Goodness, gracious, great balls of Eire, St. Paddy’s Day and the American Ireland Fund gala packed ’em in at the East Club Lounge at Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Where the Super Bowl XL trophy was a magnet for 750 of the famous, the rich, the Irish who were painting the town green at Dan and Art Rooney’s lavish bash. Everywhere you looked there were players, big players who paid $800-$5,000 a ticket to promote peace, culture and charity throughout Ireland, a wee country the size of Pennsylvania. The AIF was founded right here in 1976 by the Steelers’ hall-of-fame chairman Dan Rooney and Tony O’Reilly of the H.J. Heinz Co. Today, it’s the world’s largest private foundation helping the people of Ireland — North and South — to help themselves. And Friday marked its 30th anniversary. Saints preserve us, if’n the clubhouse hadn’t been transformed into an Irish pub with facades, murals and antiques from the auld sod. A charming setting for the damsels who went for it in long and luxe. Many wore shades of green and most of the boyos sported green ties. The irresistible band, Guaranteed Irish, kept us Eire-borne at cocktails, while the lassies of the Pittsburgh Irish Reelers kicked up their heels in airs and jigs. Stunning ice sculptures of the Emerald Isle’s famous castles marked the buffet stations overflowing with shellfish (it’s Lent, you know) … and brogues were liltin’ at the bar. CMU’s pipers and drummers led guests into the dining area to tuck into a superlative Celtic menu at green-napped tables centered with shamrock ice sculptures. Sure ‘n ’tis true, Seamus, what we had here was the finest Hibernian foray in years … without any kinda auctioneering, speechifying or video presentation that causes the fun to fizzle. Just a few witty remarks by the hosts and honorees and, here’s a little magic to believe in, at 9:30 o’clock, Sputzy and the Soul Providers struck up the band for dancing. And takin’ care of Guinness at the Irish coffee bar afterwards. “Where’s me pot o’gold?” shouted the leprechaun. He needn’t have worried. Thanks to the muscle of honorees David Roderick , former chairman of U.S. Steel, and Congressman John Murtha (Roderick called Murtha “a quiet man until four months ago!”), the eve raised more than $1 million. Here’s an idea of the green carpet crowd: AIF prez Kingsley Aikens ; colleens Pat and Greta Rooney with the vast Rooney clan; Bishop Donald Wuerl ; Gov. Ed Rendell ; mayors past and present Tom Murphy and Bob O’Connor with Mona and Judy ; Catharine and John Ryan ; Audrey and Tim Fisher ; Steve and Helen Hanna Casey ; Nancy and Dave Malone ; Duquesne U’s Dr. Charles Dougherty ; Laura and Mark Schreiner ; Seton Hill U’s Dr. Joanne Boyle and Art ; Cindy and Andy Russell ; Kathy and Morgan O’Brien ; Larry Tamburri ; Bonnie and Tom VanKirk ; Robert Morris U’s Dr. Gregory Dell’omo and Polly ; Susan and Dave Matter ; Mary Anne and Hoddy Hanna ; and Steve Zylstra . More smiling Irish eyes: Dr. Mary Hines of Carlow U; Cate and Mike Linn ; the Rev. Sean Hogan ; Leslie and Randy McCombs ; Holly Buffinton and Victor Bove ; Drs. Ellen and Loren Roth ; Bob Lewis ; Mikell and Bill Schenck ; Anne and Ted McWilliams ; Jack McGinley ; Deb and Bill Foster ; Cel and Gerry McCabe ; Brenda and Dave Roger ; Mary and Mike Ford ; Larry Rhoades and Mary Withrow ; Von Campanella ; Candace Otto and dad Bill ; Mary Lee and Steve Tello ; Debi Wheeler ; Barbara and Randy Hlavsa ; Mary and Tony Burlando ; and lucky Lisa Cusick , who won the posh trip for two to Ireland’s Ashford and Dromoland Castles. And all that shamrockery.

Fabulous Firsts

By day, the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is a primo- must-see-and-play destination for local youngsters. But after dark Saturday, the North Side wonderland welcomed some 200 black-ties for a Collection of Firsts soiree. “It’s been an incredible year,” said the always-radiant CMP director Jane Werner (with Bob Rutkowski ) as guests grazed on lite bites under a canopy of giant balloons touting such firsts as as the prestigious American Institute of Architects Honor Award for Architecture. All the play areas had been magically transformed into intimate dining spots for the Duquesne Club’s fine dine, followed by dessert and dancing to the George Gee orchestra in the Grand Hall. Among the first nighters were board prez Judith Horgan with Steve Pavsner ; county exec Dan Onorato and Shelly ; Jen and Brooks Broadhurst ; Beth Wainwright and Russ Kemerer ; Libby and Michael Mascaro ; Warhol’s Tom Sokolowski ; Harris Ferris of Pittsburgh Ballet; Beth Ann and Frank Fuhrer ; Nancy and Steven Cohen ; BJ and Jeff Lebe r; Nancy Hart ; Michele and Dr. Edward Barksdale ; Holly Houston and Rick Lerach ; Ann Kelton and Dr. Jeffrey Hritz ; and Jodi and Zeb Golomb . — John Altdorfer

