Tag Archives: Windy City Live

August 3, 2011 · 1:22 pm

SPORTS REIGNED AT DEMPSTER’S NIGHT FOR CHARITY

Chicago is exploding with fun parties, galas, fundraisers and festivals this summer and I hope you’ve been able to attend one or more of them! Recently, I attended the Second Annual Dempster Foundation Casino Night at the Palmer House. For all of you non-sporting types, Ryan Dempster is a starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. He, along with his beautiful wife, Jenny, created the Dempster Family Foundation, Strike Out 22q. 22q is also known as DiGeorge Syndrome and is a genetic disorder that affects swallowing, breathing and speech in children. Ryan and Jenny’s little daughter, Riley, was born with this condition. One baby in 1,800 is afflicted with this disease and this night was dedicated to raising awareness and funds. An outpouring of support came from Dempster’s Cubs teammates and fellow athletes who attended including Carlos Zambrano, Carlos Marmol, Starlin Castro, Sean Marshall, Jeff Samardzija, Randy Wells and former Cub Doug Glanville, among many others. The event was held in the Grand Ballroom and the gaming tables, courtesy of Horseshoe, lined every corner, many manned by the players or local celebs. There was a silent and a live auction that offered an incredible autographed Babe Ruth baseball as its top prize that sold for $22K. Other live auction highlights included a guest spot on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” ($10K!), a World Series Package that included tickets for four plus a private charter and hotel, 2012 Ryder Cup Package for two, dinner for four with Ryan at Harry Caray’s, an Aria Resort and Casino Las Vegas Platinum Package and the dream of a lifetime; throwing out the first pitch at Wrigley Field for a Cubs game which brought $3,750! The silent auction was a sports memorabilia collector’s dream come true with autographed jerseys (including one signed by Ernie Banks), lots of signed baseballs and bats, Blackhawks tickets, theater tickets for Blue Man Group and Second City, restaurant packages, beauty treatments, trips and the chance for a young baseball fan to be a bat boy a Wrigley Field (this included four game tickets, too!). Ryan had this to say about the evening, “When people come together for a common cause, they can do a lot of good.” On this night, filled with love, $300K was raised. To learn more or make a donation, please visit www.dempsterfamilyfoundation.org. (To see ALL event pics, please click here.)

I had never been to a fashion show that featured just handbags and shoes but I was happy to know I didn’t need to be a size 6 to lust after these catwalk offerings! The American Cancer Society’s Women’s Board of Chicago, in conjunction with Saks Fifth Avenue, featured the fall designer collections that showcased two of my favorite things, shoes and handbags! The night began in the Palmer House’s Red Lacquer Room, one of the most beautiful ballrooms in the city, with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres along with a silent auction that included two VIP tickets to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week plus airfare ($2,300), a Fifth Avenue Getaway that included a suite at the Setai plus a $500 Saks gift card ($2,000), polo lessons at Arranmore Farm and a Chicago Weekend at the Palmer House plus dinner atop the 95th. The event opened with a birthday video (the American Cancer Society is the “Official Sponsor of Birthdays”) that included comments from Jack Black, Justin Bieber and Usher, to name a few. Women’s Board Chair, Stacey Barrins, welcomed the crowd of 400 to this unique show and said, “I have been entrusted with carrying on a legacy founded almost 60 years ago. New leadership naturally brings change, but the one thing that remains constant is our responsibility to raise funds in the fight against cancer.” Fashion Chair Bonita Friedland, along with the dynamic 22 member Women’s Board, raised $150K on this night. The next scheduled event is set for November 10th when Martha Stewart will be the guest speaker. For more info, please visit, www.AmericanCancerSociety.org.

TCW Magazine, along with Bob Graham, recently hosted a reception at UBS’ offices at One North Wacker to celebrate the women included in their recent feature, “100 Women Making a Difference.” It was such an honor to be included with so many dynamic Chicago women! The room was packed with honorees and their well- wishers for this cocktail and hors d’oeuvres party. The first thing you noticed upon arrival was the bank of gorgeous elegantly clad male models who were on hand to check you in. What a cute idea from Publisher Sherren Leigh and Managing Editor Cassandra Gaddo! The women immediately had their cameras out, me too, and began snapping away at this group of men who looked like they had all just stepped out of a Ralph Lauren ad. Congrats to ALL of the honorees and thanks for bringing this feature back, Sherren! (This idea was begun 14 years ago and last ran in 2001.) Check out ALL of the event photos by Steve Starr here.

