Tag Archives: Fei Wang

September 19, 2012 · 9:44 am

CHICAGO’S RISING STARS HONORED BY FASHION GROUP INTERNATIONAL

…PLUS “A DAY IN THE COUNTRY” WITH THE HORSEY SET, BOTTLE & BOTTEGA’S WINNING COMBO, PAINTING THE TOWN PINK, EMERGE! AT NYFW, “COMPASSION, FASHION & COCKTAILS,” AKIRA’S SUBWAY FASHION SHOW, RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE’S FOODIE FUNDRAISER, STYLIST ERIC HIMEL IS ON A ROLL, A NEW WATCH312.COM VIDEO AND SO MUCH MORE!

The 8th Annual Rising Star Awards were presented by Fashion Group International of Chicago at the Hotel Sax on September 12th with our town’s most fashionables in attendance. It was a night of high spirits and high hopes as the nominees toasted each other with champagne and wished each other good luck. And in this case, it truly WAS an honor just to be nominated since we have so many accomplished and talented peeps in the Windy City. In the category of Accessories, nominees were Brynn Capella, Forme Millinery, Rachel Olesker and Toki Collection and Diego Rochas presented Forme Millinery with the beautiful, crystal Rising Star award. “Fashions have been a part of me since I was a little girl playing in my grandmother’s trunk. She was even a
milliner so it runs in my blood. It’s truly an honor to be recognized for my passion,” said owner Jenny Pfanenstiel. Ulta Beauty’s Carrie Lannon presented nominees in the Beauty category – Aaron’s Apothecary, Sonia Roselli The Makeup Studio, The Circle Salon (which was named by Elle magazine as one of the top 100 salons in the country), and Dirt, Erthe Beaute, LLC – and Aaron’s Apothecary won with owner Aaron Pietrykowski joking, “Who knew an apothecary could win a beauty award?” James Nyack (Baker Furniture) awarded Sean Michael Design with the award in the Interiors department (other nominees included INDO, inhabit and Meg Caswell) and winner Sean Michael had this to say: “The thing that makes me happiest and alive is to improve the lifestyle of my clients.” Nora Del Busto won in the Apparel category with stiff competition from Atelier Azza, C/FAN and Miriam Cecelia. (Presenter was Erica Strama.) Sarca’s Alexis Cozzini walked off with the crystal hardware (presented by Chicago magazine editor Beth Fenner) in the Retail category, where other nominees included 610 Home, Haberdash and Shop 857. I was thrilled to present the award for E-Commerce and loved everyone in the category that included Cheeky Chicago, Glossed & Found, Luxury Garage Sale and Trunk Club. All of these nominees took an idea from concept to reality with sheer determination and lots of innovation. Trunk Club, created by Brian Spaly, was created to solve a simple problem – guys hate to shop – and this online store provides a personalized, pain-free service to help guys look great with no hassles. The team has grown from four to 100 since 2009. Luxury Garage Sale was created by Brielle Buchberg and Lindsay Segal, childhood friends with a shared passion for collecting. LGS is the premier place for buying and selling new, gently used or vintage high-end women’s clothing, shoes, bags and accessories. It’s risk-free consignment plus they have a popular blog called “Off the Cuff.” Cheeky Chicago, created by Jessica Zweig and Erica Bethe Levin, is an online magazine catering to the “in the know” woman in Chicago. It covers EVERYTHING that you need to know about living in Chicago and is the ultimate key to the city. To screams of wild excitement, I opened the envelope to find Glossed & Found the winner. This online video magazine’s team is stellar and includes Beauty on Call founder Stacey Roney, Fig Media owner James Gustin and Emily Hard and beloved creative and editorial director, Graham Kostic. Their motto: “It’s beauty. It’s fashion. It’s fun.” The evening’s premier sponsor was bebe and other proud event sponsors included Chicago magazine, Peroni, Tito’s, Moet & Chandon, Classic Color and FORD Models. Congrats to ALL of the winners and nominees! (Additional photos by Steve Starr…click here for more pics!)

