Black Tie & Tales

+ Fashion Week at DWB
Designing Women Boutique, our town’s charity consignment boutique, is going all out for its fifth annual Fashion Week, the first under the leadership of its president, Diane Roskamp. Thursday, Dec. 10, there is a trunk show by Lana Shelden, an importer of jewelry (pearls, silks and tassels) from the Far East. Friday, Dec. 11, features Deborah Van Cleve, owner of one of the finest boutiques on the Philadelphia Main Line, with separates and accessories. She returns Monday, Dec. 14, with incredible designer gowns in a dual trunk show with jewelry designer Nikki Sedacca.

The big fashion show and dinner takes place at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at the boutique on Tamiami Trail at 13th Street. Themed “Cocktails, Couture & Cuisine,” it will feature the shop’s new cookbook, “Where Fashion Meets Food,” in addition to a spectacular runway show styled by Jewel Ash. Nate Jacobs and the West Coast Black Theatre Troupe will provide entertainment, emcee will be Carolyn Michel, dinner is by Phil Mancini and a trunk show of fine gemstones and jewelry will be put on by Marian Strickland. Mary Ann Robinson and Janet Hunter are co-chairwomen. Janet says she will accommodate BT&T readers with late reservations, but you must call her no later than Dec. 11 at 371-6798. Tickets are $150, including dinner and open bar. Black Tie Editor Stephanie Hannum is one of the 30-plus local beauties who will model, and BT will be there wearing basic black and my trusty Canon. We look forward to seeing you there.

+ National Dream Lady
”My dream is to becum the president” is one of the messages on Wakeland (Bradenton) School’s tree displayed at the just-finished Crosley Festival. It makes all the sense in the world, especially because it comes from a second-grade student taught by Beverly Wolfkill, a real believer in dreams, who just won the National American Dream Lady pageant. That competition is part traditional pageant with gown and bathing-suit competitions and an interview, but it also has a strong community-service component. Wolfkill’s own dream is for every child to feel loved and safe. Congratulations, Beverly!

+ Queen of Guilds
Anne Howard is an unquestioned leader when it comes to guilds, the auxiliary groups dedicated to raising funds for arts organizations. She cut her teeth running the Asolo Angels for five years. She is the founder and president of the Banyan Theatre Guild, for which she was honored last week by the Fine Arts Society of Sarasota. And now, at the request of its new leadership including Chris Jennings, Howard Millman and Michael Sheldon, she is forming a guild and recruiting members for the West Coast Black Theatre Troupe Guild. If you are interested in being part of either the Banyan or WCBTT organizations, call Anne at 358-6789. Of course, she wants you to know about the next event to benefit the Banyan: “A Sunday in Fairytale Garden” from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Dec. 13, at the home of Masha and Vincent Murillo. The $7 entry fee for the tour of Fairytale House supports the “Banyan Becoming” series of staged readings of new plays.

+ $200,000 worth of celebration
The Senior Friendship Center’s Health Services holiday party Dec. 3, at the Oaks Country Club was exceptionally festive this year thanks to a major announcement. Dr. Robert Gussin and his wife, Dr. Patricia Gussin, made a lead gift of $100,000 to establish an Endowment for Healthy Aging and named it in honor of Dr. Albert Resnick, a volunteer doctor at the SFC clinic since 1990, its medical director for 12 years and a member of the board of governors. On learning this, Resnick’s daughter and son-in law, Wesley and Bill Janeway, also made a $100,000 donation. It was a big night, not just for the more than 180 guests at the event, but for the thousands of seniors who rely on the Friendship Center’s medical clinics for their medical and dental care.

+ BT tidbits
Are joint fund-raisers becoming a trend? Perhaps, or maybe it’s just that G.WIZ Executive Director Molly Demeulenaere is thinking twosomes, given her pending marriage to Marc Morgan Dec. 27. For whatever reason, last week saw the G.WIZ Science Museum’s first joint fundraiser with the Banyan Theatre and the announcement of its second: a family day with the Sarasota Orchestra from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13. Program includes performances by orchestra musicians, a hands-on musical instrument “petting zoo” and a discussion of how the instruments work by G.WIZ representatives. Tickets are $11 for kids, $14 for adults and $5 for G.WIZ members. For tickets, call 309-4949 … A new Planet … Owner Joan McKeon is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Dream Weaver on St. Armand’s by opening a Planet boutique — the brand’s first ever — in the space adjacent to the present store. Planet is a fashion-forward line of casual-to-evening wear at a good price point, ranging from $95 to $425. Designer Lauren Grossman will be there from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10.