Angela Rose, founder of PAVE: Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment, held a 15th anniversary party for her dynamic organization at Rockit Bar & Grill. This fundraiser included appetizers, a private reception and a chance to mix and mingle with supportive friends. The host committee consisted of Andrea Metcalf, April Rose, Cassandra Gaddo, Chloe Ifergan, Dr. Dominic Gaziano, Frances Renk, Glen Murray, Jenner Evans, Jonathan Landan, Lindsay Hays and moi. Save the date for their next Annual PAVE Charity Fashion Show, “Fear No Fashion,” at Bentley Gold Coast set for Friday, Sept.30th. Also, please check out their brand new website, www.ShatteringtheSilence.org. Congrats, Angela! (Photos by Steve Starr…click here to view ALL event pics.)

When Cece & Melinda throw a party, it seems like the whole world shows up! Their latest fete, with proceeds benefitting Bear Necessities, was a hit at Il Mulino. The outdoor patio was teeming with fashionables decked out in their summer’s best. And these ladies don’t stop: Their next big event will be the Third Annual Taste of the Gold Coast set for Tuesday, August 23rd, from 6 – 9 PM at The Sutton Place Hotel. Top neighborhood restaurants will participate with their head chefs offering delectable tastings from their gourmet menus. Look for fabulous food from Carmine’s, Il Mulino, Cape Cod, Saloon Steakhouse, Chicago Q, Devon Seafood Grill, Whiskey Bar, RA Sushi, Gaylord, Pane Caldo and many more. Live entertainment will be performed by two popular Gold Coast bands, Lynne Jordan & the Shivers along with Nan Mason & Terry Higgins. There will also be a silent auction benefitting the North Dearborn Association. For tickets, $80-100, please visit www.ceceandmelinda.com. (Tickets will also be offered at the door for $120). I hope to see you there! To view ALL event pics, please click here.)

The Rooftop at Studio Paris, located at 59 W. Hubbard, couldn’t be hotter after its opening this summer! And on Thursday, August 18th, the Women’s Auxiliary of Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s will be hosting an exclusive event at this uber chic River North spot. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the development of the Rooftop Retreat of the world’s LARGEST Ronald McDonald House at 211 E. Grand Ave. in Chicago. Debuting in 2012, this space is designed to give families a chance to relax and replenish after a day at the hospital. The first skyline bricolage will also be featured on the rooftop of the new house and you will have the chance to add your name to a tile at the party! The mosaic will be showcased this night along with the artists. So grab your friends and head to the Roof to benefit the Roof for Ronald McDonald House Charities!!! Tickets are $150 and include cocktails and hors d’oeuvres plus the chance to make a difference…

Get ready to rumble for one of our town’s most popular columnists, STELLA FOSTER! On Friday evening, October 14th, the Chicago Journalists Association will honor Stella with its Lifetime Achievement Award! Her “Stella’s Column” in the Sun-Times, which runs every Tuesday and Thursday, is required reading for scenesters. Born in Chicago and raised in Englewood, her journalism career was officially launched when she began writing for Sister 2 Sister, a national entertainment magazine founded by her sister, Jamie Foster Brown, and husband. In 1969, Brown told Stella that legendary newsman Irv Kupcinet was looking for a new secretary. And the rest, as they say, is history! Tickets are $90. I will see you there! (For tickets and more info, please call 312.458.9792.)

And last but not least, huge kudos for one of the most high-powered peeps I know in the PR and marketing world, Kathleen Henson of Henson Consulting and top model, director and producer, Kasia Koniar (Factor)! These two high-powered dynamos were selected along with three other women to be featured in TCW Magazine’s “Professional Women” article slated for September! The other lucky girls include Nancy Loo (WGN), Noemi Garcia (Fifth Third Bank) and stylist Deshaia Moss (The Image Studios). Congrats to ALL of these deserving women and thanks for spotlighting them, TCW!!!

Another action packed month in the Windy City! Speaking of windy cities, please watch for me on “Windy City Live,” on Channel 7 on Monday, August 8th. I will be giving you MORE of the lowdown on upcoming city highlights! Also, please check out my weekly Tribune column, "Chicago Scene," every Sunday, my Chicago Now blog AND my upcoming internet show, “SOCIAL CIRCLES!” Busy BEE!

Love,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com

P.S. And please tell me if this isn’t one of the cutest videos you’ve seen! Who said dogs don’t have a sense of humor!!!

TWO CHICAGO INSTITUTIONS HOLD BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS: GENE & GEORGETTI AND KATHY O’MALLEY!

