Morton Grove Champion

Changes afoot Bright, bold shoes for summer

Thu, 23 May 2013 05:47:05 -0500

“Shoes transform your body language and attitude. They lift you physically and emotionally.” That wisdom — no surprise — comes from Christian Louboutin, famous shoe designer with those infamous red soles. He’s right. Who doesn’t stand taller in a great pair of heels? No pun intended! “There’s something for everyone this season no matter what your age,” stated Janine Galante from Lori’s Shoes in Highland Park. “There are a huge variety of shoe trends this year compared to other seasons. There are more choices for women.” You’ll still see super high heels, but heels are getting lower. It’s one of …

American Cancer Society Discovery Ball raises $2.1 Million

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:20:41 -0500

Nearly 900 guests and volunteers gathered on April 27 for the 7th annual American Cancer Society Discovery Ball at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago. The attendees raised $2.1 million for cancer research. More than 20 percent of the evening’s proceeds were generated from the nearly 170 silent auction items, eight live auction packages and a raffle. Top live auction items included a 2.95 carat diamond Tiffany & Co. bracelet and trip to New York City for Breakfast at Tiffany’s in the jeweler’s famous store, which went for $18,000 and a Paris Air Show package which sold for $15,000. …

MYA marks 20 years with musical dreamscape

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:42:01 -0500

Let’s be careful how we use the word “amazing.” It is applied to so many subjects that it has nearly lost its power to — well, amaze, so that when something truly amazing comes along, we are at a loss for words. Midwest Young Artists of Highwood celebrated its 20th anniversary with a spring benefit the evening of April 20 at the Sanfilippo “Place de la Musique” in Barrington. The party started with a free-wheeling tour of the vast Sanfilippo mansion, home to the family’s immense collection of antique music machines, phonographs, player pianos, arcade games, music boxes, chandeliers, art …

Haven gala supports hope and help for homeless

Thu, 23 May 2013 05:47:17 -0500

Ending homelessness may be a gray area, but supporting Lake County Haven’s Black and White Gala on April 13 was a good start. Hosted annually by the Haven Women’s Auxiliary, the dinner and dancing event at Ravinia Green Country Club in Riverwoods raised much-needed dollars for programming to empower homeless women and their children achieve independence. Some 210 supporters were on hand for the evening. For the past two decades, the Haven has delivered social services — including education, affordable housing and employment services — to struggling families. Approximately 950 homeless people live in the Lake County. “I wanted to …

Tiffany’s glorious glitz for ‘Gatsby’

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:16:42 -0500

Hollywood’s newest take on the “The Great Gatsby” has arrived. Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 classic novel, the film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as self-made millionaire Jay Gatsby, and Carey Mulligan playing the lovely but shallow Daisy Buchanan.

Past charms support today’s charity at Ball de Fleur

Thu, 23 May 2013 02:58:22 -0500

Like a gilded time machine, Palmer House Hilton elevators transported more than 500 guests up and away from 21st century bustle. They exited at a floor that looked and felt like the roaring twenties, decked out for the Alexian Brothers Foundation’s “Centuries of Charity and Charm” 27th annual Ball De Fleur on May 4. The event raised about $340,000 to benefit three of the Alexian Brothers Foundation’s healthcare missions: its Hospice Residence in Elk Grove Village, the Center for Mental Health in Arlington Heights and the Housing and Health Alliance in Chicago in Waukegan. The Alexian Brothers Hospice Residence is …

Support for Erika’s Lighthouse rolls on

Thu, 23 May 2013 05:01:03 -0500

The Erika’s Lighthouse benefit at Fields BMW in Northfield raised close to $75,000 to promote suicide prevention awareness. Ginny and Tom Neuckranz of Winnetka, and Peggy Kubert explain the mission of the organization.

Hadley Woman’s Board Gala Raises $230,000 for Blinded Veterans Initiative

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:18:09 -0500

The Woman’s Board of The Hadley School for the Blind held its annual benefit at Michigan Shores Club in Wilmette on April 20. This year’s gala, “Hearts for Hadley” featured casino games as well as dinner stations, a wine auction and paddle raise. The event was co-chaired by members Nancy Doyle of Winnetka and Carol Rasmus of Wilmette. Approximately 200 guests attended to raise funds for Hadley’s Blinded Veterans Initiative. There are 158,300 legally blind veterans and 700,000 veterans with low vision, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Approximately 7,000 veterans become blind or visually impaired each year …