I’m not a part of the horsey set but I could quickly become addicted if the events were as delightful, charitable and as awe-inspiring as last weekend’s 4th Annual International Hunter Jumper Derby in Antioch, Illinois. Hosted by Chicago Equestrians for a Cause and sponsored by Canadian National Railroad, this event benefitted three charities – The Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, University of Chicago’s Cancer Research Foundation and the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association Foundation. It was a perfect day, with guests and organizers breathing a sigh of relief after the heavy rains the night before. I haven’t ridden since I was a little girl – my dad took home movies showing me riding ponies with my head bobbing so hard, it looked like I should’ve had a neck brace so I’m certainly no expert but I will say these horses were so beautiful that they took my breath away. The winner of the day, Jennifer Alfano, told me how she felt about her award-winning horse, Jersey Boy: “He loves to compete, he loves a challenge and I am so lucky to have him. He has a knack for these Derbies and just won the Derby Finals in Lexington, Kentucky.” Ten-year-old Jersey Boy – a big, athletic chestnut Hanoverian gelding – was recently named “High Performance Horse of the Year” and “Hunter Horse of the Year” and he and Jennifer both have won more awards than will fit into this space. Just to prove this point, Jennifer won first AND second place at this event also riding Helen Lenehan’s Dutch Warmblood mare Miss Lucy for a $50,000 purse! When I asked course designer Bobby Murphy if he had a favorite, he didn’t hesitate: Jersey Boy. There was so much to see, too! As you entered the beautiful, manicured grounds a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren gullwing was on view as well as a $250K motor home. A walk through the barn brought us face to face with more of these magnificent animals. Robert “Rush” Weeden, who owns Annali Farms (where the event was held on an old Steeplechase course) along with wife Caroline, said they have around 40 horses. I tried to envision growing up on a farm like this but even with my vivid imagination, I couldn’t conjure up a life this grand. It was truly something to see and, even if you didn’t understand the scoring or the judging, you could spot a winner when you saw one. Congrats to Jennifer and Jersey Boy – what a fabulous combination! And congrats to Chicago Equestrians for a Cause Founder Margaret Benjamin, who wears her passion for horses and her charities proudly on her sleeve! Hope you enjoy my Watch312.com video of this fabulous “Day in the Country” filmed by Alonzo Stallings and edited by Josh Orr with production assistants Matt Natale and Brieanna Cluchey.

http://player.ooyala.com/player.js?deepLinkEmbedCode=t2NTZ2NTr9FVUs_6NbgiaSGpMR072fVA&height=360&embedCode=t2NTZ2NTr9FVUs_6NbgiaSGpMR072fVA&video_pcode=h4bTAxOr07tTMKfe-w1HbzyTnrCy&width=640

Since its inception in March 2009, Bottle & Bottega has quickly become the city’s coolest, most popular alternative to a typical night out. Designed for those who think they can’t draw a stick figure, Bottle & Bottega walks you step by step through the creative process while you enjoy the ultimate catalyst to all creativity: WINE!!! I had never heard of Bottle & Bottega before even though they now have several locations across the city and have already expanded nationally, so clearly I’m in the minority here! This upstart franchise concept is thrilling Chicago as a BYOB wine and art party studio combined. “It’s a fun, unique alternative to a typical night out that’s great for friends, corporate groups and special events,” said founder Stephanie King-Myers. On this night, which was its grand opening party in the South Loop (“Have a H’Art”), Stephanie and co-owner Nancy Bigley celebrated their latest location at 1241 S. Michigan. Bottle & Bottega’s hands-on art sessions can focus on painting on canvas, creating a mosaic, wine glass painting, jewelry making, live models and more. This opening night also included a charity component with three celebrity artists painting for their favorite local charities. Stefanie Safran (Steph and the City) donated her talents for La Porte Hospital Foundation, Rochelle Vayo Adkinson ("Bring It Home") painted for the American Cancer Society and Karl Sponholtz (Design Star Season 6) donated his time to the Center on Halsted. Congrats Stephanie and Nancy! What a cool, new concept for a night out with friends! (Check out more pics here!)

