Flash!: Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival; Big Brothers Big Sisters roast

MORE THAN A MEAL: Daniel and Rachel Sepulveda view silent auction items during the More Than a Meal Gala at the Light of Life Ministries in the West Lounge of Heinz Field on the North Shore. Oct. 21, 2014.

J. J. Richardson and Michelle Cassidy get on board an old Racer car from Kennywood during the Big Brothers Big Sisters Roast of Tom VanKirk at the Heinz History Center in the Strip District. Oct. 23, 2014.

WELL DONE: Big Brother Joey Troupe and Ashley Dominick were among the guests at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Roast of Tom VanKirk at the Heinz History Center in the Strip District. Oct. 23, 2014.

WELL DONE: WPXI news anchor Brittny McGraw boards at trolley at the Heinz History Center in the Strip District during the Big Brother Big Sister Roast of Tom VanKirk. Oct. 23, 2014.

WELL DONE: Roasters Nan DeTurk, Bill Newlin, Kevin McMahon and Tom Grealish prepare to skewer guest of honor Tom VanKirk during the Big Brothers Big Sisters Roast at the Heinz History Center in the Strip District. Oct. 23, 2014.

WELL DONE: Dan Onorato and Big Brothers Big Sisters CEO Jan Glick were among the guests at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Roast of Tom VanKirk at the Heinz History Center in the Strip District. Oct. 23, 2014.

CELEBRATING SENIORS: Mark Bondi and Mary Ann Sander during the Celebrating Senior Champions – UPMC Senior Services at the Omni William Penn, October 23, 2014.

CELEBRATING SENIORS: Mark Bondi and Mary Ann Sander during the Celebrating Senior Champions – UPMC Senior Services at the Omni William Penn, October 23, 2014.

CELEBRATING SENIORS: Barbara and Ed ivanko during the Celebrating Senior Champions – UPMC Senior Services at the Omni William Penn, October 23, 2014.

MORE THAN A MEAL: Former Steelers Tunch Ilkin and Craig Wolfley served as emcees during the More Than a Meal Gala at the Light of Life Ministries in the West Lounge of Heinz Field on the North Shore. Oct. 21, 2014.

HERE'S WHAT'S UP: Timothy Johnson and Lisa Garland were among the guests at McCormick and Schmick's Downtown for the W.H.A.T.’s Up? gathering to benefit the Ward Home. Oct. 23, 2014.

POURING IT ON: Mike O’Brien, Red Schiller and Chad Merriweather during Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival – Supports Team Tassy at the Rivers Casino on Friday, October 24, 2014.

POURING IT ON: Ted Bakon and Michelle Bonsick during Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival – Supports Team Tassy at the Rivers Casino on Friday, October 24, 2014.

POURING IT ON: Kevin Reath and Rob Rossi during Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival – Supports Team Tassy at the Rivers Casino on Friday, October 24, 2014.

POURING IT ON: Jack Stein and Amie Homa during Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival – Supports Team Tassy at the Rivers Casino on Friday, October 24, 2014.

POURING IT ON: Edward Murray during Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival – Supports Team Tassy at the Rivers Casino on Friday, October 24, 2014.

HIGH HONORS: Nate Firestone, Camille Hand and Teddy Nisenbaum during the Zionist Organization of America Awards Dinner at Congregation Beth Shalom on Wednesday, October 22, 2014.

HIGH HONORS: Amy Weiss, Morris Horvitz and Debbie Horvitz during the Zionist Organization of America Awards Dinner at Congregation Beth Shalom on Wednesday, October 22, 2014.

HIGH HONORS: Ira Frank, Corey O’Connor, Dan Gilman and Mike Doyle during the Zionist Organization of America Awards Dinner at Congregation Beth Shalom on Wednesday, October 22, 2014.

HOPE FOR HAITI “The need is as great as ever,” said founder and executive director Bishop Leon Pamphile (left) during the 28th annual banquet of the Functional Literacy Ministry of Haiti. “It’s important to keep hope alive for them in as many ways possible as we can.” FLM, whose mission is empower the residents of Haiti through education, health care, and hope, welcomed guests to the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary on October 25. Also pictured is Russell Bynum.

MORE THAN A MEAL Light of Life Rescue Mission continued its commitment to helping the poor and homeless achieve a Christ-centered recovery while also making sure their immediate needs are met with its More than a Meal Gala on October 21. Held in the West Club Lounge of Heinz Field, the event drew 250 guests and was emceed by former Steelers Tunch Ilkin and Craig Wolfley. Pictured are Bonnie Brakenridge and Erich Smith.

HIGH HONORS: The Zionist Organization of America, founded in 1897 and the oldest pro-Israel organization in the country, hosted an awards dinner at Congregation Beth Shalom in Squirrel Hill on October 22. Ronna Harris Askin and Rhonda Horvitz, pictured, were honored with the Israel Service Award and the Natalie E. Novick Community Leadership Award, respectively, while Mayor Bill Peduto received ZOA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Co-chairs included Rich Fitzgerald, Jim Roddey, Brian Schreiber, David Shapiro, and Dr. Cyril Wecht.

HERE’S WHAT’S UP: “We try to change their trajectory and introduce them to opportunities they never thought they’d have,” said Ward Home executive director Daryl Lucke during the inaugural happy-hour reception. Held at the downtown location of McCormick & Schmicks on October 23, W.H.A.T.’s Up?, an acronym for “Ward. Home. At-risk. Teens,” included the presence of alum Michael Johnson, whose decision to go to college was inspired by a Ward Home retreat. “That was the single most influential moment,” he shared. The organization, established in 1905, teaches life skills to foster teens ages 16-21 with a focus on education. “That’s the true road to independence,” Lucke added. Pictured are guests Bever-leigh Wisdom and Eboni Le'Sense.

