…PLUS SERVICE CLUB OF CHICAGO CELEBRATES 122ND GALA, LUXURY GARAGE SALE’S GRAND OPENING, CHICAGO DEFENDER’S NEWSMAKERS GALA, L’ECOLE DE CHOIX IS LISTENING, WORLD OF CHOCOLATE’S TASTY FUNDRAISER, HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS, WALTER WRITES A BOOK, CHICAGO TOY & GAME SHOW, THE CAROLING PARTY CELEBRATES 26 AND SO MUCH MORE!
A record 725 guests escorting 150 pet companions gathered at The Drake Hotel on Friday, November 9th for a special evening of elegance and compassion at PAWS Chicago’s 11th Annual Fur Ball. As Chicago’s premier pet-friendly black tie gala, the event raised more than $1,000,000 which will 
go directly to saving the lives of Chicago’s homeless animals, making it the most successful Fur Ball to date. Lucky pups in attendance indulged in a doggie buffet served in crystal goblets and received pampered treatments in the Dog Spa, complete with an animal masseuse and paw-dicures. Meanwhile, their human counterparts enjoyed an elegant dinner buffet, silent and live auctions, raffle, 
dancing, people and pet illustrations by Rosemary Fanti and insight into their pet’s thoughts through animal communicator, Alicia Halloran. 
Presented by A. Marek Fine Jewelry, Chopper Trading and The Drake Hotel, the event was co-chaired by Joanna Mallers, Rita Moore and Lauren and Sandy Walfish. Honorary chairs Bonnie and Jim Spurlock were celebrated for their long-term dedication and generosity to helping save the lives of homeless pets. The David Duffield Family received the PAWS Chicago Visionary 
Award for their exemplary work on a national scale with Maddie’s Fund, which 
is dedicated to building no-kill communities. (Maddie’s Fund has donated more than $300 million to date in their efforts to make this a no-kill nation.) The highlight of the evening was the exciting live auction, featuring one-of-a-kind items. Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan helped auction off a private acoustic performance and sit-down tea with him at his new Highland Park tea 
house, Madame Zuzu’s. After a bidding war between 
three guests, Billy generously offered the same chance to each bidder, all together raising $90,000 for homeless pets. This chance of
a lifetime went to Kristy Kitzmiller, Mayari Pritzker and Nancy Timmers. “Like many of you in this room, I’m a pet lover. Two of my kitties came from PAWS, they were left in a box in 2003,” said Corgan. “The mother only had one eye and was missing a leg and I adopted two of her kittens. So every day of my 
life, I feel blessed to have these kittens and it’s because of an organization like this that they exist.” 
Earning the opportunity to have their pet featured on the cover of the 2013 PAWS Chicago Desktop Calendar was John & Rita Canning, with a winning bid of $22,000. A portrait sitting with renowned celebrity photographer Victor Skrebneski (donated by Skrebneski himself) was won by Nancy Timmers for $18,000. And a luxurious trip to Beijing brought in $13,000, purchased by 
Melinda McMullen and donated by American Airlines, Grand Hyatt 
Beijing, Park Hyatt Beijing and Grand Hyatt Shanghai. Additional auction items included four VIP tickets to “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” a five night stay in a gorgeous Dominican Republic villa and tickets to the 2013 Grammy Awards and the official after-party. Presenting sponsor Raj Fernando of Chopper Trading raised his hand during the “Bid to Save Lives” and committed to a $63,000 matching gift for spay/neuter surgeries for pets of low-income families, which was fulfilled by three generous 
donors. “The success of this year’s Fur Ball directly translates into PAWS Chicago being able to increase the 
number of animals we save,” said PAWS Chicago founder and chair Paula Fasseas. “With no government funding, we are reliant on support from our animal-loving community and events like the Fur Ball are essential to continuing our life-saving work.” To learn more about this wonderful organization, please visit www.PawsChicago.org. (Photos courtesy of Sparenga, Malia Rae and Richard Chen Photography, Alexis Fasseas and moi…to see MORE event pics, please click here!) Stay tuned for my Watch312.com video coverage coming SOON!