It was the “Perfect Pink Night” for the cocktail reception and LaSalle Street Bridge lighting benefitting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation at Chicago Cut Steakhouse September 13th. In honor of the approaching Breast Cancer Awareness Month and as a kick-off for Komen’s Chicago’s 15th annual Race for the Cure, the LaSalle Street and Wells Street bridges were lighted pink on Thursday evening and will light up each night at sunset until September 22nd. The reception, held at ground level of Chicago Cut was hosted by Komen Chicago “Pink Tie Guy” Howard Bernick and co-chaired by Janet and Craig Duchossois and Jeffrey Aronin. Komen for the Cure Founder and CEO Nancy Brinker headed up an all-star committee that included Nancy and Steven Crown, Sabrina and Antonio Gracias, Aimee and Jim Grey, Leslie Hindman, Carol and Larry Levy, Martha and Rich Melman, Harriette and Ted Perlman, MK and JB Pritzker, Linda Johnson Rice, Cari and Michael Sacks, Marilyn and Rocky Wirtz and Heather and Beau Wrigley. Faces seen in the crowd included Leslie Hindman, Mary Lou Gorno, Crain’s Tracy Samantha Schmidt, Alex Sabbag, designer extraordinaire Derrick Taylor, Rodney and Andrea Herenton, Dr. Funmi Olopade, Jim Grey, Greg Jones, Andi and Jim Gordon, Catherine and Bill Perez, Ilan Shalit, Eric Brinker, Kiki Ryan and Linda and David Richter. Don't miss this weekend's Susan G. Komen Chicagoland Race for the Cure – for more info, please click here! (Photos by Richard Shay.)

One of the top emerging designer collective showcases during New York Fashion Week was founded AND produced by Chicago’s very own Dionne Williams. Now in its fourth season, “EMERGE! A Fashion Runway Show” recently showcased the Spring 2013 collections of an elite group of emerging designers from around the world. This highly-anticipated fashion event’s planners reviewed hundreds of designer submissions and selected the six best to showcase. They included actress India de Beaufort, (Ballyhoo); Franklin Rowe (Franklin Rowe International); Taneasha Prunty (Gidi Designs); Berny Martin (Catou Designs); Natasha Lazarovic (Temna Fialka), and Arefeh Mansouri (Arefeh Fashion). Held at the historic Broad Street Ballroom, Emerge! hosted an invitation only event with more than 400 guests that included celebrities, fashion insiders, media, retail buyers and tastemakers who came to see the newest trends and this year’s winning designers. Congrats to all involved on another successful Emerge! fashion show: Paul Mitchell Schools, Lamik Cosmetics, Aaron Handy, Iran “Bang” Paylor (Models, Inc), Adam Leffel Production and Polpat Klonghayan. For more info on this cool event that introduces new fashion talent to the world, please contact Dionne@dwilliamspr.com.

Nearly 500 affluent professionals, entrepreneurs, media, sports and entertainment personalities came together to celebrate “Compassion, Fashion and Cocktails.” This evening honored the arts and raised money for non-profits that included The Musical Arts Institute, Bin Donated (as seen on ABC’s “Secret Millionaire”) and St. Vincent’s de Paul Center & Marillac Social Center. This evening was co-chaired by Lema Khorshid, Sarah Noonan, Fei Wang and Sam Yanover. Hosts included Michael Brown, Tom Carroll, Diana Chen, Katie Freeman, David Friedman, Kim Runner, Diane Testa, Jessica Young and Doug O’Donahue. Focusing on a theme of pioneers in fashion, food and film, Frontier (located at 1072 N. Milwaukee) was transformed into a cutting edge fashion runway scene as guests took part in raffles and door prizes that included a Mexican vacation, signed sports memorabilia and lots more. During this celebration of food and fashion, musician and founder of The Musical Arts Institute Michael Manson provided a jazz performance with three of his talented students. A runway show featured designer Eva Franco’s fall collection while a film montage of classic black and white films played throughout the evening. Congrats to all participants including Aga Kaskiewicz, Mercedes Urquiza-Parrilli, Stephanie Bottigliero and Chef Vanessa Moses. (To view more photos, please click here!)