Gene & Georgetti owners, Marion and Tony Durpetti, welcomed hundreds of guests over the course of three days as they recently celebrated the 70th anniversary of their legendary restaurant located at 500 N. Franklin. For this momentous occasion, they featured 1940’s décor and offered a prix-fixe, four course menu with old-time favorites that included stuffed celery, minestrone soup, mostaccioli, anchovy canapés, broiled strips, filets and pork chops, chicken Vesuvio and whitefish. Sides included sautéed spinach, broiled mushrooms and cottage fried potatoes. The entire bill (excluding tax and gratuity) was only $15.25. You can certainly see why reservations went faster than Paul McCartney tickets. Guests were seen sipping Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, Rob Roys and Hiballs as they enjoyed the Lucille Ball, Carmen Miranda, Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn and Veronica Lake impersonators. Magician David Kovac enchanted the crowd before the big band, Sway, began at 8:30 with a cake cutting ceremony that included all of the guests. General Manager, Richard Ciota, said, “I don’t work a day in my life. These guys are like my family.” The restaurant served 1,100 lunches and dinners each day and night with ALL proceeds benefitting Common Threads, The Standing Tall Foundation and St. Vincent DePaul Center. Congrats also to Tony and Marion’s daughter, Michelle, for planning and promoting this great three-day celebration for wonderful causes!

Chicago’s Hostess with the Mostest, Kathy O’Malley Piccone, celebrated her 50th birthday in grand style at Moe’s Cantina recently. We have been friends for years and years (truth be known, since Faces days…all of you over 50 will know what I mean!) and she has always been one of the nicest people I know. It’s no wonder Gibson’s is so very successful having her at the front desk meeting and greeting every customer like they are long lost friends. And, in many cases, they are! She’s been featured on the cover of TCW in their “Powerful Women” issue and in many other articles and publications. She should’ve run for Mayor! Her long-time friend, BJ Murray, had been at Moe’s all day inputting tons of photos which were shown on the multiple video screens throughout the venue. Hundreds of friends showed up and stayed into the wee hours of the morning. Long may she reign! Love you Kath! Happy BD!!! (To view more party pics, most by Steve Starr, click here.)

Old St. Pat’s recently celebrated two days of music, food and fun at their 27th Annual World’s Largest Block Party. This is one of the most anticipated events of the summer with almost 20,000 people attending this year. Dubbed the “party with a purpose,” this event featured music by Farraday, Plain White T’s, Cobra Starship, Out for Hours, Spazmatics, No Love for Linus, Matt Nathanson and Barenaked Ladies. The food stands held all of the expected delights of a summer festival and then some including BBQ from Robinson’s Ribs, rotisserie chicken and pork and corn on the cob from Nicholas Quality Meats, Good Humor ice cream, Quang Noodles’ crab Rangoon, pad Thai and shrimp fried rice, burgers and brats from Old St. Pat's Grill & Bones Grill, funnel cakes, foot-long corn dogs, Wisconsin cheddar cheese curds and coconut shrimp from Suzie’s Fun Foods and Connie’s Pizza. In a word, heaven! As one of the celebrity bartenders, I even learned how to pour a perfect cup of beer! FYI, Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy was a run away winner! Other celeb bartenders included Windy City Live’s Ryan Chiaverini, NBC 5 reporter Anthony Ponce, Fox 32 meteorologist Tammie Souza, Fox 32 reporter and anchor Kori Chambers, WGN-TV anchor Lourdes Duarte and ABC 7 reporter John Garcia among others. This event is also a matchmaker’s dream come true having introduced 102 couples, who are now married, after meeting at this Block Party! So mark your calendars now for next year…maybe YOU could be next!!! Proceeds from this event goes towards Old St. Pat’s dozens of global outreach programs. (To view ALL pics, with additional photos by Gary Chang, please click here).

Four hundred guests dressed in their Sunday best to attend Bright Pink's "For the Women We Love" high tea celebration. Celeb TV's Kelli Zink emceed the fourth annual benefit, which raised over $80,000, and also included musical entertainment by former Broadway performer, Laurie Akers, who sang Rascal Flatts' "I Won't Let Go." There were heartfelt and empowering stories from young women in the Bright Pink community as well as the presentation of the "Bright Impact Award" which was presented to Carolyn Brundage, the founder of Pretty City. This successful entrepreneur and beauty columnist has raised nearly $100,000 through her "Pretty in Pink" campaign which benefits breast cancer charities. Bright Pink founder, Lindsay Avner, has created much needed awareness with her organization that supports, enlightens and empowers young women to be proactive with their breast and ovarian health. To learn more and for donations, please visit www.bebrightpink.org. (To view ALL event pics by Steve Feferman, please click here!)

