Tag Archives: Grey Goose

THE SERVICE CLUB’S 8TH ANNUAL FASHION SHOW IS BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER!

…PLUS CHEFS & THE CITY HIGHLIGHTS, COOPER TAKES CHARGE, A WHOLE BLU WORLD, IADT’S IMAGINE ’12 FASHION SHOW, OLYMPIC NEWS, STELLA’S LATEST HONORS, BIRTHDAYS GALORE, A VERY SPECIAL NECKLACE, CHICAGO TRIBUNE’S GIFT TO READERS, A NEW WATCH312.COM VIDEO AND SO MUCH MORE!
 
Blog 1 - Event chairs Hazel Barr, Tracey DiBuono, Saira Cooper and Jean AntoniouThis event has been a longtime labor of love for this year’s Chair Emeritus and event founder Hazel Barr, who, along with co-chairs Jean Antoniou, Saira Cooper and Tracey Blog 2 - Karen Peters, Miss Illinois Ashley Hooks, Tiffany Marshall, Monika Dixon and Mary Pat BurnsDiBuono (Tarantino), planned a fashion extravaganza July 30th that was a sell out with more than 260 guests. The perfect summer day started on the Peninsula terrace. Blog 3 - Wendy Krimins and Ann WallaceAnd with the Hancock building looming in the background, guests mingled and enjoyed champagne and hors d’oeuvres while anxiously awaiting the start of the show. Since I was Blog 4 - Rich Varnes, show producer co-chair Tracey Tarantino and Greg Hydermodeling, I got there early for rehearsals which is always great fun with all of the ladies in high spirits and excited about spending the day with their friends. The Grand Ballroom was bathed Blog 4 - Tina Weller, Dr. Julius Few, Miss Illinois Ashley Hooksin a sea of pink and themed “C’est Magnifique.” Images of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe were projected on the walls with a pink runway waiting for models who included Blog 5 - Co-chair Jean Antoniou and the Peninsula GM Maria ZecService Club members along with other local celebrities. Tracey Tarantino, as always, expertly produced the show even adding original French street music and remixed French pop music. This year’s runway collections featured fall fashions from top Blog 6 - SC Prez Vonita Reescer with Abe and Angela Thompsonretailers that included Escada (Mary Pat Burns wore my favorite outfit of the day: a feathered coat dress over a strapless dress – exquisite!), Intermix, Starr Couture and Blog 7 - Bunky CushingNeopolitan. Laurie Davis’ Lulu’s at the Belle Kay provided vintage splendor for a show that had something for everyone. The men’s fashions were provided by Burdi and Tom James with an exciting finale inspired by the Olympics from Ralph Lauren Polo that featured Blog 8 - Larissa Kronfeld and friendsmodels waving American flags on their runway walks. Other highlights included an exciting evening gown and fur segment from the always popular, long-time supporter, Neiman Marcus, and Stuart Weitzman, whose shoe Blog 9 - Chilli Peppersegment had women clamoring for more! Baton Show Lounge performer Chilli Pepper was a crowd pleaser in her own black mini-dress topped with an eye-popping red cropped fur Blog 10 - Felicia Winiecki, Diana Palomar, Lynn McMahanjacket. (Neiman’s gowns are breathtaking and I was honored to wear one by designer Robin Singer.) Models included Dan Uslan, Skip Grisham, Rich Gamble, Bunky Cushing, Stanley Blog 11 - Monika Dixon and SC President Vonita ReescerPaul, DC Crenshaw, Dr. Julius Few, Greg Hyder, Rich Varnes, Elizabeth Brodsky, Mamie Walton, Karen Peters, Kelly Drury, Larissa Kronfeld, Matt Lee, John Carroll, Scott Bobek, Blog 11 - Nina Mariano and Jan FlanaganRino Burdi, Jean Antoniou, Kim Gleeson, Lynn McMahan, Toni Canada, Gale Gottlieb, Abe Thompson, Rich Gamble, Mary Lasky, Sheila O’Grady, Saira Cooper, Tina Weller, Blog 12 - Katie McLenaghan and Jennifer SuttonSherren Leigh, Susanna Negovan, Kip Lewis, Robin Robinson, Amy Wimer, Miss Illinois Ashley Hooks, Mary Ann Childers, and more. (Photography by Mila Samokhina and Steve Starr…please click here to view more pics!)

