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Cocktails in the Battery Bosque Gardens for the 17th Battery Conservancy Gala: Born Green. |
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| Four hundred and fifty civic-minded New Yorkers converged on the historic banks of The Battery the evening of June 5th to celebrate the 17th Battery Conservancy's Gala, raising over $1.2 million for the rebuilding of these 25 acres which were Born Green. From the receding ice age, to 10,000 years of Native American habitation, to the settlements of New Amsterdam and New York, the tip of Manhattan has been Green. Today The Battery Conservancy is making sure it stays Green, with a one acre Urban Farm and the largest perennial gardens in North America, which are free and open to the public every day of the year. "This year marks a paramount moment with 97% of the landscape being rebuilt or now in construction," stated William C. Rudin, Chairman of The Battery Conservancy. "It has been a demanding 18 years of dedicated work by generous private individuals partnering with the City of New York." On June 5th The Battery Conservancy honored two of its great contributors: The masterful and creative builder Melvyn Kaufman (1924-2012) was remembered for his life as a visionary leader in great design in architecture, public art and public plazas, and for his behind-the-scenes generosity to The Battery Conservancy. His wife Liz Atwood accepted the Battery Medal for Design Excellence in his honor, presented by NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. |
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| The Battery is also leading the way in technological access with the gift of free wi-fi from AT&T. Marissa Shorenstein, President of AT&T New York, accepted the Battery Medal for Corporate Leadership presented by Rachel Sterne, Chief Digital Officer in the Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment, and Parks Comm. Adrian Benepe. AT&T has begun a five-year initiative to provide free wi-fi service at 26 locations in 20 NYC parks across the five boroughs. The Battery was one of the first parks to receive free wi-fi service, which was installed in the Battery Bosque Gardens and the Liberty and Ellis Island Ferry Landings. The benefactor sponsor of the evening was EmblemHealth. Lead gifts were made by Liz Atwood, AT&T, Chris and Sharon Davis, EmpireBlueCross BlueShield and Statue Cruises, A Hornblower Company. The gala dinner took place under a magnificent tent erected along the Battery seawall with breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty and the NY Harbor. In attendance were Abby and Rob Goldstein, Deborah Needleman and Jacob Weisberg, Campbell Brown, Robert Pini, and Christine and Cromwell Coulson. Cultural leaders included MAD Emeritus Chairperson Barbara Tober and her husband Donald, former Chairperson of Dance Theater Workshop Ginny Millhiser, Founding Board Member of the Smithsonian Archives of American Art Barbara Fleischman, Guggenheim architectural curator David van der Leer, artist Paula Hayes, and award-winning graphic designer Stephen Doyle. |
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Charlotte Glasser, Adrian Benepe, Liz Atwood, Bill Castro, and Warrie Price |
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| Philanthropists in attendance included Fernanda Kellogg, Chairman of Tiffany & Company Foundation, Fran Laserson, President of the Moody's Foundation, Helena Durst, Chris Buck, Jeanette Sarkisian Wagner, Deborah and Peter Krulewitch, Douglas Thomas, Joan K. Davidson, Carl and Betty Pforzheimer, Mary Jane Brock, Tracy and Frank Bisignano, and Ophelia and Bill Rudin. Auction items included art pieces from Paula Hayes, Jeff Zimmerman with R20th Century Gallery, Frank Gehry's Twist Cubes with Heller, and movie premiere tickets to The Silver Lining Playbook and Django Unchained. A great night was had by all who celebrate and support our new Downtown with its expanding waterfront parks, which have taken their lead from The Battery, Born Green. |
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Florence and Robert Kaufman |
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Patricia Dunnington, David van der Leer, Carlos Motta, and Warrie Price |
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Donald and Barbara Tober with Bill Rudin |
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Fred Steinberg and Sharon Casdin |
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Genie and Bob Birch with Steve Whitehouse |
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Larry and Ann Buttenweiser with Deborah Krulewitch |
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Liz Atwood and Bill Rudin |
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Bill and Ophelia Rudin |
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Joan K. Davidson and Alex Reese |
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Cathy Coughlin and Neil Giacobbi |
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Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz and Laurel Pinson |
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| Last month in Chicago, more than 500 of Chicago's most prominent and civically-involved individuals attended the Alliance Française de Chicago Woman's Board's Biennial Gala, Le Bal Magique du Maroc. Led by Woman's Board President Michèle Archambault, the Moroccan-themed Gala was hosted by Honorary Co-Chair Mitzi Freidheim, and Gala Co-Chairs Suzette Bulley and Margaret Unetich. Guests of Honor included His Excellency Mohamed Bouhlal, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United States, His Excellency François Delattre, Ambassador of France to the United States, and Mr. Graham Paul, Consul General of France in Chicago. |