Congrats to another great year for PAWS! Their 9th Annual All Paws on Deck Beach Party was a tail-wagging success! US99’s Lisa Dent, who was the emcee again this year, auctioned off some exciting packages that included two tickets to “Dancing With the Stars” (won again this year by Tails in the City’s Bruce Haas and Phillip Emigh). Judy and Howard Tullman won the right to showcase their five “kids” next year in the always hotly anticipated PAWS poster. This year’s benefit was chaired by Nancy and Ron Officer along with Dawn and Jim O’Neal. PAWS founder, Paula Fasseas, welcomed guests Deborah and Bruce Crown, last year’s co-chair Bonnie and Jim Spurlock, Kim Gleeson, Alexis Fasseas, Kathy Hinton, Christine and John Mallul, Carol and John Walter, Carole Mack, Gigi Ross, Sue and Wes Dixon, Dr. Barbara Royal, Colleen Garard, Lindsay Carlton, Len Goodman, Angie DeMars and Cheri Lawrence to name a few. Presenting sponsors included North Community Bank, Bonnie and Jim Spurlock and Pomellato. This event raised $212,000 this year. Congrats PAWS and keep up the good work in support of our beloved four-legged friends! Mark your calendars now for the Fur Ball coming to the Drake Hotel on Friday, November 11th. For tickets and more info, please visit www.pawschicago.org.

The Service Club of Chicago’s “Day on the Terrace” luncheon and fashion show is just around the corner, August 1st, and I hope you all have your tickets for this 25th annual event which promises to be a show stopping fashion extravaganza featuring real women and men wearing the best Fall 2011 fashions from Chicago’s premier retailers. Participating stores include Escada, Intermix, Luca Luca, Tory Burch, Paul Stuart, Lulu’s at the Belle Kay, Saks Fifth Avenue Men, Mark Shale Women’s and Men’s and a finale presented by Neiman Marcus that will include selections from their evening wear and fur collections. The event, which will be held at the Peninsula, was the first event ever held at this hotel when it first opened 10 years ago. Fashion Chairs include Jean Antoniou, Tracey Di Buono and Hazel Barr. Look for some celebrity guest appearances, too! All proceeds from this popular event benefits the Service Club, which supports grants established by government or corporate entities. Tickets are $175. For tix and more info, please call Jean Antoniou at 630.564.5700.

Congrats to UBS for giving back! Two hundred UBS volunteers participated for the Special Olympics Softball Competition Day at Grant Park this year. This is the 13th year that UBS volunteers have totally produced the two days of fun activities supporting Special Olympic athletes. UBS Head of Community Affairs, Patrick Sheahan, said, “It’s a very fulfilling and rewarding event. Every athlete is a winner and every athlete walks away with a medal.” This year, there were more than 750 participants. Congrats to UBS for being such an excellent example of corporate responsibility!

Step Up Women’s Network will launch its first signature event in Chicago, “Shine & Dine,” on Thursday, August 18th, at Galleria Marchetti beginning at 6 PM. The evening will feature philanthropy and seasonal fare from Chicago’s hottest restaurants while welcoming 400 local professionals and notables. Valerie Warner, co-host of Windy City Live, will serve as Honorary Charo for this inaugural event. Step Up Managing Director, Gina Marotta, said, “Step Up has been a fixture in Chicago for five years and this special event is the perfect way to celebrate our work with local women and girls, as well as attract new enthusiasts to our cause.” I hope to see you there! For tickets and more info, please visit www.suwn.org.

Congrats are in order for friends Leslie Hindman, Amanda Puck and Debra Baum! Leslie had a fantastic half-page article by Melissa Harris in Sunday’s Tribune about her expanding business empire! She will be opening up new locations in Palm Beach and Milwaukee (she recently opened in Naples, too) and she’s busier than ever! Amanda has started a food blog and it’s fantastic! Who better to write about food than AMANDA?! And last but not least, Debra also has a new website devoted to health issues for women over 30. It will have daily updates with a dose of humor!

Good luck and congrats to one and all!!! I hope you are enjoying my new column in the Chicago Tribune called “Chicago Scene.” I am so proud to be the new social columnist for this venerable newspaper that has just been through a major overhaul! My column appears weekly in the Sunday Magazine section, full page, full color! 🙂

And lastly, the launch is coming soon for www.Watch312.com, an online network of Chicago-centric shows! This network and its team of experts from Illinois Center for Broadcasting will provide viewers with a portal connecting them to everything Windy City! DC Crenshaw’s show, "Chicago Unplugged," covers the restaurant scene from top to bottom and everything in-between while Dr. Sandy Goldberg’s call-in show, "LIVE! With Dr. Sandy," will address nutritional and health concerns in a non traditional yet informative way. Her co-host is radio veteran Scott Mackay. As the host for “Social Circles,” I will be bringing you a behind-the-scenes look into charity events, parties, movie premieres, celebrities, nightlife and more! Check it out and let me know what you think! We are still in the early stages with lots of tweaking to do but I wanted to make you aware of all of the excitement to come!!! 🙂

Watch live streaming video from watch312 at livestream.com

And THAT is the lowdown on Chicago’s MANY highlights for this week! Hope to “see” you next week, same time, same place!

Love,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com

P.S. Here is an inspiring video that will put our petty, daily concerns in the right perspective. This young Chinese girl began playing the piano three years ago and she plays masterfully, despite the fact that she has no fingers on her right hand. Miracles are all around us if we just look for them.