Get Reel

"When Pittsburgh calls, I'm there," declared Rob Marshall , native son and director of the Oscar-winning film "Chicago," at Saturday night's throw-a-rock, hit-a-talent blowout bash at the Andy Warhol Museum. The call he took came from a band of Pittsburghers who have launched the Steeltown Entertainment Project to bring Hollywood back to Mister Rogers' neighborhood. Where "Rob learned All that Jazz, Shirley Jones found her Music Man, George Romero rose from the dead, and Flashdance got its Flash!"

Founded by femmes fabulous Ellen Weiss Kander , prime-time TV producer/writer Maxine Lapiduss (she and Rob went to the Allderdice prom together) and "St. Elmo's Fire" dynamic screenwriter/visiting Pitt professor Carl Kurlander , the project aims to create a mini-Sundance Festival here. And turn the region into an entertainment capital.

Earlier at WQED's studios, they staged a summit bringing together our show-biz expats who are generating billions in Tinseltown with investors and politicos who can help make it happen by creating the same tax incentives that have filmmakers flocking to Canada. We're talking talents with Hollywood heat and the power to use it. Even money says they can shift projects from the West Coast to Pittsburgh. And they paid their own way here to tell us that. Why• Because, as Rob allowed, "You never stop being a Pittsburgher."

If it's all about location-location, at 500 fans the scene was standing-room-only at the hippest party venue in town. Legendaries Lenora Nemetz (Rob was prez of her fan club!) and Joe Negri supplied the Broadway beat. And get this. Along with chi-chi hors d'oeuvres, you could dig into Mineo's pizza, Primanti's sandwiches, Isaly's chipped ham and pierogies. There was a forest of white orchids on tables and Lemon Blennd containers spiked with red gerbers. Do you love it• But the reel buzz was the premiere showing of the documentary, Pittsburgh: Hollywood's Best Kept Secret," created by award-winning docu-filmmaker Laura Davis and hubby Tjardus Greidanus that showcased the project.

If it's all about proud parents wanting to see more of their kids back home, they were sharing the spotlight with their high achievers. Folks like Thelma Gold Landay (she booked talent for the old Holiday House) with son Eric Gold , manager of Jim Carrey and Ellen Degeneres; Babs Widdoes with her sitcom producer son Jamie ; "Matrix" producer Bernie Goldmann , son of Rita Seltman and Stan Goldmann ; "Ice Age" screenwriter Peter Ackerman with father Alan ; and Ruth and Alan Garfinkel with son Asher of Readers Unlimited.

Amid the bytes and bits, the stories and scoops, intriguing folks cropped up everywhere ... from home plate to Hollywood. Actor David Conrad ("Miss Match") was there; as was "Lizzie Maguire" creator Terri Minsky; Jack Smith , "The Young and the Restless" producer; Christine and George Romero ; "Chicago" and Oscar-awards entertainer Billy Hartung with Sharon ; "The Nanny" writer and Maxine's sister Sally Lapiduss (their fab mom, entertainer Esther , was not well enough to attend); Louisa Rosenthal (her son Mark heads the MTV network); Oscar-winning director ("Traffic") Steven Soderbergh 's mom Midge with Jack St. Martin; Ailene Lange (her son George is an award-winning photographer); filmmaker Charlie Humphrey and producer Henry Simonds; Richard Rauh ; CLO's Van Kaplan; Dawn Keezer; Lisa Frankovitch; Canice Kennedy ; Ellen's hubby Greg Kander; Sally Levin (her son's into furniture); and Mario Melodia (Rob and sister Kathleen were his students).

