CHICAGO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY ALL ABOARD! WONDERLAND EXPRESS DINNER

Chair Susan Tupper(Lake Bluff) and vice-chair Susan Spears(Riverwoods)

The Chicago Horticultural Society hosted their sixth annual All Aboard!Wonderland Express dinner at the Chicago Botanic Garden on Dec. 1 with over 300 guests in attendance. The dinner raised $285,000 that will be used towards the: Garden's Community, Windy City Harvest and Green Youth Farm programs at the Chicago Botanic Garden. These programs aim to help enhance the lives of those living in low-income neighborhoods of Chicago, North Chicago and Waukegan. The dinner was chaired by Susan Tupper of Lake Bluff and Vice chair was Susan Spears of Riverwoods.
The All Aboard! Wonderland Express dinner was presented in three themed rooms: Jaipur, India; Stockholm, Sweden and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Calihan catering provided the sumptuous appetizers to match the theme of the evening as well as dinner consisting of braised short ribs, lobster macaroni and cheese, haricot verts and desert.

SERVICE CLUB 2011 GALA-EL MOROCCO

Dusty Stemmer, Toni Canada, Laurie Davis

Service Club of Chicago held it's annual gala on November 4, 2011 at the Four Seasons hotel-Chicago. This year's gala, the 121st anniversary, went back into time to club El Morocco with amazing decor by Kehoe Designs who transformed the grand ballroom of the four seasons into 1940's elegance and glamour. Dusty Stemmer (mother to Brian Atwood) Laurie Davis (Lulus at the Belle Kay) and Toni Canada Chaired this years gala. President Sherrill Bodine (she's an accomplished author as well!) welcomed guests.

Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini of Windy City Live served as MC's for the evening's festivities. The Ken Arlen Orchestra and Shelly MacArthur Farley entertained the more than 400 guests who dined on a sumptuous meal and sipped champagne all through the night. The silent auction chair Jim Karas coaxed guests to bid on exclusive and amazing items such as: A weekend stay at Skibo Castle, tickets to Mercedes Benz New York Fashion week, South African photo safari experience and much more. Service Club raised $250,000 which will be donated directly back to the organizations they support. They have continually served the civic, educational and cultural needs of Chicago and surrounding communities since 1890. Kudos!

Service Club President Sherril Bodine

WEEKEND ROUNDUP

BETTE MIDLER NY RESTORATION BENEFIT

Chicago's very own Rick Bayless was tapped as the chef to prepare a sumptuous meal for about 900 guests at Bette Midler's NY Restoration benefit dinner. Chef Bayless tweeted:

The New York Restoration project established by Bette Midler in 1995 aims to help restore the landscape of the city parks in different boroughs within the NYC area. Congrats to Chef Bayless and his hardworking staff!

OPRAH. RALPH LAUREN

Rickey Lauren, Ralph Lauren, Oprah Winfrey

On Monday October 24, Oprah Winfrey sat down for a retrospective interview with fashion designer Ralph Lauren. As someone who considers both these iconic figures mentors and inspirations in my head, this was big for both the fashion and philanthropy world. To have these two iconic figures in American culture history sit down for "An Evening with Ralph Lauren" brought out the heavy hitters in the fashion,media and philanthropic world. Audience members included: Wendy Deng Murdoch, Michael J Fox and Tracy Pollan, NBC's Brian Williams, Kerry Washington, Jonathan Groff,Bravo's Andy Cohen, Camilla Belle, Desiree Rogers, Glenda Bailey, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff to name a few.

The event raised in the ballpark of $7 million for both the Lincoln Center and the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention.

31ST ANNUAL MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY COLUMBIAN BALL

The 31st Annual Columbian Ball gala at the Musuem of Science and Industry celebrated today’s leading inventors. Nearly 800 guests were received by Gala co-chairs: Jackie and Glenn Tilton, Dianna Strassman and Jeff Smisek, Pat and David Mosena. Guests in attendance were the who’s who and civic leaders of Chicago including: Honorary Chair for the ball Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Julie and Jeremy Unruh, David and Susan Axelrod, Linda Johnson Rice, Desiree Rogers, Neal Zucker, Bill Kurtis, Donna La Pietra, Alison and Dean Chung and many more. Mr. Mosena, who made a short speech before dinner was served, noted that the Science Rediscovered campaign raised almost $209 million surpassing their goal of $205 million. Inventors recognized that evening included Chef Homaro Cantu of Moto whose creative inventions inspired the nights menu(the “cuban cigar ashtray” was inspired by Larry’s apartment from Three’s Company) Dickson Despommier of Vertical Farm Project and Marques McCammon & Paul Wilbur of Aptera Motors. Guests started off the evening with a cocktail reception in the Rotunda while viewing the Fast Forward…Inventing the Future exhibit.

When Mayor Emanuel walked in there was a bit of commotion around him with people wanting to shake his hand or get a picture. I must say he moves through a crowd faster than the golden snitch in a quidditch game. There was no awkwardness between Desiree Rogers and David Axelrod, with Ms. Rogers assuring him she was calling him within the week for lunch but who was the young man that was her date?

Sponsors for the evening included: Presenting sponsor- JP Morgan Chase & Co, United Airlines. Allstate, Citadel Foundation, Tiffany & Co. Exelon, Northern Trust, Abbott, Crown Family + many others

Décor by Heffernen Morgan Ronsley really complimented the events theme. Food was provided by Jewell Catering. AV Sound and lighting by FROST Chicago.

Fun night!

 John and Connie Jaeger Jane and Dave Johnson

 Ed and Karen Sugay, Lynn and Steve Collins 

 BEST DRESS OF THE NIGHT!!

