Richard Piacentini, and brother Kevin (his firm donated the vinos!) with folks Anastasia and Vero , in from New York. As well as the county's first lady Elin Roddey; Sue Colaizzi; Ed Harrell; Jim Hageder; Mary and Stephen Klein; Susan Nernberg; Silvia and Alex Speyer III; Virginia and John DiPucci; Sandy and Gene O'Sullivan; Mary and Ed Weidlein; Marjorie Hughes; Suzy and Jim Broadhurst; Rona and Dr. John Hunter Dane; Gail and Greg Harbaugh; Nancy and Dick Scarton; Bill Boyd; Mary and Drew Kistler; Suzie Steitz; Karla and John Groninger; Jeanne and Cole Benedict; Miriam and Bill Richardson; Julia and Matthew Groll ; Dr. Jim Dill; Mernie Berger; Lowrie Ebbert.
Plus Shirley and Ted Arther; Dolores Wilson Smith; Farley and Josh Whetzel ; Drs. Janet and Matt Simon; Rita Gould and Alex Speyer Jr. ; J-A Society's Elise Moersch with kimono-clad Mika Gladden and Keiko Milhollan; Sue and David Barnes ; Dr. Joe Lagana; Larry Breck; Beth and Don Smith; Diane Gerlach; Paul Reder; Randi and Van Dauler; Tessina Krivy; Carole and Don Horowitz; Jennifer and Michael Gleba; Sue Forsyth and Gary Goldian; Emily MacCadden; Joyce Grove and Jim Giuliani; Winnie and John Schano; Allison McKinley; Fay Glunt ; and Attila the mum.
Fifteen years old and stronger than ever. That's the reason some 175 folks dressed to the nines turned out Saturday at the Fox Chapel Golf Club for the Intestinal Disease Foundation's Crystal Anniversary Evening. Although IDF battles the so-called "unspeakable diseases" of chronic digestive disorders, the group's good work clearly deserves mention.
Hats off to founder and artist Risa Moldovan , who spearheaded the IDF back in 1987 with the help of the late Ernest Buckman, former CEO of Oliver Realty. On hand to pay tribute during the patron's reception were Risa's daughter Cala with husband Aaron Brown ; former White House food and wine consultant Jack Hanny; event chair Mary McCrory with Jim Lewis; IDF director Linda Schorr and Fred Dachinetz; Daniel Heldring ; Arizona-bound Lauren Tillman with John Bernhard; Jody and Stuart Hoffman ; and Jackie Stanley and J.R. Philp.
Displaying her artistic and generous nature, Risa donated a still-life oil painting of an elegant table setting she created for the IDF milestone. Reminiscent of the Old Masters, "Crystal Anniversary Evening" stole the show among the silent auction goodies. Pre-dinner shopping was encouraged at the atrium boutique, where treats ranged from gourmet chocolates to dazzling baubles from Louis Anthony Jewelers.
With plenty of time to celebrate before turning back the clocks, the guys and dolls dined and danced the night away. Notable in the crowd included Myra and Dr. Phil Landau, Linda and Jimmy Rosenbloom, Emily and Richard Goldberg, Maryann McKnight, Dede Fink, Holly Hicks-Opperman and Jessica, Jerry and Rhonda Wade-Lopes, Pam Cromer, Marie Zanotti, Ann Lytle, Margaret Baker, Leslie and Fred Bonci, Tom Pirhalla, Lynne and Ken Eismann , Dr. Paul Lebovitz, Kim Herbert and David Williams, Heather and Robert Schultz , Drs. Laura and George Arnold, Meena and Dr. Ardahu Agrawal, Martha and Mike Oakey, Julie and Brian Long , and Jennifer Hippert and Sam Iwu.
- John Altdorfer
Seems the Brits actually believe that Heinz ketchup sports an English pedigree. Chances are that burger lovers savor the same spicy delusion in China, Poland, Italy, Australia, India and scores of other countries where the 57-plus varieties rate as the top-selling food brand. Which is why the H.J. Heinz Co. picked up the 2002 International Bridge Award from the Pittsburgh Council for International Visitors Thursday at, appropriately, Heinz Field.
Building cultural bridges between people, businesses and nations is the PCIV's mission. As goodwill ambassadors since 1959, PCIV helps foreign visitors and residents adapt to the American way and encourages international firms to set up shop in the city. FreeMarkets, one of our sterling additions to the global marketplace, served as a special envoy for the event.
