Lions and tigers and foxes, ladies in glitter and men in tuxes.
But the featured animal for last Friday?s Zoomerang festivities at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore was the pink flamingo, in honor of the pink flamingos? new exhibit.So pink cummerbunds and fuchsia boas were all the rage. Seasoned Zoomerang attendees ? and now the gala?s chairs ? Sarah and Mark Davison and Johanna Golden welcomed the group of fine feathered friends that were herded into the first dry Zoomerang in six years.
The zoo was transformed into a fantasyland through a lot of hard work from the gala committee, trustees, staff and volunteers. The zoo?s top dog, President Billie Grieb, compared Zoomerang preparations to a wedding, only 1,000 times harder. “It?s not for the weak of heart,” she said.
It didn?t take long for feathers to fly with live music sprinkled throughout the massive tents. More than 50 area restaurants were represented with food tables. Those in attendance included: VP/GM of East U.S. Lafarge North America David Slaughter and his wife, Blair, who is with T. Rowe Price; Lafarge?s Maryland GM Tom Roloson and his wife, Linda; Tom and Janie Zinchiak, who are the owners of ZCon Inc.; Morgan Keller Construction VP Bob Rininger and his wife, Renee; and Morgan Keller Business Development VP Michael Mock and his wife, Catherine, a VP at Keller Stonebraker.
Rubin Schechman, of Bill?s Carpet Fair, and his wife, Nancy, guided us to the delicious mussels prepared by Mia Carolina of Glyndon. They were fantastic.
Cindy Mellendick?s tiara adorned sister Lindsay, who was celebrating her 50th birthday in style with pals Judy Murraye and Joan Corrao, whose hubby brought them in a Hummer limo.
Spotted enjoying the culinary delights were Dr. and Mrs. William Arminger and WBAL prez and GM Jordan Wertlieb.
At the “Leg-gae” Lounge, which was the reggae tent, the live auction was hopping with items such as an aluminum zoo animal from the retired carousel and a limited edition MINI Cooper, provided by BMW-MINI of Towson.
All this fun provided much-needed support for the zoo?s many operations.
SLASH!
“Sportsmen Lifting Academics and Sponsoring Hope” is a nonprofit organization created by Ravens defensive end Adalius Thomas. His charity serves children in Baltimore with education, sports and mentoring programs.
And there was no better place to hold his Sunday fundraiser than at Morton?s Steakhouse. “Morton?s is proud to host this event and support AD in his work with the SLASH fund,” said Brian Fiori, Morton?s general manager.
Appropriately, my first handshake was with Ravens coach Brian Billick, who later was seen chatting with newly re-emerged linebacker Ray Lewis. Enjoying the signature hors d?oeuvres were Pricewaterhouse Coopers? Bill Corey and his wife, Kathryn. Joe and Diane Unitas loved the antics of the Lemonade Shaking Guy ? Marc Rosenberg, who assisted AD in a very lively live auction.
Anne Boone-Simanski is the social columnist for The Examiner and can be reached at [email protected] or 410-878-6131.