 

Finally, the PAWS Beach Party is ready for your viewing pleasure! Since we are upgrading our network, this has taken a little longer than usual. Hope you enjoy this darling segment about the pets and the people who love them!

Blog 1 - Bill Lasche, co-chair Amanda Puck (R) and glam friendChefs & the City is always a much-loved and highly-supported event at the Ritz-Carlton benefitting Vital Bridges Chronic Care Center and for its eighth annual event in the Grand Ballroom, more than 30 top chefs Blog 2 - Chef Chair Ryan Pitts and his RL Restaurant crewdonated their time and fabulous samplings for a delectable evening of food for a cause! Beginning with a VIP Reception, guests sipped Grey Goose cocktails and beverages provided by Magic Hat, enjoyed tunes from DJ Megan Taylor and snapped Blog 3 - Handsome Chris Sofka (2nd from R) with his mom, sis and cute friendphotos in the Magbooth provided by Magnolia Photo Booth Co. Savory fare was prepared by 24 top chefs who included Ryan Pitts Blog 4 - Helen Melchior, Chuck, Paul Iacono, and Ken Norgan(from RL who was also the Chef Chair), Heather Terhune (Sable), Chris Pandel (The Bristol), Carl Shelton (BOKA), Giuseppe Tentori (GT Fish & Oyster), Patricio Sandoval (Mercadito), Tony Priolo (Piccolo Sogno), Doug Psaltis (RPM Italian), Roger Blog 5 - Chefs & the City after-party fun!Herring (Socca), Greg Bastien (Tavernita), Michael Garbin (Union League Club), Chuck Kazmer (Deca), Shawn McClain (Green Zebra), Blog 7 - The cutest & nicest brother-sister duo in town, Sanjay and Natasha SharmaJerome Bacle (Courtright’s), Paul Virant (Perennial Virant/Vie), Andy Motto (Quince) and Jonathan Gorecki (Karyn’s on Green) among many others. Honorary chairs for the event were Rich Varnes, Amanda Puck and Jason Dohmann. The evening also featured an amazing raffle that included a weekend in Harbor Country, a week in Puerto Blog 6 - Todd Hatoff, Alan Harder and glam friendVallarta, tickets to Chicago Gourmet, a C.D. Peacock necklace and so much more! The tastings were out of this world: Some of my highlights were Chef Jerome Bacle’s tomato gazpacho, Chef Tony Priolo’s seafood salad,
John Walcher and friendChef Michael Garbin’s short rib sliders, Chef Stephen Henry’s heirloom tomato burrata with fresh basil and Chef Adam Grandt’s crispy pork bellies with tomato jam. Vital Bridges President/CEO Debbie Hinde, presented RL Restaurant and Gibsons Restaurant Group with the Robert S. Mayo Extra Helping Award which was accepted by RL GM Rich Varnes and Chef Pitts. The dance floor Blog 9 - America’s Dog was there for the after-party fun!filled for the after-party as DJ Taylor jammed with drummer Michael Riendeau. Guests in attendance included Todd Hatoff, Mark Smithe, Joli Burrell, Jessica Zweig and Brian Fisher, Leslie Hindman’s John Walcher Blog 10 - Alli Cortes and Terrence Chappell(who did the auctioneering), Alan Harder, Lorin Adolph, Sanjay and Natasha Sharma, Chuck Benya, Tina Weller and Dr. Jeff Weller, Bill Lasche, Helen Melchior, Ken Norgan, Paul Iacono and Elizabeth Brodsky. For this portion of the evening, food choices included a hot dog cart from America’s Dog, Swirlz cupcakes, Vosges chocolates and Jake Melnick’s hamburgers. More than $100,000 was raised to Blog 11support Vital Bridges Center on Chronic Care, which helps low-income people living with AIDS rebuild their health and lives Blog 12 - Peck’s Bad Boys!by providing food and nutrition services, housing and counseling. Revenue from Chefs & the City will underwrite food for more than 30,000 meals and 1,200 nights of housing. (To see more pics and my complete Chicago Tribune Sunday coverage, please click here!)

