Lifestyles

One of the many things we adore about our city is the celebration of a rich, cultural heritage that has served as a common bond for generations. On Saturday, we had the pleasure of expanding our tunnel vision beyond the Three Rivers to join the Women's Committee of the Westmoreland Museum of American Art for an evening that glittered in nothing less than 24 karats.

Golden Reflections: The Fiftieth Anniversary Museum Ball had us reveling in our own renaissance as we sipped champagne and reacquainted ourselves with classic works from artists such as Mary Cassatt, Winslow Homer and John Singleton Copley.

Dinner-bell chiming, committee prexy Kathy Hollahan and co-chair Vonda Lynch escorted us outside to the white tent, where the gentle flickering of candlelight cast an elegant glow. Tables were adorned with shimmering gold linens and lush centerpieces a la Greensburg Floral of pink roses and peonies, purple and white snapdragons, and yellow lilies delicately arranged amongst tall candelabra.

Once seated, it was only natural that conversation was painted with welcomed news flashes from Detroit, thanks to museum CEO Judy O'Toole. "We don't have cable at the museum, but we do have radios, so I promise to keep you updated!"

Craving more, we set our sights on courses so masterfully presented by The Common Plea that we felt as though we were about to slice into miniature works of art. Served on a cucumber canvas, our entrees were the definition of culinary perfection; peppered, sliced flat-iron steak, poached salmon with dill creme fraiche and grilled pineapple over forbidden rice followed by a triple threat of lemon roulade, chocolate mousse cups and sabayon with berries.

Waving our forks in sweet surrender, we followed the tap happy sounds of Rick Purcell and his orchestra, who had us waltzing our worries away well into the night.

Among the 144 art aficionados toasting the next 50 years were Bill Bodine; Dr. Peter and Diana Jannetta; Judge James and Pat Kelley; Mike and Paula Langer; Eric and Laura Widing; Rose Mack and James Donatelli; Jack and Anne Robertshaw; Lea Simonds and Harley Trice; Harry and Jane Thompson; Molly and Joseph Walton; Anita and Charles Manoli; and Barbara and Christopher Nakles.

Also, Jack and Jeanne Purcell; David and Linda Assard; Frank and Mimi DeBlasio; Karen and Gerry Fajt; Max and Nancy Kuniansky; Marie and David Gallatin; Sally Rager; Sharyn and Robert Sekora; Libbet and Robert Weidlein; Cynthia Snodgrass; Ruth McDonald; Loretta McBroom; Marilyn and James Gaut; Karen Rich Douglas; and Brendan and Natalie Kelley.

Polotini

Two clicks of our heels through the doors of Saks on Friday had us immediately singing a song of there's-no-place-like-home, surrounded by all things Manolo, Prada and Gucci during Polotini, the shop 'till you drop for Family House, which provides a home away from home for seriously ill patients and their families who travel to our city for treatment.

Lower level, the runway was shaken, not stirred with media celeb models including Sonni Abatta, Andrew Shockey, Sally Wiggin, Rich Walsh and even one faux-lebrity (who shall remain nameless) who, thank her lucky 5-inch, red python Jimmy Choo's, managed to haute couture it down the catwalk without getting tangled up and blue.

Never a group to worry about turning into pumpkins after midnight, afterward, the fashion flock scuttled over to The Capital Grille for another round, raising our glasses to co-chairs Laura Penrod Kronk and Carrie Conboy for a truly refreshing evening that should be bottled and served chilled.

"No better way to spend a Friday," cheered more than one die-hard. Agreed! Twenty lashes with the Louboutin's if you missed this one.

Amongst the 350 staying fabulous were director Christie Knott with Ian; Sandy and Bernie Pinsker; Doug German and Christina O'Toole; Saks GM Karen Peter; Mary, Jack and Tim McVay with David Bush; Beth Kuhn; Margaret Cates; Samantha Barber; David Onufer; and Michael DelGrosso.

Top Honors

The future's so bright, no doubt these young adults have to wear shades. On Friday evening, The Neighborhood Academy held its Faces of the Future Benefit Gala and Graduation Celebration at the St. Lawrence O'Toole Activity Center to laud the outstanding achievements of its 2009 graduating class.

Soul Village kept our tootsies on a roll as we shopped an assortment of original student artwork that included mosaic frames, beaded necklaces and glasswork, and silent-auction items (the Kiawah Island getaway had sun worshippers mentally packing their suitcases).

Founded 16 years ago by Jodie Moore and the Rev. Thomas Johnson as a summer school for at-risk youth, the overwhelmingly positive response resulted in the creation of a full-day school a few years later. Our hats are off to this fabulous class of five and their tremendous dedication to not only their education, but to achieving their dreams, participating in a nearly 12-hour daily schedule that included morning worship, college prep courses, cultural arts, athletics and community service.

We look forward to seeing where their paths take them and the impact they are surely to make on our corner and beyond!

Amongst the crowd were co-chairs Debbie Dick and Sandra Levis; Jean Haller; Julie Langley; Kathy Lalor; Peggy and Steve McKnight; Mernie Berger; Franco Harris; Rose and Bill Strickland; Steve Webster and Carol Caroselli; Debbie Demchak; Diane Holder; Lowrie Ebbert; Stephanie Flannery; and Joan and Tom Taylor.

Carousel Tea

Good golly, Miss Molly! Not a single cloud in those sunny blue skies for 300 cutie pies who arrived bright eyed and bushy tailed for the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy's Children's Carousel Tea on Saturday afternoon at Schenley Plaza.

Little ladies came dressed in frills that were every shade of darling, while the junior gents looked quite dapper in their mini bow ties. Faces were aglow with 10-mile-wide smiles as sweet tarts waited patiently in line for a spin on the merry-go-round, having already taken painstaking measures to claim dibs on the whimsical creature of their liking (which, by the way, is always key to an enjoyable ride!).

Under the big red top, the Zany Umbrella Circus had us stepping right up to our Crayola-colored tables as they flew high above our heads with the greatest of ease, flipping and dipping like tumbleweeds blowing in the breeze.

Enjoying the show were Kenneth and Lisa Spiegel with Clara; Charles Masterson with Grace; Sara Scaife with Sally; Kiya Tomlin with Harlyn; David Oritz with Carlos; Tonja Condron with Iain and Ava; and Illah Nourbakhsh with Mitra Louw and Nikou Barend.

Flash!

The Sirani Gallery in Squirrel Hill held a special reception to benefit The Simon Youth Foundation, where artiphiles added a splash of color to their Saturday with the cosmic imagery of artist Peter Max.

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