As the promo said, “Charity begins with Love,” and hometown gal Pam Shriver’s annual Tennis Classic did not “let” us down this year.
The recent kickoff party was held at the Tremont Grand in Baltimore, where organizers raised $35,000 to benefit the Baltimore Tennis Patrons and other youth programs.
Guests included Larry Frank (of Classic Catering People), Steve Krulevitz (local and former Tour pro), Kenny Abrams (Ravens VP of community relations), Rick Bielski (of Ocean Pride Seafood and a future Tennis Legend, who played in the following evening’s big event), Gail Brodsky, Ajla Tomljanovic, Ryan Lipman and Chase Buchanan and his mom, Melissa.
“This event is a Baltimore tradition, like the Preakness, and I hope both continue to grow,” Ryan O’Hare of Elkridge told me. “I don’t even play tennis or like horses, but I never miss them.”
“It’s a true testament to Pam to see, year in and year out, how many great tennis stars she brings to Baltimore,” Ryan’s wife Jill added.
Also spotted were Shriver’s mom Margot and sister Eleanor, as folks bid during a huge silent auction. According to Marc Kantrowitz, the Classic’s managing director, this two-day event raised almost $185,000.
And that’s an ‘ace’ for the community.
By the way
>> This past Wednesday there was a roof-raising holiday kickoff party for the launch of “Miracle on Main Streets” — which will be happening throughout December in 10 Baltimore neighborhoods — at the Admiral Fell Inn in Fells Point. According to Randi Rom and Liz Chuday, these events will feature more than 50 free activities — with free parking — in the neighborhoods of Belair-Edison, Brooklyn, East Monument Street, Federal Hill, Fells Point, Hamilton-Lauraville, Highlandtown, Pennsylvania Avenue, Pigtown and Waverly. For information, go to MiracleOnMainStreets.com. By the way, check out David DeBoy and Da Hons — the party’s cheerful musical guests — at www.youtube.com/user/Daviddeboy.
>> A little bit of the SoHo art feel has landed in Pikesville with the opening of the Renaissance Fine Arts and Regalo Boutique on Reisterstown Road. The grand opening, which got the Hollywood treatment, featured local artist Alice Pritchard. I was told that the boutique is the only Jay Strongwater one on the East Coast and that the designer himself will be in the Baltimore store Dec. 12 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., showcasing his latest designs and signing purchases.
>> I ran into Ch. 13’s morning man Don Scott at a Ravens tailgate recently, where he told me of his son Nick’s most recent tattoo. “It’s of the Utz potato-chip cartoon girl, and he got it on his shoulder,” Scott shared. Oh, I get it. Chip on your shoulder. Very cute.
Anne’s top pick
>> What: Redskins vs. Ravens tailgate party to benefit the Sports Legends Museum
>> When: Today, 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Watch the Cowboys-Steelers game on the museum’s big screen.)
>> Where: Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards
>> Tickets: $30
>> Info: John Hein at 410-727-1539, ext. 3051; [email protected]
Anne Boone-Simanski can be reached at [email protected].
