The folks at Gaines McHale Antiques used their lovely Harbor East locale in Baltimore recently to host the Fourth Annual Wine Opener, which was presented by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
More than 400 CFF supporters turned out for the event, which included a “pre” VIP party with fine wines from Dennis Graul (Mays Chapel Wine Shop) and Gus Kalaris (Constantine Wines) and specialties from VIN restaurant chef Christopher Patternotte.
Cheers for co-chairmen Ross Flax and Scott McHale, who jumped atop a table to introduce Jamie Seymour, a “CF Mom” ? one of some 30,000 mothers across the country who has a child with cystic fibrosis.
“Your presence here this evening is helping us get even closer to a cure,” said Seymour, as her husband Chaz looked on. “It?s within our grasp, so bid, bid, bid!”
Emcee and auctioneer Sergio Vitale, who is chef at one of Little Italy?s finest ? Aldo?s, got the crowd cooking during the live auction, especially with his donation of a private wine-cellar dining experience for six.
Among the guests were lawyers Julie Ellen Landau and Bo Weisheit, Style Magazine CEO Andrew Bruegger, Rob Banks and the sweet pair from Glauber?s, Billy and Poppy Buppert.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has never looked better, thanks to the efforts of Sue Nolan in bringing in the next wave of young professionals. The event raised more than $50,000. For information on CFF, call 410-628-0795 or visit www.cff.org.
BOOK BASH A BIG HIT
It took two floors at The Tremont Grand to support the recent 14th annual Book Bash for Literacy Works Inc. More than 50 authors greeted party-goers, and it was a bit of a Crabtown homecoming for Michael Tucker and Jill Eikenberry (of “L.A. Law”) fame, whose second book “Living in a Foreign Language” chronicles the Tuckerberrys? latest adventuresas homeowners in the Italian countryside. Board members Seema Reznick, Hal Martin and WBAL-TV?s Jayne Miller were thrilled, as $90,000 was raised to support and sustain Literacy Works programs.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Recently, Brian Snyder, owner of Pickles and Chips Deli and Grille in Towson, held a benefit day for Rachael Vass, a friend of one of his employees, Amber Brown. Vass recently came out of a coma, the result of an April auto accident, and Snyder, with live music from the band Maddison, decided on a day where the deli?s proceeds would go to Rachael?s recovery. Needless to say, Dennis and Tammy Vass were more than overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for their daughter. Missed the day? Not too late to donate. Send contributions to Brian at 1220 Joppa Road, Towson, Md. 21286.
ANNE?S PICKS OF THE WEEK
What: 22nd Annual Gift of Life Gala for the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland.
When: Saturday, from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Where: The Hyatt Regency at the Inner Harbor.
Tickets: $275.
Info: 410-494-8545.
What: Coppin State University?s Vision Award Celebration (an evening with Nancy Wilson and Bill Cosby).
When: Saturday, 8 p.m.
Where: The Lyric Opera House at 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. in Baltimore.
Tickets: $50-$125.
Info: 410-547-SEAT.
Anne Boone-Simanski is the social columnist for The Examiner and can be reached at [email protected] or 410-878-6131.