Who will be joining me for Ronald McDonald House Charities’ “Eat Global, Give Local” celebration at Carnivale Restaurant (located at 702 W. Fulton Market) on Wednesday, October 10th from 5:30 until 9 p.m.??!!! This party with a purpose will feature top chefs Brian Jupiter (Frontier Chicago), David Dworshak (Carnivale), Gregg Biggers (Café des Architectes), Dan Marquis (Quay), Justin White (SmallBar) and Jonathon Beatty (Davanti Enoteca). The evening will also include live music, a tequila tasting bar, wine stations, a mojito station and popular ActionBooth photos plus a raffle featuring items from each chef’s restaurant. For tickets, $125, please visit www.carnivalechicago.com/events. Hope to see YOU there!

In honor of its big 1-0, local fashion retailer AKIRA is upping the scope and scale of its annual style extravaganza with its 10th
Annual Fall Fashion Show themed Métropolitain. The event will benefit five local charities and is set for Sunday, September 23 at Grossinger City Autoplex, located at 1500 N. Dayton St. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the runway show will begin at 7 p.m.; the after-party at Japonais (located at 600 W. Chicago Ave.) kicks off at 9 p.m. See your daily commute reimagined in a runway presentation at AKIRA's garage-turned-subway station. The show will be hosted by Olivia Culpo (Miss USA 2012) and emceed by Kelli Zink (Celeb-TV). Later, shop the looks you loved at their one-night-only pop-up store – proceeds from this event will benefit Imerman Angels, Project Ladybug, Clara's House, the Human Rights Campaign and AKIRA's Fashion Scholarship Fund. Tickets, beginning at $25, are available in all AKIRA stores and online via Fanfueled here.

The Green Tie Ball, themed “Alice in Wonderland,” was held Saturday night at A. Finkl & Sons. Stay tuned for coverage coming Sunday in my Chicago Tribune column, on Watch312.com and coming soon to this website! More than 2,500 partygoers fell happily down the rabbit hole at this exciting event benefitting Chicago Gateway Green!

Congrats to celebrity stylist Eric Himel! His latest styling gig for Giuliana and Bill Rancic and new son Edward Duke was featured on the cover of Life & Style magazine! AND, speaking of the Green Tie Ball, Eric also styled rock artist and event deejay Pete Wentz in a cool bowtie and suit from SuitSupply. Congrats Eric!

Congrats are also in order for darling and very stylish Lynne Bredfeldt, the Park Hyatt’s PR director, for being selected as one of six executives from across the country to be a part of the 2012 fall fashion campaign for bebe and Marie Claire magazine’s “Styled for Success” feature! She was styled by Marie Claire fashion editor Zanna Roberts Rassi in LA for this fabulous photo! Love you, Lynne!

Thanks to Watch312.com producer Lydia Perez for including me in a segment of the upcoming reality show, Hard Core Pawn, shot at the Royal Pawn Shop on South Clark Street! I just love this name and everyone involved was so sweet! The concept was really cute, too! Look for this show coming in December – hope you like it!

Have a great week and I hope to see you here the next time! And please, don’t forget to email me with any event news or column suggestions. My mission is to keep you happy and informed on all things Windy City and beyond!

Love, as always,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com

P.S. Happy, happy birthday to my darling husband! He was cute then and he's even cuter now. Love you, Chuck!

THE WHITE PARTY GOES UNDERGROUND FOR ONE HOPE UNITED!

…PLUS SUPERMODEL & MICH MAG’S A SHORE THING, 50 & BEAUTIFUL, TALKCHIC, LOVE IS IN THE AIR, GAMING FOR GREEN, MISS FOSTER'S 'STELLABRATION,' UPCOMING EVENTS AND SO MUCH MORE!