The Art Center’s Spring Gala raises $100,000+

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:52:08 -0500

“Celebrate Art...Canvas, Cocktails & Cuisine,” took place May 2 at The Art Center of Highland Park. The spring gala celebrated performance art, visual art, culinary art and community. Over 400 people attended to show their support for TAC and over $100,000 was raised. The event honored fiber artist Addie Davis and professional artist and designer, Bernadette Elenteny Joyce. The evening featured performances by Speed Canvas painter Elliott From, professional body painter Allison Halver, magician Bill Cook, Marcus Rezak Jazz Trio, HPHS Drumline Garbage Can Band, silent auction and raffle. Funds raised will support additional programs to benefit our galleries, education, …

Tiffany showcases it’s Gatsby jewelry

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:46:50 -0500

Tiffany & Co. rolled out the red carpet as host of an exclusive screening of ‘The Great Gatsby’ at Chicago’s Gene Siskel Film Center on May 15. More than 100 guests attended the 1920s Jazz Age-themed cocktail party and movie screening. Models showcased Tiffany designs that appear in “The Great Gatsby.” Featured jewels from Tiffany’s 2013 Blue Book Collection included the Savoy, a diamond and freshwater cultured pearl headpiece with detachable brooch, and a brilliant necklace featuring a 49.59 carat emerald-cut aquamarine. A jazz quartet set the stage for the Gatsby-themed event while guests sipped Gatsby-themed cocktails, including “The Daisy” …

Kiwanis Club of Evanston raises $4,500 for SHORE Community Services

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:09:41 -0500

Over 250 guests came to Pizzamania, the annual Mardi Gras celebration of the Kiwanis Club of Evanston, held at Giordano’s in Evanston on Feb. 12. Over $4500 was raised and will go to SHORE Community Services, a long-time partner of the Kiwanis Club and an organization that provides services for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities in the community. Founded in 1951, SHORE cares for children and adults providing vocational and developmental training, residential, early intervention, in-home respite care, supported and living and service facilitation for almost 400 individuals. The Kiwanis Club holds the pre-Lenten Pizzamania annually with bright …

Let spring go to your head

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:54:56 -0500

Cuts, curls, braids, colors, treatments — what’s new to do with hair? There are plenty of possibilities, so we went straight to local experts for advice. Color, said Helen Presman, owner of The Beauty Spot in Lake Forest.

Kitchen dreams: Tour some of North Shore’s finest

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:10:02 -0500

If the kitchen is the heart of the home, the Designer Kitchens of the North Shore tour should make many hearts beat a little faster. Presented by the Junior League of Evanston — North Shore, the May 3 event features six homes in Winnetka and Wilmette, all centrally located to the Winnetka Community House.

Light Opera Works celebrates with music

Fri, 10 May 2013 09:46:01 -0500

It was no surprise that the Light Opera Works benefit April 6 at North Shore Country Club in Glenview was filled with music. Excerpts from LOW’s upcoming productions of “Cabaret,” “Pirates of Penzance” and “Annie Get Your Gun,” entertained the evening’s 130 guests, which was their largest benefit attendance in recent years. Dawn Bless had great fun in the role of Buttercup from “Pirates,” Ryan de Ryke and Dane Thomas were almost scary as Dick Dead Eye and Ralph Rackstraw and the winsome Sarah Kelly was a charming Josephine. Jenny Lamb was a saucy Sally Bowles, kicking up her heels …

Scholarship support grows at “Blooming Fashion Show”

Thu, 09 May 2013 04:50:12 -0500

The drenching showers and flooded roads of April 18 created plenty of havoc. But all that water didn’t dampen the spirits the Chicago North Shore Alumnae Panhellenic as some 140 friends and members converged on the Michigan Shores Club in Wilmette for the “Blooming Fashion Show.” Ann Marr of Libertyville, who serves as president of Chicago North Shore Alumnae Panhellenic and Mary Ellen Fitzsimonds of Evanston, the association secretary, watched Lake Michigan, visible from the club’s windows. Marr thought it must have ‘gone up by about an inch,” and added “It’s so fantastic that everybody came out today despite the …

Society celebrates Mies’ 127th birthday

Thu, 09 May 2013 04:59:52 -0500

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel was among 300+ guests at a party at S. R. Crown Hall, IIT campus, 3360 S. State St., Chicago, to mark the 127th birthday of architect Mies van der Rohe. The Mies van der Rohe Society played host to the new IIT Dean of Architecture and a huge number of architectural aficionados, famed architects and guests. Dean Wiel Arets who holds the Rowe Family IIT College of Architecture Dean Endowed Chair was a speaker. The program also included a short video entitled “75 Years of Mies and his Chicago School” by Edward Windhorst, remarks by John …