WQED-TV and Trib chef Chris Fennimore served up the opening remarks, while PCIV board prez Larry Sargert (with Jan ) teamed with county chief Jim Roddey to present the 10th annual award to Heinz executive VP and CFO Art Winkleblack . Notables in the crowd of 200 included event chair John Starr of FreeMarkets with Margi, Gretchen McCabe, Dennis Unkovic, Scott Morgan, Maggie McDonald, Jane and Dick Rittelmann, Bryan Newman, Bart Rauluk, Ann and Stanley Kabala, Dionne and Jonathan Brelsford , PCIV director Gail Shrott, Peter Argentine, Gail Stull, Maureen O'Malley , WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham, Jan Talerico, Patrick Cappatt, Maria and Eric Kimbel, Katy O'Lare, Rich Oprison, Aaron Cacaci , and folks from Russia, Albania and Costa Rica.
- J.A.
Autumn weather and an urge to splurge at the nifty boutiques in the Pittsburgh Field Club's jewel-box setting fueled Wednesday's turnout for the West Penn Hospital Foundation 's holiday preview and luncheon. Of course, the popular fashion strut was a sure crowd-pleaser. But it was Emilio and Gino , the mane men of Izzazu Salon, who stopped traffic with their day spa for on-the-spot makeovers, hairdos, even massages. Because making up shouldn't be hard to do.
Faces in the crowd to support the scholarship fund for WPH's School of Nursing were such as benefit chair Terry Fedele ; Mellon Financial's Carol Neyland; Norma Walters; Kathleen Cecil; Lynne Marchese; Arlene Snyder; Cheryl Schwarzwaelder; Lorrie Grass ; AGH prez/CEO Connie Cibrone; Wendy O'Brien ; Dr. Cynthia Rosenberg ; WPH School of Nursing's Nancy Cobb; Mariann Geyer ; Dr. Judith Figura; Jill Wolff ; Dr. Shelly McQuone; Mary Rodgers Schubert; Deb Heppner ; and Carol McClenahan.
You better shop around.
The hills were alive with the sights of foliage as 300 smartly suited ladies swept into the Fox Chapel Golf Club for Shady Side Cooks ,Wednesday's cooking demo and dine with a Portuguese accent.
Not surprising that chef Toni Pais was such a drawing card. The grateful fed have been flocking to his elegant Baum Vivant eatery in Shadyside that Pittsburgh Magazine hailed as Restaurant of the Year for eight consecutive years. Toni is one of the most talented toques to wield a spatula in these parts. Except he traded his toque for a SSA ballcap to whisk us through the lusty flavors of Portugal's food belt with a bring-on-the-cream menu. And his All-Clad pots never runneth over.
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.
Rest assured, these ladies who lunch are also accomplished hostesses. They know how to sell the sizzle and the delicious Goa chicken we tucked into ... on a shoestring. Dining rooms were smartly set in autumn hues and a bounty of gourds. While the silent auction was so irresistibly arrayed it was hard to say no to.
Three forks to Nancy Evans and Joan Hoover , with assists by Donna Southard , who chaired the edible complex. And attracted such cuisiners as Fran Donahue ; Senior School Association prexy Slo Casey; Melinda Edwards and her mom Jean Molyneaux; Anne Lewis; Greta Rooney; Marcie Gookin; Mary Ellen Costa; Cathleen DiGioia; Suzy Gilbert; Melissa Craig; Louisa Rudolph; Kim Dingess ; Dr. Ellen Roth ; new-to-Pittsburgh Julie Rubin; Nancy Stillson; Mary Hagan ; and, of course, SSA prez Tom Southard.
Plus Betsy Watkins; Jill Kaechele; Mary Krauland ; beautiful emcee Kelly Frey of WTAE-TV; Jane Weiss; Rosemary Kovalik; Judy Shelby; Karen Woelfel; Debby Diggs; Helen Headlee; Patty Orringer; Susan Blecher; Alexandra Davides; Ellen Marks; Ina Gumberg; Denise Nairn; Wendy Kaplan; Becky Snyder; Joan Prizant; Maureen Hart; Fran Logue; Bethany Boyle; Carla Zorub; Priscilla DeLuca ; and Sue Fogarty .
No, no nouveau.