Man-about-town Marco Foster was a man with a mission in his desire to create a successful fundraiser for One Hope United, an organization which is near and dear to his heart. On July 27th, his many friends and supporters came out in force to help Marco give back. Held at Underground, this annual event was also a celebration of Marco’s birthday with 100 percent of the proceeds going to this organization whose mission is to protect children and strengthen families in Chicago. Marco’s story is a remarkable one: After being diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2009 and having a successful surgery on Thanksgiving Day (appropriately) that same year, he has been a role model for giving back to numerous charity events throughout Chicago, especially to causes that have made a major impact on his life. Besides being an advocate for One Hope United, he also supports the American Brain Tumor Association, where he spreads the message of his experience and the importance of giving to charity. “It shouldn’t take a drastic event in one’s life to create change,” said Marco. “We all have the ability to be an instrument of change and I’m honored to have such support from the event’s co-hosts, the Underground, and the leadership from One Hope United to help pull this all off.” Co-hosts for the night included NBC multimedia journalist and five-time Emmy winner Marcus Riley, Akira Chicago owner Jon Cotay, WGN’s "Living Healthy Chicago" host Jane Monzures, PR industry pioneer and motivational speaker Chris Foltz and moi. Marco also founded the elite fashion networking group Chicago Models, as well as creating a popular social media following that is now used as a resource by hundreds in the fashion and modeling industry. Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, he has a passion for fashion and is, indeed, quite the bon vivant with an eye for style. By day, Foster is an IT guru managing the HelpDesk at Sargent & Lundy in the nuclear and fossil power plant industry. He’s a man of many talents but the ones he’s most proud of are of the charitable nature. One Hope United was founded as Chicago Baptist Orphanage in 1895 and Hudelson Baptist Children’s Home in 1903. In 1987, the two created a historic partnership evolving over the years to include foster care, clinical services and early childhood development. “I know what it’s like to get passed around from home to home and it�
�s not fun,” said Foster. And he should know since he was in foster care until the age of seven. It was a love-filled affair for a great cause hosted by a great guy! Congrats Marco and Happy Birthday – you are an inspiration! (Photos by Steve Starr and Mila Samokhina…check out more pics from this fun event here!)

Michigan Avenue Magazine and the Chicago Yacht Club presented "A Shore Thing" at Navy Pier on July 21st. The official viewing party for the Race to Mackinac provided guests with a front row seat for the Parade of Boats at this inaugural party hosted at the tip of Navy Pier by president/publisher Dan Uslan and editor-in-chief J.P. Anderson. With an assist from supermodel/reality star Joanna Krupa, this party celebrated the 104th race. Since 1898, sailors have embarked on the 333-mile race to Mackinac Island. This Chicago Yacht Club Race, presented by Veuve Clicquot, is the oldest and most prestigious freshwater sailing race attracting some of the world's best sailors. "The Mac" hosts 350 boats with approximately 3,500 sailors competing in this world-class sporting event. To view all the pics from this event, please click here!

More than 300 people converged on the legendary Drake Hotel for the fifth annual 50 & Beautiful Fashion Show, hosted by Cece & Melinda with Raymi Productions and Shaun Rajah of the Drake Hotel. “This event is about showing that beauty has no age, no race, no height or size restrictions and embracing and celebrating this fact,” said Melinda Joseph. “I am proud to be friends with these ladies. They are beautiful inside and out,” added Cece Gonzales. Fifty stylish women walked the catwalk in designs from Al Menotti, Regina Rice, Sujata Gazder, Fraley Le, Mark Roscoe and Andrea Gems. Models included Kathy O’Malley Piccone, Margaret O’Connor, Shea Vaughn, Denise Tomasello, Mable Buckner Payton, Rosemary Fanti, Kim Gleeson, Deborah Goodman, Ellen Wesley, Dorothy Whealan and Karen Williams. A reception followed in the Palm Court where guests enjoyed live entertainment by the Mike Walters Trio. (Hot DJ Madrid did the show music.) A portion of the proceeds benefitted A Silver Lining Foundation. Founded in 2002 by Dr. Sandy Goldberg, the mission of A Silver Lining is to ensure dignified, respectful and equal access to quality cancer education and services for all, by creating meaningful partnerships with community, advocacy and healthcare organizations. For more info on this organization, please visit www.asilverliningfoundation.org. (Photos by Steve Starr and Nick Pinto.)