WELL DONE: What happened at the roast, stayed at the roast for those still reveling in the flambe of Highmark Health executive vice president and chief legal officer Tom VanKirk (pictured with his wife, Bonnie) on October 23. “It’s hard not to be nervous when four people are about to unleash on you,” he observed before the games began. Displaying nerves of steel, he good-heartedly braced for an attack by roasters Nan DeTurk, Bill Newlin and Tom Grealish, who all zinged with glee, as well as self-reported “good guy,” Kevin McMahon, president of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. “As a member of our board, Tom is one of my many bosses. I have nothing but great things to say about this man … hopefully I’ll still have a job by the end of the night.” Benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh, the event included an introduction to stage-stealer “Little,” Gordon Missouri, whose first-ever public speaking was met with a well-deserved standing O. The evening was emceed by WPXI's Brittny McGraw.

WELL DONE: Gordon Missouri (right) joins his Big Brother Joey Troupe during the Big Brother Big Sister Roast of Tom VanKirk at the Heinz History Center in the Strip District. Oct. 23, 2014.

CELEBRATING SENIORS: Nick and Dotty Beckwith (pictured with UPMC Community Provider Services prexy Deborah Brodine), Barbara Ivanko, and Margaret Mary Kimmel were all honored during the 6th annual Celebrating Senior Champions benefit on October 23. Held at the Omni William Penn, the event was hosted by UPMC Senior Services and Aging Institute of UPMC Senior Services and The University of Pittsburgh. Proceeds supported the UPMC Senior Communities Benevolent Care Program, which provides a variety of support to eligible seniors residing in any one of UPMC’s 20 retirement communities.

GOLDEN ANCHOR Anchorpoint Counseling Ministry honored E. Alan Bates, Trinity Jewelers, the Molyneaux family and St. Paul’s Methodist Church during its Golden Anchor Gala on October 23. Held at LeMont, the evening was chaired by Holly Joy Penzenstadler. Proceeds benefited ACM’s mission of providing professional counseling, tutoring, and parent education to those in need. Pictured are Andrea, Therese and Patrick Molyneaux.

POURING IT ON: “I have to turn away a lot of people … this one just keeps going,” said Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival GM Dale Markham (pictured). The event drew 1,500 to the Rivers Casino on October 24 where a line of eager ticket holders began forming well before the doors opened. The runway-themed event benefited Team Tassy, whose mission is to eliminate global poverty.

POURING IT ON: Bob McCrory, Ed Harrell and Ken McCrory during Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival – Supports Team Tassy at the Rivers Casino on Friday, October 24, 2014.

GOODBYE WILLPOWER: Willpower was left at the door of the Wyndham Grand on October 19, thanks to a handful of culinary giants including Donato Coluccio (Donato’s) and Dean Gress (Wyndham) who were ready to tempt the masses out of good behavior during the Steel Chef Challenge. The event benefitted Community Liver Alliance, which provides support to individuals – as well as their families and caregivers – who are dealing with liver issues. Pictured are co-chairs Vannessa Hibbert and Margaret Andrzejewski.

PINK RIBBON ROUND UP: Guests of the Pink Ribbon Round-Up kicked off their boots during a western-themed gala at the Four Points Sheraton in Cranberry on Oct. 24. Since being founded in 2006, the organization has raised more than $220K for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Pictured are Kathy Purcell, CEO of Susan G. Komen, Pittsburgh Affiliate, and Patricia Hodder, prexy and founder of Pink Ribbon Round-Up.

GOLDEN ANCHOR: Sharon Hachman, Holly Joy Penzenstadler and Fr. Joe Mele during the Golden Anchor Gala – Anchorpoint Counseling Ministry at the LeMont on Thursday, October 23, 2014.

GOLDEN ANCHOR: Bonnie Brimmeier, Alan Bates and Lauren Bates during the Golden Anchor Gala – Anchorpoint Counseling Ministry at the LeMont on Thursday, October 23, 2014.

GOODBYE WILLPOWER: Cameron Mele of Nine on Nine adds pepper to kabocha risotto at the Wyndham Hotel in Downtown during the Steel Chef Challenge to benefit the Community Liver Alliance. Oct. 19, 2014.

GOODBYE WILLPOWER: Community Liver Alliance founder and president Joanne Grieme joins liver transplant recipient Bo Garritano at the Wyndham Hotel in Downtown during the Steel Chef Challenge to benefit the Community Liver Alliance. Oct. 19, 2014.

GOODBYE WILLPOWER: Table settings await diners at the Wyndham Hotel in Downtown during the Steel Chef Challenge to benefit the Community Liver Alliance. Oct. 19, 2014.

HOPE FOR HAITI: Mycaiah Clemons, My'iesha Clemons, Tonie Clemons-Vaughn and Mycah Clemons were among the guests attending the FLM-Haiti's Annual Banquet and Art Sale at the Pittsburgh Theoglogical Seminary in Highland Park. Oct. 25, 2014.

HOPE FOR HAITI: The Rev. Dr. James Moran and Dara Marner were among the guests attending the FLM-Haiti's Annual Banquet and Art Sale at the Pittsburgh Theoglogical Seminary in Highland Park. Oct. 25, 2014.