As well as Diane and Glen Meakem; Teri and Damian Soffer; Jim Rudolph ; Carl's wife Natalie Kurlander (the reason he's here); Susie and Gregg Perelman; Anne and Eddie Lewis; Sydelle Kessler; Edie Engel; Judith Dorian; Caroline Stewart and son Charlie; Joan and Jerry Apt ; Drs. Ellen and Loren Roth; Shelly Tolo (working behind the scenes); Brenda and Boris Weinstein (Eric Gold is his nephew); agent Deb Docherty and Evan Schapira ; PCTV chair Barry Hamlette and Kyra Straussman ; Caryl and Dominic Mineo; Ida Mae and Jim Rich; Judith Thomas ; City Councilman Bill Peduto; Gladys Burstin; Josie Palmer and Bert Sokol ; Dr. Andrew Miller ; the Marilyn Kanes; Leslie Merrill McCombs ; Dr. Donna Durno and Dan Torisky; Julie Morris; Nancy Polinsky and David Johnson; Judy and David Ehrenwerth; Deb Schiller ; and Barbara Rackoff with Dr. Richard Wechsler .

Ready for a DeMille-worthy closeup.

Stanley Gumberg is known as a man of steadfast determination, conviction and nerve. Qualities that have fast-tracked the J.J. Gumberg Co. into a nationally ranked real estate investment and development organization based in Pittsburgh. Although he shines bright as a philanthropist, he's shy about any P.R and is as difficult to pin down as quicksilver. But the Waterworks Mall in Fox Chapel is just one of his success stories.

Wednesday, as a record turnout at the Omni William Penn ballroom gave clear witness to his standing among our town's power brokers in business, the arts, education, religion and politics, Stanley was tapped with the "Tree of Life Award," Jewish National Fund 's highest honor.

CMU's Jared Cohon, Mark Nordenberg of Pitt, Elsie Hillman , Mellon's Marty McGuinn and PNC's Jim Rohr co-chaired the benefit that raised more than $300,000 toward JNF's mission of transforming Israel into a land of lush green hills and vales. And there were as many Christians as Jews among the 600 guests cheering the man of the hour.

Here are but a few: Indeed, Stanley's wife Marcia , sons Ira, Larry and Andy with their brides Dr. Anita, Ina , and Christy Gumberg ; Rabbi Walter Jacob ; Bishop Donald Wuerl ; Elin and Chief County Exec Jim Roddey as emcee; Ellen and Dr. Stan Marks; Liz and Dr. John Murray of Duquesne U.; Art and Dr. JoAnne Boyle of Seton Hill; Dave Roderick ; Helen and Henry Posner; Ellsworth Brown; Kevin McMahon; Nadine Bognar ; LaRoche's Monsignor William Kerr; Barbara and Dr. Gene Myers; David Hunter; Jim Stalder ; Drs. Ellen and Loren Roth; Joanie and Sam Kamin; George Miles; Lois and Dan Lackner; Mary and Ivan Novick; Amy and Ira Morgan; Phyllis and Marv Jacobson; Jesse Cohen; Carol Davis and father Bob; Mary Jane and Carl Grefenstette; Nancy and Bill Rackoff ; Dr. Elliott Kramer and Bill Modrak; Dee Bold; Aaronel and Irv Gruber; Marshall Katz; Jeff Blum ; JNF prez Josh Resnick and director Bobbi Elmer .

Breaking new ground.

Hot Pink Pittsburgh tied a pink ribbon around the Byham Theater on Monday night. To help fight breast and cervical cancer during this special month of awareness, many who beat the disease, and those who love them, showed for a celebration of life.

The most striking feature about Hot Pink is not the number of women who wore the color, but the richness of its concept and the generosity of our dancers and musicians who delivered razor-sharp performances. And donated their all to the cause. As well as the caterers who did the delicious graze for nearly 900 guests before and after showtime.

In step with the strut, steam and sizzle that raised over $135,000 to fund Family Health Council 's program of annual exams for uninsured women in our region, were benefit chairs Becky and Dick Duke ; FHC chair Dr. Peg Watt-Morse and prez Richard Baird; Laurie Moser; Eileen Lane; Carol Caroselli; Cheryl Kubelick and daughter Olivia ; emcee Sally Wiggin of WTAE-TV (love her new short locks!); Eva Blum; Michele Fabrizi; Jackie Dixon; Laura Kronk and daughter Trinity ; Point Park College's Katherine Henderson and Sue Oatey; Nancy Moulton; Lonnie Silver; Carol and Herb Diamond; Mimi Pricelac and Ralph Falbo; Julie Dever; Inez Miles; Susan Wagner; Cheryl Sills; Jean and Jack Purcell; Arlene and Tim Snyder; Peggy Snavely; Betsy Wotherspoon ; and Lynne Marchese .