 
Blog 1 - Co-chairs Janet Barnes and Ashley WeinzweigIt was a whole BLU world of fundraising when co-chairs Janet Barnes and Ashley Weinzweig welcomed a record 1,200 guests to a sold-out lakeside soiree at the Shedd Aquarium for the sixth annual Auxiliary Board fundraiser, Blog 2 - Gorgeous view in the Windy City from the SheddBLU! Raising more than $266,000 to support Shedd’s conservation and education initiatives, Shedd’s sultry summer evening benefit was filled with the sounds of tinkling cocktail glasses and local performers who included Detour JazFunk, Diver, Ami Moss & The Unfortunate and DJ Zebo. Blog 3 - Leadership Committee Jack Hammond, Susie Gura, GP Searle, Ashley Weinzweig, Claudine Tambuatco, Janet Barnes, Katelyn Danielski, John Hennegan, David TraceAgainst a backdrop of the Chicago skyline with fireworks popping over Lake Michigan, this event is always a sellout and a very Blog 4 - Glam guests in the Diet-Coke Pop-up Loungepopular summer social event! “The combining of exotic food and wine tastings with the glittering Chicago skyline made for an unforgettable night to come together in support of the Shedd,” said Barnes. Attendees enjoyed an array of mouthwatering dishes throughout the evening such as Big Fish Farms’ sustainable Blog 5 - SmileAmerican paddlefish caviar (a staple at any Shedd event), summer garden rolls from Sunda, walleye tacos with tomato jalapeno chutney from Dirk’s Fish & Gourmet Shop and peeky toe crab Blog 6 - Detour JazFunkcannoli from The Florentine. The planet-friendly event also featured a delectable dish from Sweetspring Salmon – the only sustainably-farmed salmon in the world, signs that were made from recycled materials or will be reused for other Shedd events and compostable plates and silverware. “This is the most successful BLU in the event’s history,” said Weinzweig. “From dollars raised to people in attendance – even down to how much fun everyone had!” To cap off an already enjoyable evening, trolleys shuttled guests between Shedd and Underground for the after-party. (For more pics, please click here!)
 
127434-250One of the city’s hottest fashion showcases is set to take place at the UIC Forum Stage on Friday, September 21st at 8 p.m. when students from The International Academy of Design & Technology host 127450-250Imagine ’12. Emceed by Jane Monzures of Loop FM’s morning show and host of "Living Healthy" on WGN, this student-produced exhibition will showcase an impressive array of 127449-250garments by 44 student designers and the production talents of IADT’s students, in addition to highlighting unique programs at the school. Join designer Borris Powell, Michelle Tan, Suzanne Kopulos, Mallory Ulaszek, Rebecca Taras, Horacio Nieto, Tonya Pierce, Fraley Le, LaTonya Williams and Katie Schuppler, among many others, for a night of fashion and inspiration! For tickets ($15 for students and $25 for general admission) and more info, please call 312.980.9295 or email imagine@iadtchicago.com.
 
Vicky BaftiriW.I.N.E. (Women in Entertainment) TV profiles a journalist and producer who is doing it ALL – Vicky Baftiri. As an Emmy-winning journalist and National Association of Black Journalist “Salute to Excellence” Sheila Henley Pres. Founder WINE TVnominee, Vicky’s producing credits include the NBC nationally syndicated “Open House” and special news reports for WGN-TV. W.I.N.E. TV creator Sheila Henley says, “I’m so excit
ed for her to share her experiences and I hope it inspires young women everywhere to write, edit and produce!” Congrats, Vicky and Sheila!