The Service Club of Chicago celebrated its 122nd gala on November 2nd at the Four Seasons Hotel. The sounds of violins filled the air as more than 400 guests ascended the stairway for the opening reception outside the Grand 
Ballroom. As always, the extensive silent auction offerings kept the black tie clad attendees busy bidding while they sipped cocktails and mingled with friends before the doors were swung open to reveal spectacular décor by Tom Kehoe Designs, the 
organization’s much loved design expert. Co-chaired by Kimberly Gleeson and Elizabeth Brodsky, the night was themed “With Gratitude” and featured a parade of past gala chairs who were led into the ballroom on the arms of tuxedo clad dancers 
in top hats. Twenty-five former gala chairs were in attendance beginning with Marguerite Hark, who chaired her gala in 1983. SC President Vonita Reescer welcomed guests and said, “Our board and our event/committee chairs 
have worked so hard all year long. From God Save My Shoes and the Hat Luncheon to the Day on the Terrace, our educational events and Day at the Races, it has been a year of much accomplishment of which we can all be proud. Tonight’s ball pays tribute to all of the ball chairs throughout our 
history who have made a difference and whose contributions enable The Service Club to continue its important work. All of these ladies, starting with the Palmers and the Armours, all the way to Brodsky and Gleeson, have made their mark and have made us strong.” Elizabeth and Kimberly thanked Jamie Breslin and her staff at 
the Four Seasons and “Mr. Music”, Stanley Paul, who entertained with his formidable orchestra. (Peter Oprisko performed for the after-party.) The live auction, conducted during dinner by David Goodman, including a trip to San Francisco, courtesy of American Airlines and the Terlato Family Vineyards. PAWS Chicago upped the excitement level when three pets were 
offered for adoption, one kitten and two Lab/retriever mixes. Chef Charlie Trotter and wife Rochelle (wearing an elegant gown by Atelier Azza) were the lucky winners of one of the puppies as well as Richard Doermer (who bought the pup for his daughter). The night was magical in every way and you could hear the happy sounds of laughter and applause filling the room as 
paddles were raised to bid in support of the SC. This organization is one of the oldest in Chicago having been founded 
in 1890. Originally created to serve the needs of the city’s most vulnerable, particularly immigrant women and children, the club hosted bazaars and participated in sewing circles to raise the revenues they needed to support their charitable work. Their good work continues and, 
last year, they awarded more than $252K to agencies working in a wide variety of fields, including the arts, disability services, early childhood care, education, health and healthcare, HIV/AIDS services and youth development. This night raised more than $400K for The Service Club of Chicago. (To see how you can get involved, please click here…and view more pics here!)
Nearly 200 fashion-forward Chicagoans headed to the hottest new upscale consignment shop in town – Luxury Garage Sale – located right in my Old Town ‘hood at 1658 N. Wells. The 3,300-square-foot boutique 
presents a refined and impeccably curated collection of discounted couture clothing, accessories, designer handbags and shoes. The fashionable and business savvy duo behind the booming business, founders, Brielle Buchberg and Lindsay Segal, have created a space where designer-loving fans can peruse and purchase the 
company’s highly coveted inventory that will change daily, as well as drop-off couture they’re ready to surrender from their own closets. At the event, guests toasted the gorgeous new store with Moet champagne and Coco Mori desserts, whose custom cake pops were adorned with LGS, Chanel and Louis Vuitton logos. A supporter of the event, Moet’s own Peggy Lanigan, presented 
Segal and Buchberg with a magnum bottle of Moet custom designed with Luxury Garage Sale. (Awwwwww!) Radiant 
Buchberg (pregnant with twins due in early 2013 and wearing a breathtaking vintage necklace) and Segal (looking chic in Prada and Miu Miu) greeted friends and consigners and thanked everyone for their support to help open the new store. The fabulous fete also brought out some 
well-known Chicago faces including Ashley Hooks (Miss Illinois USA 2012), Graham Kostic (GlossedandFound.com), Chicago Bears head coach’s wife MaryAnne Smith (with 
daughter-in-law Kristin Smith), Amy Tara Koch, Steve and Lucy Weiss (Zacuto Manufacturing) and Lesley Prizant Goodman among many others. Luxury Garage Sale provides a unique service and format for buying and selling new, gently-used and vintage 
clothing, shoes, accessories and collectibles. Their new boutique will feature a daily carefully curated collection of their favorite ‘finds’ such as Chanel handbags and 
vintage Balenciaga, as well as overstock from some of the top boutiques nationwide. Store hours will be Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more info, visit luxurygaragesale.com. I’ll see YOU there, I hope!