TalkChic is up and running so it’s time to break out the champagne flutes for founders Nena Ivon, Jane Stewart and Linda Heister! This speaker’s bureau is a consortium of experts who offer an array of programs on lifestyle topics. A division of Stewart Talent, speakers include Bill Zwecker (entertainment insider), Hutton Wilkinson (Beverly Hills interior designer and master jeweler), Stanley Paul (maestro and master story teller), Bunky Cushing (party planner extraordinaire), Sherrill Bodine (best-selling romance novelist), Ina Pinkney (culinary master), Debra Mancoff (art and garden expert), Michael Anderson (world of ballet expert), Ron Falzone (award winning screenwriter), Jan Parr (publishing expert), Nena (fashion history) and moi (jack of all trades and master of none). For more info, please contact Nena at nena@talkchic.com or Linda at Linda@talkchic.com or call 312.572.6111.

Love is definitely in the air this summer with beautiful weddings happening all around us. Starting with the popular and much loved Heather Farley and her new husband Bruce Ingram, theirs was the stuff dreams are made of! More than 200 guests convened in Lake Geneva at Bonnie Deutsch’s historic, private home which was once owned by Art Institute founding father, Martin Ryerson. The ceremony was presided over by long-time friend Judge Mary Pat Burns, followed by a reception held on the grounds in a massive tent. Heather’s father wrote a “speech” for the happy couple that he sang to the crowd amid many tears of happiness. At dusk, the largest boat on Lake Geneva – The Lady of the Lake – docked to gather guests for dessert and dancing. A DJ played hot mixes and special guest Katarina played the electric violin. Heather and Bruce enjoyed their first dance – to “Hooked on a Feeling” – and danced the night away with guests who included Mamie Walton, Kristina and Mike McGrath, Sherrill and John Bodine, Toni and Rick Canada, Nina and Bob Mariano and Lynn and John McMahan. When the boat docked at 11 p.m., a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream cart capped off a perfect summer wedding on the lake. Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Ingram! (Photos by Caitlin Saville Collins.)

Another magical wedding was held in Lake Forest this past weekend uniting lovely Laura Nosko and Dr. Paul Steinwald. The First Presbyterian Church was filled to the rafters with guests excited to witness the union of these much loved and much IN love people. (Paul is the son of Dr. Os Steinwald, our brother-in-law). This church is so beautiful and it was only eclipsed by the bride and her lovely bridesmaids. The reception was held on the elegant grounds of Lake Forest Academy with the sit-down dinner for 250 held in the marble halls of the historic Armour House. There were many lovely speeches but a standout was Paul’s younger brother and best man, George, who admiringly called his brother “the DJ of life.” Guests in attendance included Meredith and Todd Burkitt, Ashley and Tom Margulis, Maureen and John Dugan, Susan and Antonio Mena, Nancy Steinwald, Amy Steinwald, Ann and Jim McNulty, Mary Louise Loeb, Lee Widhelm, Bruce and Ronnie Steinwald, Karen and John Nosko (parents of the bride), Mildred and John Nosko (grandparents of the bride), Christy Lukes, Beth Fioritto, Abbie Ferguson, Rachel Patel, Thomas Kelly, Chester Nakamura, Steven Vath, Miki Ferenczy, James Rooney, Richard Milone, Margie and Tom Ward and us. Congrats, Dr. and Mrs. Paul Steinwald! (Click here for more pics!)

Chicago Gateway Green, along with its sponsoring presenter and longtime Expressway Program Partner Horseshoe Casino, hosted their seventh annual Gaming for Green, a popular poker tournament and casino night held on July 12th at Galleria Marchetti. Hosted by Roe Conn and Richard Roeper of “Roe and Roeper” on WLS 890AM, the event raised $35,000 for Chicago Gateway Green’s Tree Partnership Program. This program is a large-scale volunteer tree planting initiative that transforms vacant land across
Chicago’s neighborhoods into tree-filled green spaces thereby improving Chicago’s neighborhoods. “Our Tree Partnership is a crucial part of the ongoing effort to green and beautify Chicago,” said Grant DePorter, chairman Gateway Green. Chaid Freid of Northbrook was the evening’s first-place winner and earned a Main Event Championship Seat at the World Series of Poker Circuit event in Las Vegas, a $10K value. Seen on the scene were former Chicago Bear Chris Zorich, NBC 5’s Natalie Martinez and NBC Executive Producer Matt Piacente, Sarah Cooley, Heather Korpella, John Fritchey and Joanna DePorter among others. For more info on Chicago Gateway Green, including details on the annual Green Tie Ball gala on Sept. 15th, please visit www.gatewaygreen.org or call 312.540.9930.