 
Blog 1 - Ruth RileyOlympian Ruth Riley, who won gold as a member of the undefeated 2004 USA women’s basketball team in Athens, hosted an Opening Ceremony viewing party at Rockit Bar & Grill. Prior to her party, she spent the afternoon as the Blog 2 - Kerry and Sally Shorrguest of the British Consulate in Chicago watching a live feed of the Opening Ceremonies. The viewing was held at the residence of Her Majesty’s Consul General, Robert Chatterson Dickson with citizens of Great Britain, members of the Mayor’s office and other guests in attendance. Ruth is currently a member of the WNBA basketball team, the Chicago Sky. Selected by ESPN as one of only three Blog 3 - Leeann Trotter with Consul General, Robert Chatterson Dickson, Ruth Rileyformer Olympians to be given a Flip cam, she recorded interviews from both viewing parties with Blog 4 - Chicago Sky Head Coach Pokey Chatman with fans Sloane, Ally, Harperportions from each to be used as vignettes during telecasts. Meet Ruth and her teammates in person when they appear at a fundraiser for Nothing But Nets sponsored by Amazing Blog 5 - Sylvia Fowels and Swin Cash in Olympic VillageCosmetics on August 12th in Libertyville from noon to 4 p.m. Nothing But Nets' malaria campaign is a global initiative to eliminate one of the leading killers of children in Africa. For more info, please click here. (Pics by Slawek Chrzaszcz and Steve Starr…check out more pics here!)

 
Printers row 71581092Six months ago, the Chicago Tribune proudly launched Printers Row, a membership program for those who love books, authors and conversations about the ideas they generate. This weekend, they offered readers a special eight page sample tucked inside the Sunday section (where Candid Candace’s column also appears!). And beginning this week, they are Trib pageoffering even MORE perks with the membership program ($99 per year) which will include four free tickets to Printers Row Live! Events in addition to Book-of-the-Month discounts, private author receptions and conversations at Tribune Tower. You can now also buy it as a digital-only subscription for $29 or just the journal/fiction, no events or programs, for $49, which includes the Printers Row Journal and Fiction home-delivered every week in print and digital editions. To join, call 866.977.8742, offer code X156, or click here! Happy reading from your friends at the Chicago Tribune!!! This is a real literary treat!
 
Blog 1 - Bunky and his fans-friends on his birthday at AlliumLots of friends’ birthdays this month! I loved celebrating the Squire, Bunky Cushing’s, birthday at the Four Seasons’ Allium Restaurant with his special ladies who included Hazel Blog 2 - The Squire makes a wish!Barr, Zarada Gowenlock, Linda Heister, Mamie Walton, Robin Segesta, Myra Reilly and Megan McKinney. Chef Kevin Hickey’s menu is out of this world delicious and I was so thrilled to be included! Friends also celebrated the perpetually glam Toni Canada’s birthday (or as Blog 3 - Too sweet for words!Dusty Stemer called it “her birthday tour”) at Piccolo Sogno. The evening couldn’t have been more perfect and Toni matched the occasion Blog 4 - Celebrating at Piccolo Sognoin one of the most beautiful dresses I’ve seen in a long time, a form-fitting floral sheath with purple feathers by Prabal Gurung. Friends on the patio included Corri McFadden (who regaled us with tales of her fairytale engagement on Capri), Jan Flanagan (sporting the coolest Louis Vuitton cuff on the Blog 5 - Corri McFadden and Heather Farleyplanet), Lynn McMahan, Nina Mariano, Dusty, Susanna Negovan, Heather Farley Ingram Blog 7 - Celebrating at Chicago Cutand Jennifer Hamood. And a special thanks to all of my sweet friends who came out for my late birthday celebration at Chicago Cut! I loved seeing Leslie Hindman, Sheila O’Grady, Helen Melchior, Toni Canada, Nina Mariano, Jan Flanagan, Sheryl Dyer, Blog 8 - Sonya Jackson, Sheryl Dyer and Mary Pat Bur
ns at Chicago CutChris Long, Kristina McGrath, Sonya Jackson, Hazel Barr, Lynn McMahan, Blog 9 - Chris Long and Sheila O’GradyMary Pat Burns, Mamie Walton, Jean Antoniou and Tracy Tarantino. (Sharyl Mackey couldn’t attend since she and Mike were vacationing in Michigan.) Bon anniversaire a mes amis! 🙂 (For more pics from these fun parties, please click here!)
 
