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Monday, March 12, 2001

By Marylynn Uricchio, Post-Gazette SEEN Editor

Space and Beyond is pretty far out there, and so was the zodiac fashion show presented by the students of Pittsburgh Beauty Academy Thursday evening. The Gemini twins in matching turquoise wigs were Doubleminty delicious, and Miss Aquarius in liquid azure Lurex was one long drink of water. Best of all, according to an informal poll of men in the audience, was Scorpio in her transparent black baby-doll nightie.

	Nadia Macerelli and Julie Powell watch Halley's Closet fashion show at the Space and Beyond benefit. (Franka Bruns, Post-Gazette)

The home of the brave was the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center, where the second annual Space and Beyond benefit raised money to send deaf children from Pennsylvania to U.S. Space Camp in Alabama. Scholarship applications are processed through the Western Pennsylvania School of the Deaf, and the crowd of both deaf and hearing guests included teachers from the school and its superintendent, Don Rhoten.

But it was Amy Newland who organized the evening once again -- the program is her baby, and she's dedicated enough to get many friends involved both on the committee and as patrons for the party. It's a young, fun crowd, and the benefit has the potential to take off in several directions as it matures. More food would be nice, and live music when the budget permits. Right now all the money is needed for the kids, and that sense of priority is refreshing. Besides, the fashion shows (Halley's Closet with fantasy outfits from New York New York alternated with a more wearable segment) are as entertaining as any band could be.

Kevin Casey and chair Amy Newland. (Franka Bruns, Post-Gazette)

Joining Newland and date Kevin Casey were co-chair Mary Kronk with husband Keith, Susan Biagini, Ted Kotow, James "Doc" Mendelson with Jennifer Clark, Marty Smith, Lisa Weinzetl, Norma Jean Myrick, Rhea Corso, Patty Gifford, Phil Wolfe, Dr. Tim Heffner, David Tesone, Kadee Lewis and Jim Skirboll, Marcia Smith, Jennifer Hoppel, Francois Bitz, Anja Skinner, Ginger Franklin, Michael Pihakis, Mike Wolff and Sandra Beck, Thad Detillo, Jack Rosenberger, PBA's Art DeConsillis Jr., Jennifer Jones, Dan Oates (who runs a similar program in West Virginia that sends blind children to space camp), John and Paula Wight, Dr. James Bernauer, Kelly Aultz, Michael Fallon, Claude and Laura Kronk, John Cooper, Jill Newland, Beth Bartolowitsk, Greg Schneider, Julie Beck, Jennifer Skupnik, Linda Langer, Jeff Petrack and some 300 more.