The Chicago Defender’s Newsmakers Gala was held at the Hyatt Regency on November 3rd. This prestigious award ceremony highlights people doing great things in the community. Honorees in different industries who 
have influenced lives near and far are Steve Harvey (Multi-Media), Val Warner (journalist and television host, “Windy City Live”), Larry Huggins (acting Chairman, METRA), Jean-Claude Brizard (former CEO, Chicago Public 
Schools), Karen Lewis (president, Chicago Teachers Union), Karen Freeman-Wilson (Mayor of Gary, Indiana) and Tio Hardiman (director of CeaseFire Illinois). For 107 
years, the Chicago Defender has been a powerful force in unifying African American and African communities across the globe. They have initiated and supported some of the biggest movements in the United States including the Great Northern Migration in the early 1900’s to the Civil Rights 
Movement in the '50s and '60s to the 2012 election. Pastor Corey Brooks of New Beginnings Church (aka the Rooftop Pastor) received the Newsmaker of the Year Award for his commitment to camping out on the roof of the downtrodden motel which 
“Does anyone care, is anyone even listening?” asks 12-year-old Daniel Toussaint, a student at The School of Choice (L'Ecole de Choix), a first-of-its kind trilingual school in Mirebalais, Haiti, that provides a high-quality elementary education with a focus on leadership development for 
183 children ages 4 to 12. Listening intently is one Chicago woman and a growing group of supporters who are committed to providing Daniel and his classmates with a unique gift in rural Haiti: choice. “Without choice, whether it’s about what we eat or what career we enter, we are deprived of our dignity,” says Laura Pincus Hartman (Vincent de Paul professor of business ethics at 
DePaul University) who is co-founder and board chair of the school. “For the hundreds of thousands who 
live in extreme poverty in Haiti’s Central Plateau, hope is a rare commodity, and choices are even scarcer.” Haitian Olympian triple jumper Samyr Laine will join Laura on one of her frequent visits to Choix in Haiti this fall to continue his commitment “to inspire his 
people and showcase my country's dignity.” To mark the success of its first academic anniversary and raise funds to meet annual operating costs, Laine joined Hartman at the “Virtual Visit To 
Choix” benefit on October 20th at The Francis W. Parker School that attracted more than 300 guests. Emceed by renowned Chicago comedian, commentator and actor Aaron Freeman, guests experienced Choix 
first-hand through videos, student profiles, interactive arts and crafts projects. Honorary chairs for the benefit included Lesly Condé (Consul Géneral, Consulate General of Haiti), Fr. Dennis Holtschneider 
(President, DePaul University), Andrew Mason (CEO, Groupon), Katrina Markoff (CEO, Vosges Chocolates), Senator Kwame Raoul (13th Dist., IL), Hon. Lionel Jean-Baptiste (Judge, 
Circuit Court of Cook County, IL), Chris Kennedy (Chair, Board of Trustees, Univ. of Illinois, Past President, Merchandise Mart), David Brown (Chairman, Much Shelist, 
P.C.), Suzanne Muchin (Founder, ROI Ventures) and Laura Pincus Hartman (Board Chair, L’Ecole de Choix, Vincent de Paul professor, DePaul University). “We want to instill in this next generation a pride and esteem for their culture, both current and historical,” says Hartman. “As the first and only Black republic to have overcome slavery, and remain a free people to this day, Haiti offers its children – as well as the rest of us – an extraordinary model of liberty.”
