Three thousand six hundred square feet of Belvedere Square just got a whole lot prettier.
Stephanie Gamble, owner of The House Downtown in Havre de Grace, opened a second store, this one in Belvedere Square, and she threw a grand-opening celebration Thursday that was second to none. The fabulous Edie Brown was on hand to welcome us to this new lifestyle shopping experience that emphasizes comfort, style and sophistication.
At every turn, there was something fun or someone interesting, such as Convention Center Executive Director Peggy Daidakis, Jackie and Robert Smelkinson, Belvedere Square wine guy Nelson Carey, LifeBridge Health?s Rudy Miller, party boy Kevin Brown, Lorretta Albano, and William Maughlin, who is one of the owners of Maleka?s Spa Salon.
As the guests mingled, store manager Kathy Schoeffield told me that in addition to offering a range of design-consulting services, The House Downtown plans to host trunk shows and open houses throughout the year.
Gamble said The House Downtown draws its inspiration from her mother, Shirley Good, who passed away six years ago. “My mother always instilled in me how important it was to find my own happiness,” Gamble said. “And after her passing, I chose to honor her memory by pursuing my dreams.”
Sue Platts, proud mom of movie producer Marc (“Sleepless in Seattle,” in which Sue had a cameo), was eyeing the array ofhousewarming gifts, while Eddie Applefeld was testing the bedding.
Store hours are 10 a.m. -6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. For information, go to housedowntown.com
SALSABRATION 2006
The Latin Palace, a “Las Palmas” restaurant and “Casa Salsa” dance club, served as a perfect venue for this year?s Fuel Fund fund-raiser.
The Fuel Fund of Maryland Inc. was the first nonprofit organization in the country dedicated solely to providing energy assistance. Public-relations guru Gayle Economos told me Fuel Fund has been providing monetary assistance for 25 years to limited-income working families, senior citizens and the disabled.
Last Thursday?s event welcomed honorary chairwoman Allegra Bennett, the publisher of Renovating Women magazine and a consumer spokeswoman for BGE. This hot crowd enjoyed the Latin tunes of Son de Aqui, dance demos by the Salsa Ritmo and some of the Latin Palace?s best tasty treats. Those in attendance included Marnell Allan Cooper; Jim Thierer and wife Amy, who serves as a volunteer; the University of Maryland Medical Center?s David Brond; Director of Development for Fuel Fund Lillian Hughes Knipp; the College of Notre Dame?s Susie Breaux; Chairwoman Cindy Amberg; former Baltimore City Fire Department spokesman Hector Torres; Carroll Fuel?s Rick Phelps; and the president of the board for Fuel Fund, Provident Bank?s John Goedeke.
The Fuel Fund survives only on public money, and the evening?s festivities raised a lot of much-needed cash for the upcoming summer. According to Fuel Fund, more people die from the summer?s heat than from the cold of winter.
THE EXAMINER INVADES CAMDEN YARDS
Examiner publisher Michael Phelps threw out the first pitch before last Wednesday?s Orioles-Blue Jays game at Camden Yards. Tip: Michael, don?t give up your day job.
Anne Boone-Simanski is the social columnist for The Examiner and can be reached at [email protected] or 410-878-6131.
