Lake Fong, Post-Gazette Rob Levkulich and Carrie DiFiore party in a crowd of about 1,500 Saturday night at the Blackbird Lofts. Click photo for larger image.

Any seismic activity felt in Lawrenceville Saturday night was due to The Sprout Fund's Hothouse '05 -- a benefit that has definitely blossomed into an annual blowout.

This year 1,500 of Pittsburgh's coolest of the cool collected at the still-under-construction site of the Blackbird Lofts and Artist Studios and the tent across the street. From break dancing in the basement to imbibing Red Bullies (Red Bull and vodka) to bidding and browsing the art exhibit, revelers got the party started early and kept it going late.

It was hard to tell if executive director Cathy Lewis was beaming because of the outstanding response to the fund, and to the fund raiser, or because she and husband Rob Long are expecting their first child. Looking equally happy about all of it was her dad, Eddie Lewis, and his wife, Annie. Putting smiles on the faces of a lot of ladies was actor David Conrad in his tartan kilt and construction boots.

Lake Fong, Post-Gazette David Hoffman rides a bike at the Sprout Fund's "Hothouse" benefit in Lawrenceville. Click photo for larger image.

Flitting about in a toga and crown of laurel was Thommy Conroy (with Jacob Bacharach), who decorated the space with grass chandeliers, masses of sprouts, swags of gauzy fabric and bits and pieces of statuary. Bids on the silent auction and ticket sales went to seed creative endeavors that are meant to shake up the city's sleepy economy. Live performances by Daryl Fleming's Public Domain, Thoth Trio, OPEK, the Vagabond Collective and the Zany Umbrella Circus among others kept the momentum going.

Among those rocking the place to its roots were super stylish Cindy Engler with Rich, Rob Levkulich and Carrie DiFiore, Carter Byham with Nina Fisher, Khari Mosley and Aisha White, Tacy Byham, Tim McVay, Samantha Bennett, Rob Carpenter, Jen Frye with Olivia Kissel, Christine McCrady, Tim Condron, Gavin Benjamin, Richard Parsakian, Carl Kurlander, Ellen and Gregg Kandor, Drs. Andrea Fox and Ken Thompson, Jessica Coup and Scott Bergstein, Bernie Kobosky, Glenn Olcerst and Tom Baron.

-- Patricia Sheridan

	John Heller, Post-Gazette Lidia Matticchio gives Chris Fenamore a cooking tip at the Best Restaurants Party. Click photo for larger image.

More than 1,000 guests descended on the David L. Lawrence Convention Center Monday night for Pittsburgh Magazine and WQED Multimedia's annual Best Restaurants Party.

Offering a selection of their best fare from best chefs were 39 local restaurants, with a special appearance by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich of Lidia's. Lilli Mosco (with Jeff) orchestrated the evening for George and Janet Miles, Deb Acklin, co-chairs Kristine Masta and Kweilyn Murphy, Bill Fuller, Chris Fennimore, Dr. Freddie and Hilda Fu and many more.

Celebrating Robert Page was the mission of the gala that brought 500 guests to the Omni William Penn ballroom Frday night. "Pittsburgh's Own National Treasure" was feted by a host of admirers including honorary chairs Elsie Hillman and Joanne Rogers.

Page has led the Mendelssohn Choir for 26 eventful years and will become director emeritus at the end of 2005. The moving tribute included performances by soloists, surprises appearances from choir members who came in from all over the world and an especially emotional finale wth all choir members in the room singing to Page and his wife, Glynn.

Lake Fong, Post-Gazette Robert and Glynn Page at Mendelssohn Choir Gala Dinner. Click photo for larger image.

A delicious dinner and well-done video tribute capped the evening chaired elegantly by Connie Bernt (with Benno) for guests including board chair Ron Schiller, executive director Vicki Cook, Atilla and Patty Molnar, Bill Trueheart and Carol Word, Larry Tamburri, Mildred Miller Posvar, Jean and Hax McCullough, Janet Sarbaugh, Andres Cardenes, Mary Jane Jacques and Jerry and Betty Evans, who presented Page with an album of memories. Charlie Gray served as artistic director, and Stephen Klein (with Mary) made a magnificent emcee.

The chuck wagon rolled up to Heinz Field's South Plaza Saturday and was dishing out a Southwest-style soiree for nearly 250 guests of Life'sWork's annual White House Barbecue.

Cowboy boots and big belt buckles were the preferred accoutrements as awardees including Rocky Bleier, J. Kaye Cupples, Melony Farmer and Doug Askews mingled and moseyed. Board chair Ed Aiello and CEO Everett McElveen were among those enjoying the cuisine of cowboy cook Tom Perini. He replicated a U.S. Congressional Barbecue held on the White House lawn in 2002.

	Peter Borsh, Post-Gazette Randy Burt, Lisa Perini and Tom Perini of Perini Ranch Steakhouse, Buffalo Gap, Texas, at the White House BBQ. Click photo for larger image.

Fiddling out two-stepping tunes was fiddling champion Mike Hollerich and Gashouse Annie & The High Octane Band.

-- Patricia Sheridan

Ecumenism was the order of the night Saturday when Rabbi Walter Jacob was invested as a Knight of St. Gregory, one of the highest honors the Roman Catholic church can bestow.

Bishop Donald Wuerl performed the ceremony in the course of an evening that also celebrated Jacob's Golden Jubilee (50th) anniversary as a rabbi. More than 365 guests attended the event at Rodef Shalom Congregation, including co-chairs Goldie and Joel Katz and daughter Amy. Jacob's wife, Irene, and their son Daniel (with Eslyn) attended, along with Irene's brother and nephew, Eli and Ronnie Lowenthal, who came from Israel. Other guests included president of the congregation Susan Kalson (with David), Alan and Sharon Lesgold, Eileen and Nick Lane, Al and Adele Raizman and Rabbi Aaron Bisno with wife Michelle. Artist Lilli Nieland (with Michael) presented Rabbi Jacob with a wonderful portrait, and Dr. Alfred Gottschalk gave the keynote address.

Croatian Ambassador Neven Jurica attended a National Federation of Croatian Americans Wine Tasting Gala Friday at the Mt. Washington home of member Peter Karlovich. A dozen varieties of Croatian wine were sampled as guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and a concert featuring Kume, a female chorale. Honorary Croatian Consul of Pittsburgh Dr. Marion Vujevich served as honorary chair for the gala, with Bill Vergot as chair. Tapping their toes to the Tamburitza combo were Steve Herforth, Dolores Bold, Ed Andrews, Nadine Bognar, John Ward, Marsetta Schweiger and Tad Mully.