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Monday, September 8, 2008
Back at it
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My first stop on my first day back after being gone for five weeks was Monday’s Corps de Ballet luncheon, benefiting the Atlanta Ballet.
“This is where all the fashionable people are today,” declared ballet artistic director John McFall.
Indeed, the capacity crowd of around 500 included most of Atlanta’s usual social suspects: Marlene Alexander, Melanie Boltax, Sally Dorsey, Mary Frances Garrett, Kristin Gibbs, Jada Loveless, Leslie McLeod, Eileen Rosencrants, Dottie Smith, Karin Smithson, and Lisa Tush, to name a few.
Victoria Palefsky, who hasn’t lived in Atlanta long but has jumped into the social scene with both feet, gave me an update. The Mobile, Ala. native who moved here with her husband from San Francisco just in time to chair last year’s Atlanta Symphony ball, is already cracking on a March 21 event benefiting the Alliance.
The ladies of Table 25 appeared to be in cahoots with someone. Three people at that table - located at the front, right beside the stage - won raffle prizes. But Kate Denny, Susan McDowell and Caroline Tucker had all bought their tickets at different times and locations. They must just be living right.
Joanne Chesler Gross called for order at her table to toast the engagement of Cathy Cooper. Best wishes to the bride and congratulations to Brad Champion
McFall, who entertained with a graceful plie, reminded everyone of the ballet’s new performance home, the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, although the Nutcracker will still be at the Fox.
He also saluted the men in the audience, as the Corps de Ballet luncheon tends to be mostly women. Guys in the crowd included ballet chair Sandy Rose, dancer Christian Clark, guest Timothy Wright, Blue MedSpa’s John Stupka and gallery owner Timothy Tew, who will co-chair the 2009 ballet ball with Michelle Edwards Croslan, an attorney with Smith, Gambrell & Russell.
The Corps de Ballet luncheon, chaired by Amy Nelson and Crystal Cox, moved to the Buckhead Ritz this year.
“It was a very late night, setting up in this room,” Nelson said during her welcoming remarks.
The crowd heard from ballet executive director Barry Hughson, who noted corporate support is a vital component of a thriving arts scene.
“We are embarking on a transformational time in the Atlanta Ballet,” said Hughson, who announced that Belk has signed on as a corporate sponsor for two years.
Photos are coming, so stay tuned.
Mark your calendars
The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta’s Young Adults Department plans a September Soiree from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Meet and greet and nibble on complimentary appetizers. It’s $5 for members and $10 for non-members.Come toast the New Year starting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at Bluepointe in Buckhead. Enjoy a complimentary apple-tini and appetizers. (The Rosh Hashanah resolutions are free, too.) The evening is sponsored by Stephanie and Jay Meiselman and family and is $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Details: 678-812-3982, youngadults@atlantajcc.org or atlantajcc.org.
A night to remember, hope
Bethany Diamond felt helpless when she lost a dear friend to ovarian cancer five years ago.
Then she got busy.
As a tribute to the late Debbie Flamm, Diamond launched Ovarian Cycle to raise money for research. This year Diamond’s group held its fifth annual “Ride to Change the Future,” a six-hour, indoor bike ride. More than 230 people participated, raising more than $230,000.
On Sept. 17, Diamond will present checks to Ovarian Cancer Institute and the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund at Bazzaar in Midtown. (www.bazzaaratlanta.com.) The event, from 6 to 8 p.m., features appetizers and a cash bar; a minimum donation of $20 is requested.
Ovarian Cycle will also launch “Talk Teal,” a partnership with Ovarian Cancer Institute and the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance to raise awareness of the disease, often detected when it’s too late. To become a Teal Ribbon sponsor at the $100 level and above, call 404-271-6787, or e-mail anne.ehlers@ovariancycle.org. For more information, see www.ovariancycle.org.
Social column smackdown
There’s not usually a lot of fighting going on at events I cover on the society beat Well, at least none I’m supposed to see, anyway.
It’s high time that changed. The first two people to buy VIP tables at Wild Bill’s “Fight Night” event Sept. 19 win gloves signed by mixed martial arts fighter Randy Couture.
While you’re there, enter to win gift cards, diamond studs or Citizen watches from D. Geller & Son.
Info: 404-626-2126.
Remembering and moving forward
Photo by Thomas E. Franklin, The Bergen Record
On Sept. 11, 2001, the Rev. John Moeller was where he is much of the time: at the MUST Ministries headquarters, where homeless and at-risk families come for food, emergency shelter and financial assistance.
As the staff and volunteers absorbed the terrible news, they gathered in a circle with clients who were receiving services at MUST that day.
As the group joined hands in remembrance, a homeless man spoke up.
“Those people in New York, they need our help,” he said, digging into his pocket for a few coins. Other clients followed his example, taking up a meager offering that was a treasure nonetheless, Moeller said.
“They gave their last pennies for neighbors they didn’t know,” he said.
On Thursday night, the seventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks, Moeller and his wife, the Rev. Laurie Moeller, hosted a group of friends at their east Cobb home.
The crowd enjoyed a spread provided by Carriage House Catering and beverages from Sherlock’s. Co-hosts included Jim and Ellen Westbrock, Clint and Cathy Donley and David and Missy Worden.
The evening event, featuring live music, was meant to raise awareness about MUST and the people it serves. To learn more see the MUST site.