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| World-renowned French Chevalier des Arts and Lettres Perfumer, Francis Kurkdjian from Paris attended the event and developed a personalized scent for the auction souks and ballroom fountain. The auction souks were created by draping colorful fabric across tent-like fixtures and the floors were covered in beautiful Moroccan rugs. Moroccan performers – a henna artist, belly dancer and juggler– entertained guests as they sipped specialty orange-blossom cocktails and champagne. |
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| Moroccan slippers in the Auction Souk area |
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| The Gala was a huge success, raising more than $700,000. The generous donations will assist the educational and cultural programs at the Alliance Française de Chicago. Leslie Hindman of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers conducted a live auction with a weekend stay at the Château de Chambord, a private stay at the Moroccan palace Palais Lamrani, a private dinner at the Moroccan Ambassador's Washington, D.C. home, exquisite jewelry - 18 carat white gold and diamond chandelier earrings and 18 carat white gold and diamond bracelet from Sidney Garber and week-long stays on the French Riviera and in St. Barth's. |
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| Kim Merlin of KKM Designs transformed the Four Seasons Hotel Grand Ballroom into a magical Moroccan garden inspired by Yves Saint Laurent's and Pierre Bergé's Jardin Majorelle in Marrakesh. |
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| The table décor featured Moroccan tea glasses filled with hydrangeas and colorful roses. Pink henna patterns were illuminated on the side walls, giving the ballroom an exotic glow. |
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| Four Seasons Executive Chef Kevin Hickey served a Moroccan feast, featuring baby spinach salad with dates, orange segments, almonds and mint vinaigrette, roasted chicken breast stuffed with merguez with Mquatli sauce, stuffed tomatoes, Moroccan couscous and fig almond macaroon with orange blossom gelée. Legendary Chicago Philanthropists Bill Kurtis and Donna La Pietra served as Masters of Ceremony for the evening. Jack McCord, Executive Director of the Alliance Française de Chicago, highlighted students from the Awards Towards Excellence, an outreach and after-school immersion program sponsored by the Alliance Française de Chicago's Educational Outreach Program. Guests danced the night away to the music of Stu Hirsch Orchestra. |
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| Ms. Michèle Archambault and Jack McCord |
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| His Excellency Mohamed Bouhlal, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United States |
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| The Alliance Française de Chicago was founded in 1897 and incorporated in 1901 under the leadership of prominent Chicagoans and founding board trustees. The Alliance Française de Chicago is Chicago's not-for-profit French cultural and learning center dedicated to the study of French language, cultural exchange and friendship between Americans and French-speaking people. |
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| Women’s Board Member Betsey Pinkert, Norman Bobins, and Vicki Hood |
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| Woman’s Board Members Kristina Schneider and Patty Simpson with John Fornengo |
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| Isabelle de la Vauvre, François Delattre, His Excellency Ambassador of France to the United States, His Excellency Mohamed Bouhlal, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United States, Hervé de la Vauvre, President of the Alliance Française of Chicago, and Fatiha Bouhlal |
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| Sharon and Eric Langshur, Woman’s Board Member Lisa Bailey, and Curt Bailey |
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| Senior Chair Member Catherine Graham, Woman’s Board Member Lili Gaubin, and Mike McCahon |
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| Alliance former chair Tom Sheffield and Woman’s Board Member Gloria Groom |
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| Bruce and Michèle Gelman, Woman’s Board Member Danielle, and Congressman Bob Dold |
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| Woman’s Board Member Nena Ivon and Cheryl Dyer |
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| Lili Gaubin, Bernard Quancard, and Harriet Gulis |
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| French Chevalier des Arts and Letters Perfumer, Francis Kurkdjian |
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| David Pisor, Carl Kocher, and Nick Kokonas |
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| Lori Soudor, Jennifer Harrell, and Alison McNally |
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| Auctioneer Leslie Hindman with Masters of Ceremony Bill Kurtis and Donna La Pietra |
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| Christian and Courtney Pitt |
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| Solange and Bill Brown |
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| Maureen and E.B. Smith |
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| Jean-Pierre and Annie Ergas |