19126513_BG1I’m lovin’ all of this great press for and about Stella Foster! People are coming out of the woodwork to celebrate, honor, fete and host events to celebrate her long career! Her "Windy City Live" interview on Monday was priceless and now comes word she will be the FIRST African American women to be named Honorary Grand Marshall for the Columbus Day Parade on October 8th!!!! Later that same night, she also appeared on Jim Williams’ Show and Chicago Tonight with Phil Ponce! I have a feeling her “retirement” won’t be quite what she thinks it will be! LOL! Oh, and did I tell you the Mayor proclaimed Monday to be Stella Foster Day in Chicago!?! I was honored to be included in her last column along with so many other friends like Shell Reyes, Tony Weisman, Ken Bedford, Bonnie Krueger Spurlock, Anna Davlantes, Les Coney, John Roger and Mark Suppelsa! Stay tuned for more “Stellabration” updates! The Foster Love Train is just startin’ to roll!

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Cooper HefnerCheck out this pic of Cooper Hefner that his dad tweeted Monday night along with the phrase, “And the legend continues!” He is the Hef and Crystal Harris at Midsummer Night's Dream party 2012spitting image of Hef! I also hear he was a fabulous host at Saturday night’s Midsummer Night’s Dream party, even donning PJs! Too cute for words! And yes, Crystal Harris (aka the runaway bride) was there, too! (Check out a few more pics here!)
 
Blog 1 - Designer-race car driver Mary Kaczor with Ashley Judd “buying” the necklaceAnd if you’re in the market for unique jewelry and fast cars, then you might want to check out the Concurs d’ Elegance in Pebble Beach next week, August 15th through 19th. This is one of the top Blog 2 - Winning Ways II on finish linecar shows in the world with rare autos showcased against a stunning backdrop. A special highlight of the grand event will be a one-of-a-kind necklace created by former race car driver, Mary Kaczor. This piece is so special (for this 100th anniversary) that it even has its own name, Winning Ways II! It was created from pieces of famous cars in the Blog 3 - Mario Andretti with Mary and WWII necklacepast including the frame nut from the Marmon Wasp, the very first car to win the Indy 500. The necklace is sculpted out of 18K white gold with black and white princess cut diamonds on its sides Blog 4 - Lord and Lady March at Goodwood House before Ballsymbolizing two checkered flags. The centerpiece is a 10.43 carat diamond graded E VVS1. Bids will begin at $1.6 million…yeah, you heard me! A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum as well as the Wheldon Family Trust. (Driver Dan Wheldon was killed in the Las Vegas race last year and is survived by his widow and two young sons.) (For more info, visit www.pebblebeachconcours.net or email mary@racerxdesigns.com.)
 
Strut event on Clark Street 2One of my favorite boutiques, STRUT, will be hosting a special shopping night, “High Fashion Without the High Price,” on Thursday, August 9th from 6 to 9 p.m. at 2549 N. Clark. Darling designer Borris Powell will feature his latest ready-to-wear collection and be on hand to answer all of your fashion questions. Beautiful boutique owner Niala Conte will be offering wine and appetizers to her lucky customers! Hope to see you there!
 
CS Social Glam Launch Party pageA special thanks to CS Magazine for featuring our Glamorama Launch Party in such fun style
in this month’s magazine! I love the comments and thought this was so clever! Hope to see you all Friday night, too! 🙂

 
That’s all folks! Hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s edition and I hope you’re having a fun-filled summer!
 
First pic from MarsLove, as always,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com
 
P.S. Breaking news from my friend Tissy Eggleston who submitted this pic of the FIRST image transmitted from the Curiosity Rover on Mars!

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THE “SPORT OF KINGS” COMES TO NORTH AVENUE BEACH!