Pink arabesque.

"I am truly into comfort food," allowed star whisk Bob Sendall at Shady Side Cooks at the Fox Chapel Golf Club, an elegant setting for 300 women with a high-maintenance gloss. Not so, unless one equates comfort to his knee-weakening autumn squash soup garnished with diced pear, the opening salvo in Wednesday's cooking demo and dine. Bob was doing serious power cooking before there was such a thing. And his dinner parties are all, well, kind of perfect.

Why such a hot draw• Because he's the most consistently acclaimed chef-event planner to the rich and famous here and in Palm Springs, Calif. (where he spends the winter), through his All in Good Taste Productions. An added bonus: along with his partner, Debbie Mortillaro (she owns Palate Partners in the Strip), they donated an evening of tapas and wines for 14 guests at Bob's home which Dr. Kavita Sinha captured at $5,500. Albeit with sides of caviar and pate in his desert digs, since Dr. Sinha and her family are moving to Palm Springs next year.

Sponsored by Shady Side Academy's Senior School Parents' Association to benefit its students and programs, SSA holds to its own high standards as one of the top private schools, K-12, in the area.

The ambience was festive, with pots of herbs and gourds decorating tabletops, and the food superb. A Fanfare to Slo Casey and Shereen Rosenberg , who chaired the edible complex. And attracted such foodies as Teri Soffer; Mary Costa ; artist Judy Perlow who created the fab event posters; emcee Sally Wiggin of WTAE-TV; Lynn Silberman; Catherine Loevner; Melinda Edwards; Caddy Harper; Anne Lewis; Betsy Watkins; Cathy DiGioia; Joan Hoover; Laura Dawson; Mary Ellen Costa; Carol Massaro ; Dr. Thelma Snyder; Marsha Deaktor; Denise Nairn; Tricia Kassling; Janice Rosenberg; Sara Guttman; Tracey Segal; Kitty Hillman; Cynthia Lackey; June Holmes; Stephanie Spence; Nancy Evans; Susie Wean; Cindy Mosites; Louisa Rudolph ; and SSA school prez Tom Southard with Donna .

Now let us eat.

In Vienna, it's the waltz; France has its cotillion; Scotland does the highland fling. But the royal dance of Poland is the grand polonaise to Chopin's music ... a procession masterfully executed by 11 dewy debs in snowy white and their white-tied swains that was led by the Karuzela Folk Ensemble. To be sure, it was the highlight of Saturday's Bal Polonaise at the Westin hotel. Making their bows were: Emily Barger, Dana Brzozowski, Stephanie Cerniglia, Anna Kochaniak, Lindsay Lucci, Annette Miaczynski, Heather Miller, Nicole Nalevanko, Rebecca Pazehoski, Margaret Rencewicz and Amanda Waner .

Staged by the community-spirited Polish Cultural Council to benefit the Carnegie Science Center and WQED-FM, there was elegant wining and dining with dancing to Walt Wagner and the Serenaders. Spotted among the 375 guests were such as chair Dr. Donald Mushalko and Helen; Irene and Col. (ret.) Merle Addams; Richard Rzaca and Eleanor, who hosted a tea for the debs; PCC chair Rick Pierchalski; Janine and Anatol Rychalski ; emcee Jim Cunningham with Laurie; Dan Onorato; Irene Jakubowski; Kasia and Casimer Bruniany; Lisa and Judge Kevin Sasinoski; Audrey and Mike Dawida; Wanda and Edward Walat; Edward Borkowski; Marty and Joseph Federowicz; Sophia and Ted Michalik; Laura and Joseph Pinksaw ; and Wallace Zielinski .

Na zdorovye.

George Washington may have never slept here, but the young Virginian did make a notable splash or two in these parts. Which is just one reason why nearly 100 black-ties gathered at the John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History for Friday's 1879 Founders' Circle Dinner .