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| Mary Ellen and Kevin Connellan |
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| Consul General Graham Paul and Jocelyn Paul |
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| K.I.D.S. (Kids In Distressed Situations), the pioneering global charity that provides new clothing, shoes, books, educational materials, toys, home goods, and more to children in distressed situations, held its 6th Anniversary Women In Industry Luncheon at The Plaza Hotel on Thursday, May 31. Over 400 men and women from industries that support K.I.D.S., including business executives and not-for-profit leaders joined together to raise awareness, funds and honor those that have made helping children in need their mission. Kathy Ireland, CEO and Chief Designer at kathy ireland Worldwide was honored for her business leadership, as well as her devotion to numerous philanthropic causes and named 2012 K.I.D.S. Women of Achievement, along Sharon John and Sandy Wax. Ms. John is President of Stride Rite Children's Group, a dedicated and compassionate leader who has helped bestow confidence and self-worth to children each year. Sandy Wax is President and General Manager of PBS KIDS Sprout, the first 24-hour online and on demand TV preschool destination for kids 2-5 and their parents and caregivers. Ms. Wax is an equally devoted philanthropist through her support of Cradles to Crayons and Please Touch Children's Museum in Philadelphia. |
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Debra Joester, Sharon John, Kathy Ireland, Sandy Wax, Karen Bromley, and Janice Weinman |
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| For more than 26 years, K.I.D.S. has provided hope and self-esteem to over seventy million children and families that are challenged by poverty, homelessness, domestic abuse, military family service, low literacy, major illness, incarcerated family members and disaster survival. Made possible by the generous donations of outstanding manufacturers and retailers, K.I.D.S. distributes the brand new children's products through its network of nearly one thousand social service agencies across the U.S. and around the world. |
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David Coleman and Janice Weinman |
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Marnie Omanoff and Lynn Zeplowitz |
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Sandy Gundersen, Laura Belvedere, and Renee Pepys Lowe |
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Gizelle Coleman, Donna Charles, Dennis Hughes, and Minette Coleman |
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Anne Dugourd and Jennifer Rotunno |
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| Academy Award-Winner Matt Damon Again Joined Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center in celebrating the Fifth Annual 'the one hundred' on Thursday, June 7 at the Westin Boston Waterfront in Boston. 850 guests attended and celebrated the 2012 one hundred honorees, individuals and groups whose diligence and discoveries, philanthropy and passion have helped advance the fight against cancer. A total of $1.1 million was raised to support Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. Guests included: Dr. Jose Baselga; Chris Cooper; Academy Award-Winner Matt Damon; Celeste and Kent Damon; Vicary Graham; Dr. Daniel Haber; Tom Hamilton; Patti and Jonathan Kraft; Laura and Stephen Lang; Michael Lorber; Bob and Laura Reynolds; Belinda and Henri Termeer and Dr. Steven Zeitels. |
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Henry and India Claudy (honorees) with Matt Damon |
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| Sponsors included: Michael Lorber; Digitas; The Kraft Group; Dr. Daniel Haber and Ellen Cohen; Laura and Stephen Lang; Ute and Patrick Provost; Time, Inc.; John and Carol Barry Foundation; BNY Mellon Wealth Management; Cabot Corporation; Curbside Hospitality and Zipcar. An integral part of one of the world's most distinguished academic medical centers, the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center's commitment to eradicating cancer is fueled by scientific investigation conducted as part of the largest hospital-based research program in the United States. Through a powerful synergy between scientists in the laboratories and physicians at the bedside, the Cancer Center fosters innovation in basic, translational and clinical research. The Mass General Cancer Center can be found online at: www.massgeneral.org/cancer [1]. |
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Matt and Kent Damon |
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Dr. Jose Baselga, Mary Dempsey (honoree and sister of Patrick Dempsey), and Dr. Daniel Haber |
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Tom Hanilton and Patti Kraft |
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Co-chairs: Jonathan and Patti Kraft; Belinda and Henri Termeer, and Vicary Graham |
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Matt Damon and Jonathan Kraft |
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Michael and Anne Hayes |
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Simone and Ted Winston |
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Dr. Jose Baselga and Dr. Daniel Haber |
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Dr. Baselga and Michael Lorber |
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Photographs by PatrickMcMullan.com [2](Playground Partners); Matt West (Massachusetts General Hospital) |