If you were one of the attendees at Eddie Applefeld?s 60th birthday party and roast last week, chances are your face is still sore from the many hours of laughter.
Applefeld is known as “Mr. Media” in some circles, but he?s probably more well known for being, well, a bit thrifty ? I don?t think he?s paid for a meal in the past 30 years ? and for his uncanny ability to borrow cars (just ask R. Stembler Nissan?s Dave Snyder).
The evening?s festivities kicked off at China Best in Owings Mills, where more than 80 of Applefeld?s friends had gathered to compare Applefeld war stories. Some even brought along old photos, or evidence, as some would say.
Channel 13?s Richard Sher and Ron Matz and 101.9-FM?s Steve Rouse served as emcees. Sher, in Leno-esque style, kept the ball rolling, and to say he was anything less than hilarious would be a major injustice.
This celebration was the brainchild of local celebrity Downtown Diane, who worked very hard on behalf of her pal Applefeld in getting this gang together. She even tracked down five of Applefeld?s former girlfriends, who ? for obvious reasons ? wish to remain nameless. Those in the crowd included LaMar Video?s Marc Solomon, Larry Bridge and his wife, Lynn, Timonium Dinner Theater owners Mary Ann and Mimmie Lorenzo, fabulous PR guru Edie Brown, CBS Radio?s Hal Martin, retired Evening Sun movie critic Lou Cedrone and his wife, Nancy, WCBM?s GM Bob Petit and former Sun columnist Michael Olesker. To Olesker, Sher quipped, “Mike, thanks for taking the night off to be here.” The crowd roared.
It wasn?t only laughs that guests were treated to. Great sushi and the China Best?s signature fare received top-notch reviews, as did Barry Manilow impersonator and funnyman Russ Clarke. The beautiful and buff Mary Ann Cricchio, owner of Little Italy?s famous DaMimmo?s, made a gift presentation, which poked fun at Applefeld?s advancing age, that had ESPN?s Tom Davis and his wife, Bonnie, in tears.
Ribbing by Sher and Matz reached the chest-high level, when the emcees announced that ? through their observations ? Downtown Diane?s attributes were, well, the largest in the room. “No, no, not so,” Rouse countered. “Tom Davis has her beat.” Owings Mills hasn?t heard such laughter.
Also enjoying the side-splitting fun were two of Applefeld?s friends who have found success outside of the Baltimore area ? Mark Rosenker, chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, and Irwin Stern, who originated the JerryGarcia tie line and brought some as party favors.
As I was heading out, Channel 13?s Marty Bass stopped me and said: “That was like living a John Waters movie.”
It was a great night for Applefeld, and a great night for charity as well, since part of the ticket proceeds went to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
An exhibition fit for both man and beast
A preview party was held last Friday night at The American Visionary Art Museum. The party featured music by Caleb Stine & The Brakemen, which got everyone in the mood for the newest of the museum?s mega exhibitions. Director Rebecca Alban Hoffberger welcomed supporters for the unveiling of their latest baby, Home & Beast, a celebration of animals in art that is running now through Sept. 2, 2007.
The Maryland Zoo chipped in by bringing a beautiful toucan named Sam and a python, whose name I didn?t catch ? since I made sure I was way across the room. Clarisse Barnes, of the Maryland SPCA, brought an 8-week-old puppy that was available for adoption.
This exhibition has more than 150 works from about 60 self-taught artists. For information, call 410-244-1900.
Baltimore hospitality has a long reach
Cricchio, the DaMimmo?s owner, is getting ready for a trip next week to Xian, China. Cricchio was invited to speak to the Chinese Hospitality Association on sanitation in preparation of the 2008 Summer Olympics, which China will host. So, ciao baby. ?
Society spotters
The Examiner needs you to be the eyes and ears of Crabtown, and not just B?more. We?re calling on Anne Arundel, Carroll, Harford, Howard and Baltimore counties to chime in, too. If you spot a celeb, let me know at [email protected].
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