CARNEGIE MEDAL OF PHILANTHROPY

Thomas Pritzker, Cindy Pritzker, former Chicago Mayor Richard Daley

The Andrew Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy is awarded to one or more individual, every two years, who dedicate their private wealth to public good and sustained careers as philanthropists. Chicago is excited to have two recipients from notable families as recipients of the award this year. The Crown Family and Pritzker Family.
The Carnegie Award was established in December 2010 by 20 of the institutions Andrew Carnegie established worldwide.
Mr. Carnegie is an example to many wealthy philanthropists today who dedicate part of their lives to giving back.
I find this very refreshing amidst news of corporate greed and occupy(insert city name), there are people  who share their wealth. The crown and Pritzker family have a long history of donating money to different causes in Chicago and I hope they continue and more people should see them as an example making a difference and spreading their wealth.

The other winners were: The Danforth Family, Fiona and Stanley Druckenmiller, Fred Kavli, Evelyn and Leonard Lauder, Jo Carole and Ronald Lauder, Li Ka-Shing, Pierre and Pamela Omidyar and The PEW Charitable Trust. Past recipients have included: Brooke Astor, NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Heinz Family, Ted Turner, Gates Family.

CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN HARVEST BALL 2011

 Harvest Ball Co-Chair Kimberly Burt, Riley O'Neil, Peyton Merrill

Annie Barlow and Julie Selakovitch -Auction Co-chairs

Guests sipped on Moët champagne

The Guild of the Chicago Botanic Garden held its Thirteenth Annual Harvest Ball recently on the beautiful, early fall grounds of the Chicago Botanic Garden. Over 500 guests attended the black tie garden party, raising $450,000 for the Learning Center, which provides educational programs for teachers and youth from pre-Kindergarten through 12^th grade.

Events co-chairs were  Kimberly Burt of Chicago, Peyton Merrill of Winnetka and Riley O’Neil of Chicago

The live auction, held over dinner, featured items such as an intimate cocktail reception for twenty that cames with a $10,000 gift certificate from GRAFF, five-night stay for two at the Four Seasons Resort, Nevis, West Indies; a weekend stay and tickets to the 2012 Kentucky Derby; and a family vacation to A Bar A Ranch in Wyoming.

Calihan Catering provided dinner and flowers were designed by Botanicals

More pictures

APOLLO IN THE HAMPTONS

Ron Perlman, Jaime Foxx, Dick Parsons

Jon Bon Jovi and wife Dorothea, L.A Reid and wife Erica

The 2nd Annual Apollo in the Hamptons was a fundraiser held Aug 20 hosted by Billionaire Philanthropist Ron Perleman at his East Hampton's estate. Guests enjoyed dinner prepared by Chef Marcus Samuelsson and his Red rooster/Aquavit team. (Chef Samuelsson also owns the Chicago restaurant C-House atop the Affinia Hotel). Alicia Keys, Jamie Foxx (who also acted as MC for the evening), Jon Bon Jovi all performed for guests. Proceeds from the event supports the educational programs offered by the esteemed music Theatre. A who's who of some of the most rich famous and powerful philanthropist were out to support the cause and enjoy a nice Hampton's Summer night. More pictures--->>>

WADE'S WORLD FATHER/SON BASKETBALL CAMP

***UPDATED WITH OFFICIAL EVENT PICTURES**

 To kick off the 4th annual weekend-long Wade's World Foundation lineup of events, Dwyane Wade hosted the first Father + Son basketball camp at the Lake Shore Athletic Club today (8/25).  While speaking with the participants Mr. Wade, Jr. emphasized the importance of communication between parent and child. Dwyane Wade's father, Dywane Wade, Sr. was also present and had the opportunity to speak with the participants. He explained that even though he didn't have a great relationship with his son growing up, he's made up for lost time and takes the time to appreciate him. He spoke to the fathers "to do some good things in front of your kids." "It's time for us to stand up and get them away from these streets, educate them to be our future leaders." Mr. Wade, Jr was presented with his Father of the Year award by Roland Warren of the National Fatherhood Initiative The basketball camp was facilitated by ProCamps based in Cincinnati,OH

Chefs and the City Tasting & Fashion Show

Vital Bridges will be hosting a Chef's and The City Gala this Friday July 15 at the Ritz Carlton
Some of the chefs involved are: Giuseppe Tentori of G&T Oyster and The Boka Group; Patty Rothman of more cupcakes; Chris Pandel of Bristol; Top Chef Alums Stephanie Izard and Dale Levitsky; Recent contestant on "Roccos Dinner Party" and Tavernita  Chef Ryan Poli plus many many more amazing Chicago chefs

Host Committee:

Rob Andrews & Keith Largay • Chuck Benya • David Bornstein • Allison & William Brigden • Russ and Suzanne Campion • Dr. Greg Coccaro & Doug Turold • Mark Cozzi • Joyce Dawson • Melanie Elston • John Flaherty, MD • Jesse Garza • Julie &; Dan Hess • Debbie Hinde • Michael Humphrey & Tim Sullivan • Pete Kingma & Thom Lambert • Tom Konopiots & Mike Stornello • Janie & Strib Koster • Bill Lasche • Chris Lueking • Bill McCormack • Scott McLellan

• Maggie & Michael Murzanski • Ron Nunziato • Chris Olofson & Keith Shimko • Stacey & Larry Ortega • Clint Paton • Tom Pickett • Tom Polucci • Amanda Puck • Kevin Romero • Ryan Ruskin & Michael Andrews • Kathy Saddemi • David Sanchez • Emily Santos • Dan Santow • Nancy Collins Schumacher • Leslie & Robert Shook • Susan Silver • Stewart Smith • Roger Todebush • Rich Varnes

• Anthony Vayos & Bil Bertini

 TICKETS AND MORE INFO