolets.com and/or visit www.retrospectchicago.com. (Instagram is retrospectchicago). Also, mark your calendars for the next Fall RETROSPECT event coming November and 1 and 2. _________________________________________________________________________
OnWord, the American Writers Museum's inaugural benefit dinner will take place on April 9 at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. There, guests will get a first look at some of the typewriters that will be featured in Tools of the Trade in a special, one-night-only pop-up exhibit. Steve Soboroff will be at the event to display his collection and tell the stories behind the typewriters. This new exhibit, which opens June 22, will feature typewriters and other writing
instruments used by renowned American writers like Sandra Cisneros, Gwendolyn Brooks, Ray Bradbury and others, including more than a dozen typewriters on loan from the impressive collection of Soboroff. These represent a broad range of styles, from Ernest Hemingway's 1926
portable Underwood to Maya Angelou's electric Adler Meteor from 1980. Peter Sagal, host of NPR’s hit show Wait, Wait…Don't Tell Me! will be the gala emcee as AWM celebrates the many contributions of leaders in the national writing community. Award-winning authors A. Scott Berg, Rebecca Makkai, and Marie Arana will be featured in the awards ceremony. AWM founder Malcolm O’Hagan will present the Cultural and Civic Leader Award to Edward J. Wehmer, president and CEO, Wintrust Financial. (Tickets/more info here!)
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Congrats to this year's Stanley Paul-Raelene Mittelman honoree Vonita Reescer!
Vonita will be honored for her many years of dedication to community service and her love of Chicago. The event will be held at the Casino on Wednesday, May 1. The Foundation, established in 1990 by band leader extraordinaire Stanley Paul, honors the memory of Stanley's beloved sister, Raelene, a fashion enthusiast with a strong desire to support the education of fashion students. Since the organization's inception, it has awarded more than $300,000 in college scholarships to fashion design students in the Chicagoland area. For tickets and more info, call 312.836.1041. We'll see you there!
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Fashion designer Borris Powell is ready for shock and awe at his next (and always exciting) fashion show, this year themed TRAPPED, coming March 24 to the Drake Hotel. Borris will present a collection featuring all-season women's and men's clothing in an event produced by North Shore Weddings & Events, with
music by DJ Madrid Perry and Lui Sito, hair by Nevsy Zee (Custom Hair Salon), make-up by Kim Tee of GoBourgeoisorgohome and set design by Ramsey J. Prince. There will also be cocktails and a raffle with prizes from Leah Chavie Skin Care Boutique and MovementMed. (For tickets and more info, click here!)
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The Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum will present "Shall We Dance," the opening night gala of its latest exhibition, "Silver Screen to Mainstream: American Fashion in the 1930s and 40s" on Friday, April 5. The Hollywood and ballroom dance inspired evening will feature a champagne reception with silent auction, exhibition viewing, an elegant dinner and dancing to the tunes of Michael Lerich and His Orchestra (who played at our wedding!). For tickets/more info, click here!
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Please save-the-date, Sunday, April 28 for the Catering Executives Club of America's 
annual Spring Scholarship Ball at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. I'm proud to be an Impact Award recipient alongside these amazing women–Lanie Hartman and Julie Roth Novack! For tickets and more info, please click here!
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Wow! I wish I could add this one to my birder's journal! An extremely rare cardinal has birders and biologists flocking to Shelby County, Alabama this week, as images of a yellow cardinal have circulated around social media. Auburn University biology professor Geoffrey Hill said the cardinal in the photos is an adult male in the same species as the common red cardinal, but carries a genetic mutation that causes what would normally be brilliant red feathers to be bright yellow instead. (Read full story here and see video below)
That's it for this week! I hope you've enjoyed the latest edition. If you have news you 
would like to share, please send it along and, if not a subscriber, please join in the fun and sign up here!
Love, as always,
Candace
P.S. I love it when he falls over…he wants to be friends so badly…..
Always love Candid Candace!
Thanks so much Bill! You are one supportive friend!