Blog 1 - Player David Wolf leads the parade Pounding hooves, clicking mallets, cheering fans, hot club music…all of this happened for the first time on North Avenue Beach this weekend. The Grey Goose Chicago Beach Polo World Blog 1 - Nathalie De Barry, Rebecca Janoff, Polo Life prez Bruce Orosz and Lacey Abbot Cup I, 2011 took place Saturday and Sunday on the sands near the boathouse as eight international teams of men and women took to the field, erghhh…I mean beach! This two day event was one of the best parties I’ve been to in a long, long Blog 2 - Mike Coleman with the Trump Women's Team time! DJ Geronimo played the hot club music between chukkers that reminded me of high season in St. Tropez! The attendees had all dug deep into their closets to find the most fashionably appropriate polo-viewing Blog 3 - Polo on the beach outfits and they ALL looked so very chic. Beach polo was created first in Dubai in 2004 followed by the Miami Beach Polo World Cup in 2005. For the debut event here, team sponsors included Grey Goose, Gascon, Lutfthansa, Titan Blog 4 - Meredith Ahern, Ted and Sarah Beardsley Tetzlaff, Joe and Susan Ahern, Dan Uslan Commercial, Amstel/Comcast and Trump Residences. The winning team was Titan Commericial led by players Ben Rosenfield, Chad Middendorf and Guille and Tavi Usandizaga. The horses and players were so close to us, you could hear Blog 5 - Eva Pawlus, Kristin Kojzarek and Monika Dixon the snorts and see the sweat (on the horses!). It was so exciting and there was so much going on during the matches. The festivities actually began on Thursday at the Noble Horse Theater on Sedgwick with an incredible, hands-on clinic with the pros. Setting the stage for the World Cup weekend, top rated players Nic Blog 6 - Joe Ahern and Reute Butler Roldan and Brazilian Paula Chermont, along with a team of other players directed an eager group of Chicagoans in practices such as riding, shot techniques, rules and strategy. Following the clinic, there was an after-party at Gallery 1028. Friday night, the Crimson Lounge at the Sax Hotel was the scene for the Press Party where guests mixed and mingled with Blog 7 - Sven Asmus with fiancé (R) and daughter the players and on Saturday, the main event began. There was a men’s and women’s fashion show presented by Cityblue Apparel & Denim. It was so cool to see the models on the “runway” in the sand which then extended through the VIP Pavilion. I even saw fashion maven Nena Ivon there surveying the show with her unerring eye. President of The Blog 8 - Beach Polo producer Lou Vasta and Lonnie Rodriguez Polo Life, Bruce Orosz, had this to say: “Our event continues to grow, thanks to incredible and continuing support from our sponsors and many polo enthusiasts, whose population is also increasing. As interest in the ‘Sport of Kings’ expands, we feel we should follow suit.” Orosz has plans on expanding the beach games to spots around the globe. Alex Webbe, Blog 9 - Partying at the polo games! chairman of the International Beach Polo Association added this, “Although over 3,000 years old, the ancient sport of polo made its first appearance in Chicago’s Dexter Park in 1876 when the California Polo Club staged a practice game much to the delight of an enthusiastic assemblage. Three years later, Blog 10 - Fashionistas at polo games! the Chicago Polo Club would be formed. Familiarly played on emerald expanses of the finest Bermuda grasses, beach polo reduces the size of the playing area to a more crowd-friendly size in an effort to drop the action into the laps of the spectators. The sport of beach polo has grown Blog 11 - Jenilca and Sandy Dogmi-Smith over the years, serving as a ‘moveable feast’ of sorts, bringing this exciting equestrian sport to cities and locales that would not otherwise have the opportunity of observing this age-old sport.” This event truly was a ‘moveable feast’ with fabulous food from Fogo de Chao and Union Sushi & BBQ, photo booths, a Gascon wine tent, an Amstel beer tent, pop-up Blog 12 - Rick and Toni Canada with Hedwig and Bob Golant shops and even electric violinists! The beach was filled with happy laughter and, as both days drew to a close, the sand and dance floor was filled with high spirited, dancing polo-nistas…and this was BEFORE the AFTER-PARTIES Blog 13 - Sylvia Lesiak and Agnes Orseno began! Whew! Congrats to all involved for bringing (and promoting) this exciting event in Chicago: Grey Goose, Bruce Orosz (Polo Life President), Lou Vasta (producer/partner Chicago Beach Polo), Don Miguel Gascon, Union Sushi & BBQ Bar, Rock Sake, Amstel Light, Tim Huizenga, Mark Blog 14 - Michael Coleman and Sara Martens Mitten, Alex Webbe, Vincent Anzalone, Michigan Avenue Magazine, Dan Uslan, Lonnie Rodriquez, Bettie Bomb PR, Rebecca Kussman, Rebecca Janoff, The Polo Life, the amazing men and women players and their athletic ponies and so many more! Can’t wait to see what next year brings! My only complaint is that the event should be held two weeks earlier. Saturday was very cool but sure didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits! For more info, please visit www.ThePoloLife.com. (Additional photos courtesy of Helena Rafeyan and Caitlin Collins. To see ALL event pics, please click HERE!)