The Fifth Annual Global Health Initiative Benefit Dinner was held at The Peninsula on October 3rd. The evening was hosted by beloved Bill Kurtis and featured the president of Chicago Lake Shore Medical Associates, Dr. Robert Havey, as well as Northwestern Feinberg medical student Joe Brown, 
who is currently on a GHI-funded rotation in Peru. More than 200 guests came out to support the GHI mission with the event raising more than $480K for global health education, providing access to healthcare in low resource areas worldwide and encouraging compassionate primary care medicine. For more info, visit clsma.com/ghi.
Don’t miss WORLD OF CHOCOLATE's one-of-a-kind annual party in commemoration of World’s AIDS Day. It will take place for the 11th year on Thursday, November 29th from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Hilton Chicago at 720 S. 
Michigan! If you love chocolate, then you will LOVE this event benefitting the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Dozens of Chicago’s finest chocolatiers, restaurants and caterers will be offering up their most creative and tasty selections for a night that will also include a light buffet, specialty cocktails, a raffle with lavish prizes, music and so much more! Tickets start at $125. For info, please visit www.aidschicago.org/chocolate.
The Chicago theater community will present a wide variety of festive plays and musicals, as well as dance and concert offerings this Holiday season. The League of Chicago Theatres has created a list of offerings with an updated list of holiday shows that will be available throughout the season at www.chicagoplays.com. Click HERE for a selection of holiday-themed work playing in Chicago, thus far, this season! Ho! Ho! Ho!
Twenty-five thousand visitors will head to Navy Pier this weekend (November 17th and 18th) for the Chicago Toy & Game Fair to shop and play with thousands of toys and games on display from over 250 exhibitors! The 10th anniversary of the fair – the largest public toy and game show in the country – will feature the holiday season’s newest offerings. Founder/CEO Mary Couzin says, “It will be like a giant interactive and bottomless toy box!” Count me IN!!!! For more info, visit www.ChiTag.com!
The Caroling Party will celebrate its 26th anniversary with a special performance in the Signature Room of the John Hancock with all 60 of their fabulous performers on Monday, December 3rd. Anyone dining in the 95th will get to see the show for FREE so make your reservations now for their 45-minute performance which will follow a visit to the Rehabilitation Institute where they will bring the sounds of the season to its patients. Congrats to Paul Iams and this wonderful group who brings joy to so many!
Congrats to beloved TV anchor/author Walter Jacobson on the launch of his recent book, "Walter's Perspective: A Memoir of Fifty Years in Chicago TV News." A group of friends 
celebrated his book launch at Gibson’s: Bill Kurtis, Bob Sirott, Jay Levine, Mary Ann Childers, Joe Ahern, Terry Savage, Victor Skrebneski, Billy Marovitz, Mancow, Roe Conn, 
Ryan Baker, Steve Baskerville, Marty Wilke, Joanie Bayhack, Rob Feder, Father Michael Pfleger, Paula and Peter Fasseas, Dominic DiFrisco, Sherren Leigh, Richard Babcock and Vonita Reescer all turned out to celebrate! Congrats Walter! To buy his wonderful book, please click here! (Photos by Steve Starr.)
As many of you know, our town has lost one of its most colorful and beloved characters. Celebrity photographer Steve Starr passed away suddenly on November 12th, a month to the day before an event that he had been planning for over a year, “The 
theirs. No one cared more than he did if you looked good in your photo. He stayed up through the wee hours sending out individual pics from the evening to those people whose photos he’d taken. He taught us how to pose, he taught us 
how to live. He was a shining example of how to make the most out of life, live every moment, enjoy every party and cherish your friends. God is smiling bigger and leaning forward, just a little bit. We will miss you, Steve – our town will never be the same without you. Please join me in a celebration of Steve on 12/12/12. Besides ticket sales, donations are gladly accepted.
That’s the news for this week; I hope you’ve enjoyed reading it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it! Chicago is such an inspiring town..
Love you all,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com
