June 22, 2011–Guests joined EFFEN at the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago as local mixologists competed to design the best vodka martini. Attendees were able to sample delicious EFFEN cocktails as well as vote for the best martini.
June 27, 2011—Chicago magazine, Pipeworks Brewing Company, and the Map Room celebrated the summer and the local craft beer scene with a complimentary keg of 5 Rabbit.
June 17, 2011–Brittney Payton emceed the evening and presented the 20 most eligible singles at Summer Lovin’. Over 1,000 guests tasted bites from Chicago Q, Crumbs Bake Shop, District Bar Chicago, foodlife, Frontier, Hub 51, Il Mulino, M Burger, Nacional 27, Pompei, The Purple Pig, Tassos, Texas de Brazil, Wolfgang Puck, and Zocalo. Amazing Cosmetics’ bronzing station was a hit with party-goers as they relaxed and recharged in the vitaminwater lounge. Spex and Ravinia had photo opportunities at the event. Guests admired the new 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLKs showcased outside. Cocktails were provided by Don Julio, Bulleit Rye, Bud Select 55, Ketel One, Nuvo, Tanqueray No.Ten, Zacapa Rum and The Naked Grape. The raffle was generously donated by Waikiki Parc and American Airlines while the silent auction was sponsored by It’s Just Lunch.
June 17, 2011 — Chicago magazine and the Auxiliary Board of Northwestern Memorial Hospital celebrated Chicago magazine’s 20 most eligible singles in Chicago with the 11th annual Summer Lovin’ event. Over 1,000 guests gathered to enjoy an evening complete with tasty hors d’oeuvres from 15 of the city’s hottest restaurants, an array of signature cocktails, a silent auction, a Hawaiian vacation raffle, a photo booth, green carpet, dancing, and much more. All proceeds from the 2011 event support research and therapies for stroke patients at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
June 11, 2011 — Heartland Alliance held the 18th annual Celebration of Home & Garden in Harbor Country, Michigan. Over 850 guests came out to enjoy the day and tour magnificent and unique properties. This year, for the first time, guests enjoyed an al fresco lunch in the elegant pastoral setting of Burscott Park, a private estate in New Troy, Michigan. Exquisitely prepared, locally grown food, and hand-crafted local wines were served. Guests wandered through gardens and were serenaded by a strolling violinist.
The 18th Annual Celebration of Home & Garden benefitted the work of Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights, an organization that helps people who are threatened by poverty or danger to improve their lives and realize their human rights.
Visit www.homeandgardentour.com for more information.
April 16, 2011 -– The Heartland Alliance held a preview party at the Lost Dunes Golf Club to announce the features for the 2011 Celebration of Home & Garden tour to be held on June 11th in Harbor Country, Michigan. The Celebration of Home & Garden benefits Heartland Alliance’s affordable housing initiatives for low income families in Chicago and the Midwest. The tour is a southwest Michigan and northern Indiana tradition for 850 attendees and features some of the most architecturally significant homes and breathtaking gardens in Harbor Country. For more information, visit www.homeandgardentour.com.
April 13, 2011 — The Merchandise Mart unveiled the 7th annual DreamHome at an exclusive preview gala, which benefited the UCCRF Women’s Board. The gala raised funds to support basic cancer biology research at the University of Chicago Cancer Research Center. Attendees were the first to see this year’s DreamHome featuring nine elegant and sophisticated rooms by Chicago’s top designers, such as Julia Buckingham Edelmann, Frank Ponterio, Michael Abrams, and more. The 2011 DreamHome is open to the public through December 9, 2011.
April 16, 2011–The Women’s Board of the Chicago Zoological Society hosted the 30th annual Whirl at Brookfield Zoo on April 16. The theme for the black-tie fundraiser was “Whirl on the Shimmering Seas” in celebration of 50 years of caring for dolphins at Brookfield Zoo as well as commemorating 40 years of dolphin research in Sarasota Bay, Florida. The $600-per-person gala was chaired by Mrs. James (Kay) M. Guyette of Chicago. The event, which was attended by more than 700 guests, began at the zoo’s Seven Seas exhibit, where, guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres amongst the zoo’s seven Atlantic bottlenose dolphins followed by dinner in the Grand Tent. Proceeds, which grossed approximately $1.3 million, will support the animals at Brookfield Zoo, as well as the Chicago Zoological Society’s conservation and education programs.
March 20, 2011 — Lewis Floor & Home in Northbrook hosted a “How to Get Started” kitchen and bath remodeling seminar. The room was filled with fifty engaged guests from the Chicago area. Jan Parr, editor of Chicago Home + Garden, kicked off the presentation with photos highlighting the latest inspirational trends in kitchen and bath design. Representatives from Abt and Kohler introduced the newest in appliances and plumbing fixtures. Jennifer Ephraim, Lewis’ kitchen and bath designer, explained the necessary planning, plus lifestyle and design steps to guide homeowners through their projects. Susie Axelrad, tile buyer at Lewis, inspired attendees by sharing actual tiles with the audience that brought all these room scenes to life.
March 11, 2011 — The Chicago Architecture Foundation, in partnership with Capital Properties and Metro / SmartBar, hosted an evening full of midcentury modern design at Chicago’s storied Inland Steel Building. Guests sipped on midcentury-inspired cocktails (neat or on the rocks?), relaxed in iconic Eames lounge chairs, and mingled with local artists, fashionistas, furniture designers, and architects. Deejays Kid Color, Nate Manic, and Bald Eicon set the mood throughout the night as guests danced against the backdrop of a downtown skyline. ICON was sponsored by Chicago Home + Garden, Herman Miller, Bacardi, and Hangar One. Proceeds benefited the Chicago Architecture Foundation.