Hosted once again by Grace Compton and Jan and Bob Barensfeld , the invite-only soiree served as a well-deserved "thank you" to VIP donors and a preview of the museum's upcoming French and Indian War exhibit. Adding an artistic touch, Center prez Andy Masich unveiled "Washington's Crossing, 1753," by artist John Buxson .

Among those celebrating the past with an eye toward the future were former Treasury secretary Paul O'Neill and Nancy ; Ann and Marty McGuinn ; Ann and Frank Cahouet ; Bobbie and judge Frank Lucchino ; Pat and Dan Rooney ; Audrey and Tim Fisher ; Nadine Bognar ; Nancy Bolden ; Ed Linder with daughter Hilary ; Diane and Glen Meakem ; Jan and Dick Pagilari ; Carol Word and Bill Trueheart ; Susan Santa - Cruz and Art Stroyd ; Eileen and Evan Rosenberg ; and Dr. Mary Page .

-- John Altdorfer

When it comes to MVPs--that's most valuable people--Steelers' QB Tommy Maddox should always be near the top of any list. And Thursday's Comeback Kids Awards Gala at Heinz Field's East Club proved that the tall Texan is a true champ on and off the gridiron.

Talk about a hurry-up offense. When Tommy and mate Jennifer kicked off their foundation last May to help local needy kids, the game plan included a big-time fall fundraiser--which nearly everyone advised against. But the determined duo beat the odds by staging a black-tie party worthy of Rookie of the Year honors. Credit the Smith Brothers, Miles , Lindsey and Bronson, whose agency charted all the X's and O's for this winning performance.

Even on a school night, the Steelers faithful packed the house as 450-plus honored Rebekah Dominguez ; Cody Robison , Crystal Manker , Cynthia Karoleski , Dr. Kim McAbee , and Joseph Nicholas for overcoming personal setbacks and tragedies. Also benefiting were Pittsburgh Youth Network and Family Guidance Inc., which received a portion of the gala proceeds.

Rushing to the forefront of the All-Pro guest list were Jerome Bettis with Trameka Boykin ; Rebecca and Jeff Hartings ; Cindy Ellis and Andy Russell ; Sharon and Tunch Ilkin ; Julie and Alan Faneca ; Josh Miller ; Dwayne Washington ; Barbara and Randy Grossman ; Emily and Joe Beimel ; Grammy winner Steven Curtis Chapman ; Lousaka Polite ; Brandon Miree ; Beth and Brad Henderson , proud parents Glenda and Wayne Maddox , foundation director Chris Shabay and Wendy ; Vicki Hinterberger ; and Kathy Gregory - Steiner .

Here's to a winner.

-- J. A.

The first thing guests noticed as they looked around the Omni William Penn ballroom was the number of renowned transplantation surgeons and renal specialists who had traded in their surgical greens and white coats for black-tie and couture.

Saturday night brought us to the National Kidney Foundation 's 15th annual Kidney Ball , where doctors and patients understand the gift of life and the vital research that makes it possible. Something that Pittsburgh comedian Rick Rockwell , the hapless TV groom (remember Darva Conger?), knows all too well, having lost his father to kidney disease. But his so-called honeymoon on the high seas provided enough fodder to keep us in, um, stitches.

Benefit chair Dr. Rajni Wallia with daughter Amisha and son Angat were the first to arrive at the party for 400 guests who bid high at the fab silent auction (the eve raised over $100K!), marveled at magician Bill Eiler's sleight of hand, then boogied to the Dr. Zoot band.

A peek at the guest list: Mary Austin and Dr. Ron Shapiro; Barbara and Dr. Thomas Kleyman; Athena and Frank Sarris; Maureen and Brennan Hart; Louise and Jack Norris ; Drs. James Johnston and Georgette Duker; Cheryl and Dr. Ron Lutes; Bill and Tricia Kassling ; Drs. Susan Freedman and Mark Zeidel ; Drs. Barbara Carpenter and Michael Miller; Debbie and John Wopus; Kate and Pete DeComo; Dawn Kessler; Judy and Ken Fink ; NKF's new director Deb Hartman and John; Laura and Jim Conaway ; and Bill Vasilko .

Just say yes to organ donation.

-- J. A.