Blog 1 - Goldie Hawn and co-chair Lara Shipp Shiffman The 26th annual fall benefit for the Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation kicked off National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a luncheon at the Ritz-Carlton featuring guest speaker/actress, Goldie Hawn. Blog 2 - Ashley Hemphill-Netzky and Dara Hessell The event was co-chaired by Michelle Friedman, Ashley Hemphill Netzky and Lara Shipp Shiffman. Children from the Music Institute of Chicago performed for 750 happy Blog 3 - Karen MacAdam and Cathy Zack (Pic by Robert Kusel) guests anxious to hear Goldie, whose mother was a breast cancer survivor, speak. The room was a sea of pink with linens provided by BBJ and assorted pink blossom centerpieces courtesy of Heffernan Morgan/Ronsley. Attendees Blog 4 - Goldie Hawn also had the chance to bid on new and collectible handbags from upscale boutiques and private collections for the “Purse-sue the Cure” silent auction. Bryan and Julie Barrish and family, Neil Bluhm, and Cari and Michael Sacks were Daisy Sponsor supporters for this event, which raised $635,000 to support breast cancer research, fellowships and educational programs at Northwestern Memorial Blog 5 - Appreciative guests Hospital and the Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern. LSCRF has begun to “Light the Way to Find a Cure,” turning Chicago’s beautiful skyline pink to raise awareness throughout the month of October. To learn more about this wonderful organization or to make a donation, please visit www.lynnsage.org.

Blog 1 I hope you got a chance to enjoy Chicago’s FIRST “Open Streets” event downtown this weekend. This concept, introduced previously to the city by the Active Transportation Alliance, closed seven blocks of State Street to buses, cars and cabs so pedestrians could enjoy a safe place to stroll, bicycle, walk the dog and meander free from the worries of traffic. Sponsored by the Illinois Center for Blog 2 - Soma Fuller, Chgo. Campus ED Bill Natale and producer John Basile Broadcasting, this popular idea, called a “ciclovia” (Spanish for bike path), originated in Bogota, Columbia. Ciclovias are now popular in many places around the world including New York (where Park Avenue is closed) and San Francisco (where Grant Avenue is closed). The Loop Alliance helped Active Trans organize this year’s event along with help from supportive Aldermen Blog 3 - Sponsor ICB at Open Streets Brendan Reilly and Robert Fioretti as well as Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Ty Tabing. This fun day included an Imagination Playground, a Scavenger Hunt, a dunking booth, the Windy City Rollers, break dance instruction, a skateboard park and live streaming from the Illinois Center for Broadcasting featuring Bionce Foxx and Ernie Scatton. Watch for video from Watch312.com with highlights coming soon! 🙂

Blog 1 - Kendra at her Macy’s book signing Macy's scored another coup having my favorite “Girl Next Door,” Kendra Wilkinson/Baskett, make an in-store appearance at their State Street store for a signing of her latest book, “Being Kendra: Cribs, Cocktails & Blog 2 - Cute Kendra fans Getting My Sexy Back.” This is her second book, following her New York Times bestseller, “Sliding into Home.” In her current book, she “reveals her private side, sharing the ups and downs, the joys and challenges of motherhood, Blog 3 marriage, and life in the spotlight.” I will tell you, the opening paragraph catches your attention immediately. “Hank and I had sex on the staircase today. Right there, flat-out spontaneous sex with our clothes mostly still on. Steps digging into my back, the banister acting as a bedpost. It was quick and skillful.” Kendra is Blog 4 - Tons of Kendra fans! blatantly honest which makes her such a successful author and popular reality star. She told me she asks the E! Channel to “put it all in because it’s life. If there’s dog poo on the floor, I tell them to show it.” She has lived a large part of her life in front of the cameras and her intent is to build security for Baby Hank so “he doesn’t have to live that Blog 5 - Kendra interviewed by Luis Arroyo lifestyle.” (Kendra was a stripper when she was discovered by Hef.) Her appearance at Macy’s was filmed by E! for an upcoming show segment. Tribune nightlife reporter Luis Arroyo and Black Sophisticate’s Hairstyle Guide (owned by my friend Bonnie Krueger) also covered this fun event. Kendra’s fans filled the lower level in anticipation of her arrival. I loved talking to her…she’s real, press savvy and driven. Go Kendra! Go Kendra! (Thanks to Macy’s Kamal Bosamia and Andrea Schwartz for this terrific opportunity!) Check out my interview below on Watch312.com and see how interested she is in my own Playboy history! 

