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The Rainbow Gala
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Colors for a Cure was the theme of this year's benefit gala for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the pot of gold by the end of Saturday night was filled with $1.1 million.
John Heller, Post-GazetteGreg Jordan and Murry Gerber
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That includes live auction proceeds -- a five-day stay at a Greenbrier residence sold twice for $25,000 -- and some hefty silent auction action. Putting the 750 guests in such a generous mood was a party created by Bonnie Chirigos, as only she can do it. The Pittsburgh Hilton ballroom was divided into five sections, and each was styled after the work of a well-known artist whose giant paintings hung from the ceiling. Especially great was the Andy Warhol section, with red and white checkered linens and his iconic soup cans labeled with "Colors for a Cure."
Nan DeTurk (with Steve), Heidi Brandon (with Darryl) and Mary Beth Allegretti (with Jon) chaired the evening, which included an elegant dinner of filet mignon and white chocolate bread pudding.
After a welcome from WTAE's Sally Wiggin and Western Pennsylvania Chapter JDRF president Mark Gleason, 2007 Gala Honoree Murry Gerber, chairman and CEO of Equitable Resources, was introduced.
Corporate chair Greg Jordan, firm-wide managing partner of Reed Smith, was also introduced before auctioneer Jim Jungers went to work collecting mega bids.
Fab Gary Racan and the studio-e band revved up the after-dinner crowd.
Rachel Carson Gala
"Pittsburgh is so good about celebrating its native sons, so it's nice that today we are celebrating its most important native daughter, Rachel Carson," said Teresa Heinz Kerry as she addressed 650 guests during the Rachel Carson Homestead Association's Centennial Legacy Celebration Gala at the Sen. John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center Friday night.
The sold-out event to launch the Rachel Carson Legacy Challenge: Green Steps for a Sustainable Future began with a cocktail reception, which took advantage of a perfect (not so silent) spring evening that had guests enjoying the great outdoors from the fifth-floor terrace.
J. Monroe Butler II, Post-GazetteSasha (Mrs. Chris) Heinz and her mother-in-law, Teresa Heinz Kerry.
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Doreena BalistreireDapper Dan 2007 awardees: Dan Rooney, Swin Cash, and Sidney Crosby.
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The program included readings by Carnegie Mellon University vice provost for education Dr. Indira Nair, Carnegie Science Center director Joanna Haas, Chatham College president Dr. Esther Barazzone, Susan G. Komen for the Cure Pittsburgh executive director Jo Ann Meier and actress Kaiulani Lee. But the highlight was an outstanding performance by the Indigo Girls.
Dapper Dan Dinner
More than 1,000 guests filled the David L. Lawrence Convention Center ballroom last night for the 2007 Annual Dapper Dan Dinner & Sports Auction, hosted by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dapper Dan Charities to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania. Dan Rooney received the Lifetime Achievement Award, Penguin Sydney Crosby was honored as Sportsman of the Year, and WNBA all-star Swin Cash received the Sportswoman of the Year award.
First Published April 22, 2007 8:29 pm