City Winery Chicago is hosting a preview party to benefit arts education non-profit Urban Gateways on Saturday, August 11th from 7 to 10 p.m. This fundraiser will be the public’s first chance to experience the new 33,000-square-foot wine, food and music venue in Chicago’s West Loop. (It officially opens on August 15th with five nights of performances by comedian Lewis Black.) Guests will be treated to complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres and live jazz and blues performances by Reginald Robinson and the 5th Element, and Eric Noden & Joe Falisko with special guest Katherine Davis. One hundred percent of proceeds will go to Urban Gateways. Michael Dorf, City Winery’s founder, first opened a City Winery location in NYC in 2008. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online or at the door. For more info, please click here!

Compassion, Fashion & Cocktails, a charity event celebrating pioneers in fashion, food and film will be held at Frontier, located at 1072 N. Milwaukee, on Thursday August 23rd, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Co-chaired by Lema Khorshid, Sarah Noonan, Fei Wang and Sam Yanover, the evening will honor the arts while raising money for the non-profits The Musical Art Institute, Bin Donated (as seen on ABC’s "Secret Millionaire") and St. Vincent de Paul Center & Marillac Social Center. Frontier will be transformed into a cutting-edge runway scene with fashions by designer Eva Franco and jazz performances from students of The Musical Arts Institute. A special menu will be presented by Chef Brian Jupiter. A cocktail reception from 6:30 to 8:30 will be hosted by Bombay Sapphire. Tickets are $40, $55 at the door. (All proceeds will go to the charities.) For info, please click here.

Bridal Wave, presented by Kenmore Craftsman, will premiere Saturday, August 4th. Join them live or online as some of the country’s most respected wedding experts share their secrets. If it has anything to do with getting married, they’ll be talking about it on Bridal Wave! Be a part of the audience at 233 W. Huron on Saturdays starting August 4th through September 29th at 10 a.m.!

Saw Denzel Washington's beautiful wife, Pauletta, at dinner at Bijan recently with makeup/style gurus Reggie Wells (Oprah’s longtime makeup artist) and George Fuller. Plans are in the works for a reality show about making everyday people on the street look fabulous with a makeover – I think the working title will be “Finding Fabulous.” These two guys could make Godzilla look great so I can't wait to see what they've cooked up!! Congrats and good luck!!!

On a sad note, I CANNOT believe I won’t be able to read Stella Foster’s column in the Sun-Times anymore!?!?!?! This wonderful reporter gave a voice to the voiceless, love to her friends and always, Always, ALWAYS told it like it is! On Saturday, Operation PUSH has proclaimed “Stella Foster Day” in Chicago at their headquarters at 930 E. 50th starting at 10 a.m. Her fans are legion and I can’t imagine the mail her paper must be receiving. And believe me, this is the first of many events that will be planned in her honor. I can’t wait to participate. “I am overwhelmed by the love and support from my readers and the dignitaries in this town,” said Miss Stella. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet! We love you, Stella!

Thanks to all of you for reading my little blogazine! I hope you enjoy it! Please send me any comments at Candace@CandidCandace.com – I want to keep you informed and entertained so please send me your suggestions! Thanks and hope you’re having a wonderful summer!

Love, as always,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com

P.S. What a thrill for Dr. Steven Stryker who, along with Dan Dalton, were Distinguished Visitors aboard the U.S.S. Stennis, a Navy aircraft carrier that’s being deployed to the Persian Gulf next month. So cool!!!