Watch live streaming video from watch312 at livestream.com

Film Fest Opening Night Invite The coming weeks will bring lots of exciting events and here are a few CANDACE RECOMMENDS. Hope to see you at one or more of these fun fundraisers!

On Thursday, October 6th, the International Film Fest Opening Night Gala will feature “The Last Rites of Joe May” and its star, Dennis Farina. Bill Kurtis will emcee. For tickets and more info, please visit www.ChicagoFilmFestival.com.

MonArrez Fashion Show On Friday, October 7th, designer Hector MonArrez presents his FRONT ROW 2012 Fashion Show at the Union League Club beginning at 6:15 PM with a VIP champagne reception. Tickets (starting at $45) can be purchased by visiting www.monarrezcollection.com.

Art of Home Invite Image On Thursday, October 13th, the Art of Home will celebrate 50 Chicago area artists in a benefit to raise funds for Lakeside Housing programs. I am so proud to be a part of this worthy event which will take place at Zhou Brothers Art Center at 1029 W. 35th St. from 6-9 PM. For tickets ($150), please click herge!

NextFashionChicago_Invite Fashion Focus Chicago begins on Monday, October 17th and runs through the 23rd in Millennium Park. Tickets are $35 for general admission which applies to each of the four shows in the tent this year. All ticket holders will be seated, no SRO crowds this year! There are a host of other fashionable events surrounding Fashion Focus including the FIRST show called NEXT FASHION CHICAGO, which will Marcus 2-4-11 422 fb occur Monday night, October 17th, from 6:30 – 10 PM at the Germania Club, located at 108 W. Germania Place. The show, produced by Rose Mandel/Mandel Productions, is the first full-length group show and will include designers Elda de la Rosa, Sahar Dada, Sujata Gazder, Hector-Javier MonArrez, Mira Couture, Fraley Le, Gary Gonzales and Cleons. Featured stores include Bottega Contessa, Sofia, Furla and Cache. I am proud to be an emcee along with NBC’s popular Marcus Riley! For tickets, beginning at $30, please visit www.NextFashionChicago.com.

Kohl Children's Muesum Invite aeti-2011-web Saturday, October 15th, the Kohl Children’s Museum will celebrate 25 years with “An Evening to Imagine” at 2100 Patriot Blvd. in Glenview. The fun-filled celebration will feature music, dining, dancing and magic with surprises for the entire family! Individual tickets start at $500. For more info, please visit www.kohlchildrensmuseum.org or call 847-832-6600.

Emmy winner and nominee, Catie Keogh And lastly, on a personal note, I want to congratulate two friends on their EMMY nominations: Steve Weiss and Catie Keogh! Catie’s show – “24/7” - has once again been nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Magazine Programming! Her show runs on NBC 5 Emmy nominee, Zacuto’s Steve Weiss and wife Lucy Wojitas at 12:30 AM as well as 35 times a week on the NBC Nonstop Channels. Congrats to one of the hardest working women in showbiz!  And my neighbor/friend, Steve Weiss, and his company, ZACUTO, have been nominated for FOUR Emmys – one for Outstanding Achievement for Documentary Programs, one for Outstanding Achievement for Informational Programming, one for Interview Programming and one for Outstanding Crafts Achievement Off-Air: Editor-Program. I wish them both the BEST of luck!!! 🙂

Well, this is the lowdown on Chicago’s highlights for this week! I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s Candid Candace and that I “see” you again next week, same time, same place!

Love,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com

P.S. Dogs really are man’s best friend, in many, many ways… 🙂

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