Every baseball fan loves home runs. And since the hometown boys of summer have hit a dry spell lately, the folks at The Baltimore Station knocked the cover off the ball recently with their 15th annual “HOMERUN for Recovery” benefit.
“TBS is a therapeutic residential recovery program for men who have been homeless mostly due to chronic substance abuse,” said Development Director Clare Gorman. “We run this unique model at a low cost ? just $35 a day to house, feed and provide services to each man in the program, and that?s almost half the cost of incarceration.”
A grand-slamming group crowded into Nick?s Seafood at the Cross Street Market in Federal Hill for great food and music by Allen Thomas and the Ultimate Rhythm Section. Seen toe-tapping were: Dennis Settle; Louisa Townsend of O?Conor and Mooney; Lippincott, William & Wilkins? Jay Biss; Provident Bank Senior Vice President Tom Crawford; and the big kahuna from Nick?s Seafood, Tom Chagouris.
Mike Seipp, executive director of TBS, joined WJZ-13?s Mark Viviano to host a very lively auction, which included Gov. Martin O?Malley?s suite at Camden Yards for an Orioles game. When the item ? called “It?s a Hit” ? came up for bid, the governor himself tried his hand as auctioneer. O?Malley sent the price right out of the park, as two guests launched a bidding war. Pat Stout and Pamela Hebrank both walked away $9,000 lighter, but both were winners, as Gov. O?Malley donated a second game to accommodate the heavy hitters.
“Now, if we can just get the owner to sell the team,” O?Malley exclaimed. “What?s the next auction item, Mark?”
Next up … the Orioles owner?s box. Winning bid ? $6,000.
TBS board members Allison Barlow, Marc Kantrowski and Shelly Gentile were thrilled with the more than $83,000 raised for the organization.
ONE FUNDRAISER, 780,000 MEALS
Recently, The Maryland Food Bank?s distribution center put aside its nearly 1 million pounds of food to make room for the Blue Jeans Ball, which was held at the center in Halethorpe. More than 550 denim-clad supporters grooved to the sounds of Right On and enjoyed cuisine from Ruth?s Chris Steak House, the Blue Sea Grill and the Babalu Grill, all donated by restaurant king Steve de Castro, who, along with his right-hand man David Sadeghi, was on hand to oversee the massive sit-down.
Steamship Trade Association Vice President David Hartman conducted a very successful live auction, much to the delight of honorary chairs Woody and Cindy Collins, gala chairs Marty and Mary Brunk, and CEO (and new Maryland resident) Deborah Flateman.
“More than $250,000 was raised, which will turn into a million pounds of food and deliver more than 780,000 meals,” said Maryland Food Bank Communication Manager Shanna Yetman.
BOLGIANO?S COW: BEST OF SHOW
Speaking of food, Safeway Inc. recently held a national “Art of Dairy” contest, and the grand champion was Notre Dame Prep junior Mary Regina Bolgiano for her colorful cow statue. The school was awarded $20,000, and Mary Regina and her art teacher, Anne Walker, each were awarded $1,000. Greg Ten Eyck, a spokesman for Safeway, said that the cow was donated back to Notre Dame after its display at the Owings Mills store this week. As for Mary Regina, part of the prize is a flight to California for an appearance Fox-TV?s Fox and Friends.
PICKs OF THE WEEK
What: The fourth annual MentorZing.
Where: The American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway, Baltimore.
When: Tonight, 5:30 to 8:30
Tickets: $125.
Info: Jessica Greaves at 410-685-8316, ext. 223.
What: VIBE 07 ? “A Night of Magic” (to benefit the Hearing and Speech Agency).
Where: The American Visionary Arts Museum, 800 Key Highway, Baltimore.
When: Tomorrow, 7 to 11 p.m.
Tickets: $200.
Info: 410-318-6780.
Society Spotters
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Anne Boone-Simanski is the social columnist for The Baltimore Examiner and can be reached at [email protected] or 410-878-6131.