They were dancing in the Mexican War Streets. All night long. The reason for such merriment⢠Masterful event planner Bob Sendall is ready to show this town how to party with style and verve.
From the pulsating patio disco to his ultra-chic living room, the Sendall trademark was everywhere. Of course, every last morsel of food was fabulous, prepared across the street in Bob's custom kitchen that would make Emeril drool.
Dispelling rumors of his "disappearance," the gregarious host explained that he never left town in the first place. Yes, it's true he now runs a B&B in Palm Springs, Calif., during the winter months, but Bob still calls Pittsburgh home. And his All Things in Good Taste production company will handle every party detail from start to finish, from intimate gatherings to all-out bashes.
His guest list included Elsie Hillman ; hizzoner Tom Murphy; Cindy and Rich Engler ; Bob's mom Jean Rammon and sister Sharon; Tony Ciardi ; Mattress Factory's Barbara Luderowski and Michael Olijnyk; Tim Condron and Glenn Charest; Nora Conroy of Lidia's in the Strip; David Handler and Shannon Reilly ; super stylist Emilio; Judy Linaburg; Cathleen Cawood Bubash and Nick; Nachum Golan and Steve Hough; Michael Hertrich; Debbie Mortillaro; Melissa Handler; Judy Albright; Norma and Dr. Michael Sobel with her mom Mary Kirkell; Rebecca and Greg Greenleaf; Suzanne Mauro; Scott Saunders; Carol and Jack Scalo; Leslie and Mark DeSimone; Susie Treon ; and Joe DeLien .
When the party finally wound down, the waitstaff served heaping trays of dreamy chocolate chip cookies hot from the oven. How sweet it is.
- J. A.
Native son and renowned journalist Frank Gaffney Jr. , keynoted the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Zionist Organization of America 's 57th annual meeting for 300 guests at the Omni William Penn. Founder and president of the Center for Security Policy, a think tank in the nation's capital, Gaffney spoke out on America's war on terrorism. He also received the Louis Brandeis Award, the ZOA's highest honor.
Other honorees were Frieda Shapira , Drs. Tova and Joel Weinberg , and Youngstown's Aaron Grossman . The Charles M. Morris Charitable Trust was tapped for its service to the community, and that award was accepted by Charles Perlow , there with Judy. Cheering the local heroes were such as ZOA national president Morton Klein and Pittsburgh president Zalman Shapira with Evelyn; Karen and David Shapira; Charles Saul; Evelyn Bloom; Chaya and Dean Pollack ; Drs. Ellen and Loren Roth; Pam and Seth Schanwald ; City Council's Bob O'Connor; Lieba and Bill Rudolph; Ken and Michele Solomon Fryncko ; and Dan Frankel .
Danny Glover 's lethal weapon is so not Mel Gibson, but his courage to champion those causes dear to his heart. One of Hollywood's most sure-footed actors and virtually incapable of a bad performance, Glover, 55, brought his star power to bear on the 20th anniversary fete for the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council in the Omni William Penn ballroom. His text was so not the color purple. And we learned of his own struggles with dyslexia.
The true heroes of GPLC's program are its 700 volunteer tutors. Beacons of hope like the indomitable Patsy Smith, who was honored for her 15-year commitment to "transforming lives." As well as for her role in shaping the agency's development.
Earlier at the reception, Glover disarmed the crowd by mixing, mingling and graciously posing for pixters. Among the literati dining on a juicy Chicken Wellington, admiring Blooms' lovely bouquets and cheering the woman of the hour were such as Patsy's children, Robert Becker and Mimi Naunheim , who jetted in from Hawaii and California, respectively, to surprise her; Frank Hoffmann of DQE, the eve's top sponsor; GPLC board prez Jennifer Fox Rabold and director Don Block .
As well as Claudette and Dr. Harold Lewis ; emcee Ken Rice of KDKA-TV; Marian Winson and Bill Genge; Jane Arkus; Cecile and Eric Springer; Henry Hoffstot; Toto and Jim Fisher; Glenn Mahone; Liza Nevin; Pam Coates; Mary Kukovich; Susie and Brendan McLaughlin; Dwight and Karen Farmer White; Margaret and Dr. Joseph Willcox Jenkins; Robert Petrilli; Lex Tsaggaris; Joe Balaban; Peg Mueller; Becky and Tom McGough; Maristel and Greg Hunt ; and Eva Kaplan .
Pagestruck.
