More gatherings and notable events...

Monday, March 12, 2001

Tyrolean Triumph
The Aussies may have Waltzing Matilda, but the Austrians hold all the dance cards with music masters including Strauss and Mozart. Celebrating that notion and highlights of the Hapsburg reign was the Austrian American Cultural Society of Pittsburgh.

Elisabeth and George Mandi

Its 16th Austrian Ball at the Sheraton Station Square was strudels of fun for guests who waltzed the winter weather away Saturday night to the sounds of Haller's Abend Musik. Applauding the Alpine attitude were honorary Austrian Consul to Pittsburgh Edgar Braun with Georgine, ball chair George Mandl with Elisabeth, emcee Franz Josef Stehr with Dolores, James Falcioni, Dr. Peter and Eva Safar and Dr. Joseph and Heidi Novak. Celeste Parrendo's hand-painted banner of the double-headed eagle, which was the emblem of the once-powerful Austrian Empire, served as a backdrop as guests dined and danced.

-- Patricia Sheridan

Capital Cuisine
No pardon was necessary for former White House Chef Hans Raffert (with Doris), who once again delivered a presidential banquet at the Rivers Club Saturday night. The 11th Annual White House Dinner to benefit Life'sWork of Western Pennsylvania featured a menu that was served during the first Bush administration to 25 governors, including Bill Clinton.

	Vicki and Ross Craig. (Lake Fong, Post-Gazette)

Welcoming guests before the first course of Coquille of Maryland Crabmeat were chairs Vicki and Ross Craig, who also honored Bayer and Highmark with the Presidential Sponsorship Award. Following dessert and "Broadway Tonight" entertainment, guests were given reproduction plates featuring one of 12 White House china patterns. Plate-cated were guest speaker John Jaworski with Melissa, Rick and Sharon Larimer, John Connelly with Audree Wirginis, Dick and Jane Vandermade, Lawrence and Becky Stern and Irene and Russell Lanza.

-- P.S.

Living Legends
The 10th anniversary of Community Media was a tribute to the fine work its director, Billy Jackson, has done in making the media arts accessible to residents of lower- income neighborhoods. More than 800 guests came to celebrate with him at the Carnegie Music Hall Saturday night with a Living Legends Tribute to Gordon Parks.

Billy Jackson, Gordon Parks and Harry Belafonte. (Lake Fong, Post-Gazette)

The renowned photographer, filmmaker, playwright and composer was surrounded by admirers during a VIP reception before he received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Equally besieged was Harry Belafonte, who flew in from New York with his wife, Julie, to present the award. Among the guests enjoying the program were honorary chair George Miles with Janet, Albert French, the Rev. Harold and Claudette Lewis, Esther Bush, Mona Generett, Sala Udin, Richard Gilcrease, Barbara and Harry Clark, Judith Griggs, Dana Payne, Carmelle Nickens and Michael Phillips.

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