Traffic Pattern

CBS News anchor Bob Schieffer was the drawing card at the Traffic Club of Pittsburgh’s splendid 104th annual dinner on Thursday at the Hilton for some 1,200 black-ties … leaders of the transportation industry, which just happens to be the second largest industry in America (agriculture ranks first). Indeed, gentle reader, our global economy couldn’t exist without these movers and shippers and, since you asked, Pittsburgh is one of the largest inland ports in the country. No, they have nothing to do with programming red lights or directing rush-hour traffic. Instead, the club’s rich history of encouraging and protecting trade and commerce dates back to Steel City’s glory days, and its membership roster includes professionals from Canada, Europe and Mexico. The eve also awarded scholarships to four high-achieving university students majoring in transportation. Moving along, we spotted TCP prez Dave Fleming ; Christopher Navetta ; emcee John Pivak ; James McCarville ; Nadine Bognar ; U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Wyman Briggs ; Bob Schaefer ; Louise Scott ; Chuck Hammel ; Peter Stephaich ; Mark Devinney ; U.S. Army Col. Stephen Hill ; Mary Ann Bucci ; Walter Turner ; Peter Lilly ; John Pranaitis ; Bill Porter ; James Guttman ; Jerry Rutka ; John Buchanan ; Ken Schaefer and Lonnie Wilson of Texas; Michigan’s Harvey Gainey ; Frank Lester of Chicago; Nebraska’s Brian Maher ; and James Bradley of Wheeling.

Hitting Home

Hoddy Hanna is known as a man of steadfast determination, integrity and verve. Qualities that have helped fast-track Howard Hanna Real Estate Services into the largest family-owned real estate company in the tri-state area and beyond. And in the good deeds department, the Hannas are zoned top-tier philanthropists. Thursday, as a stellar turnout of 400 at the Westin Convention Center hotel gave clear title to his standing among our town’s power brokers, Hoddy was tapped with the National American Heritage Award, the Anti-Defamation League’s highest honor. The eve also raised nearly $200,000, a record sum to help continue ADL’s mission of fighting bigotry and securing liberty, justice and fair treatment for all. Cheering the man of the hour were such as Hoddy’s bride Mary Anne and clan Hanna; keynoter Dr. Alan Kraut of American University; ADL Pgh. Council chair Steve Irwin ; Joe Friedman ; Dr. John Fung in from the Cleveland Clinic; Karen Wolk Feinstein ; Alan and Pat Siger ; Milt Washington ; Bob Lewis ; Larry Gumberg ; Elliott Finkel ; Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll ; Pat and Alan Siger ; Howard Slaughter ; Roger Oxendale ; Eddie Ifft ; Jason Matthews ; emcee Stacy Smith ; J eanette Ho ; Anna Silberman ; John McCann ; and Aaron Walton .

NEED to Know

Being a National Honors Society student or a gifted musician with an awesome GPA isn’t always a ticket to a first-rate college or university. Books, dorm fees and pizza aren’t covered by a scholarship or grant. That’s where NEED (Negro Educational Emergency Drive) enters the picture with “last dollar” funding for African-American scholars who have been accepted, but need the extra bucks to make college happen. And NEED reached out to 44 in the class of 2006. The University of Wisconsin’s Dr. Lee Jones , keynoter of Wednesday’s inspired 43rd annual NEED benefit dinner at the Hilton, encouraged the young scholars to believe in themselves, “to be on the way, not in the way.” Here and there among 750 guests, were such heads of area colleges and universities as Dr. Tori Haring Smith , Dr. Mary Hines , Dr. Kwesi Aggrey , Robert Smith , Sr. Candace Introcaso , Dr. Javier Cevellos , Wallace Arnold , Brian Johnson and Dr. Joseph Grunenwald . As well as benefit co-chairs Carol Word and Dr. Bill Trueheart ; NEED chair Greg Spencer and director Sylvester Pace ; Chris Allison ; County Exec Dan Onorato ; hizzoner Bob O’Connor ; Esther Bush ; Valerie McDonald Roberts ; Dick Willey ; Denise and Peter Speaks ; and Peggy Harris .

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