Black Tie & Tales

+ A turn out fit for a queen
Debra Jacobs, CEO of the Patterson Foundation, is lovingly regarded by many as the queen of Sarasota philanthropy based on her long association with the Marie G. Selby Foundation. And the town turned out 400-strong to hear her speak at the Giving Matters 2009 “Gems of Philanthropy” luncheon Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Michael’s On East. Giving Matters is an initiative of the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, whose mission is to empower women through philanthropy. The ballroom-bursting crowd included donors Victoria Leopold, Graci McGillicuddy, Betty Schoenbaum, Tana Sandefur and Lois Stulberg, development professionals Scott Anderson, Rich Bergman, Barbara Simon and Dennis Stover and many more of both ilk. Centerpieces were created by 32 area non-profits — from the All Faiths Food Bank to the Women’s Resource Center.

+ The week that was …
… It was a week of outstanding attendance at benefits. There were 400 at the AFP luncheon Tuesday, more than 220 at Temple Beth Sholom’s Le Petit Marché Wednesday, an amazing 600 at the Key to the Cure kick-off at Saks Thursday and more than 240 at Recipe 4 Happiness Saturday. The tariffs were $50, $35, $45 and $40, respectively. And the Dow visited 10,000. A good time for a good cause at an accessible cost remains a compelling appeal, and the outlook for the season may well be brighter than anticipated.

+ The youngest bold-face names make their debut
Co-Chairwomen Emily Tack and Shana Zamikoff hit one out of the park with their debut event benefiting Temple Beth Sholom schools. Le Petit Marché Boutique and Bistro was a big, joyful success, drawing more than 220 avid shoppers to the atrium Oct. 14, at Michael’s On East. There were moms and grandmoms (including Carol Angelotti and Sandra Hanan) in abundance, and vendors, including Addison Craig, Sarasota Brides and The Met, reported brisk sales. But the stars of the show were unquestionably les enfants, including Brooks Becker (2 months), Liza Collier (10 months) and Alex Kaplon (6 months). Fittingly, Tack is expecting — a son, in February.

+ Long journey in the name of charity
Sheila Thornton went by car from New Cumberland, Pa., to Harrisburg, Pa., where she caught a train to Philadelphia. Then, it was another train to Tampa and a bus to Sarasota in a journey that took about 27 hours. She came for the fourth annual Recipe 4 Happiness event Saturday, Oct. 17, at USF and for a reunion with her kidney donor, iCompassion founder Sandy Loevner. Thornton received one of Loevner’s kidneys in 2006 in the world’s first quintuple transplant operation.

The event was the first benefit for iCompassion, founded by Loevner in honor of her late husband, Jerry. The organization’s mission is to share compassion with individuals who are diagnosed with kidney disorders by supporting efforts for early screening, detection and awareness of treatment options that include paired donation.

Author Lynn McDonald headlined the Recipe 4 Happiness program, supported by a host of be-winged volunteers. Billed as “a day for women,” the event was standing-room-only with 240 attendees and a waiting list.

+ Don’t miss this anniversary
West Coast Black Theatre Troupe is throwing a 10th anniversary party Oct. 29, at Michael’s. Co-Chairwomen are Carol Buchanan, Christine Jennings, Carolyn Michel, Gail Fulton Ross and Daisy Saunders. There will be cocktails and a variety of food stations, then a musical review of the company’s history featuring Teresa Stanley, who started her career with WCBTT and now performs on Broadway. Tickets are $100. For reservations, call 366-1505.

+ BT tidbits
The fourth time is a charm … Roland Smiley is getting married for the fourth time, but it’s the first time that his mother, Jane Smiley, will attend the wedding. The bride is Karen Weeden; the couple lives in Albany, N.Y., where Smiley is head of special education for the state of New York … It’s shoulder season … Phil Mancini was working at the Key to the Cure kick-off with one arm in a sling, after having a rotator cuff and bone spurs repaired two weeks ago. And Doris Kaplan got a new shoulder Tuesday. Dr. Brian Schofield did both surgeries … On the mend … Dottie Garner and Nikki Nilon, recovering from surgeries which they will undoubtedly do as brilliantly as they do everything else! … Talk about a busman’s holiday … Jaymie and Tommy Klauber and friends Iris Starr and Andrea Silvergleit were checking out the new Pei Wei Asian Diner. The recently opened outpost of P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Inc. was bustling, with lines out the door on a Sunday evening … Birthday girls … Oct. 13 was a big day for birthday parties. Roddy Samuels celebrated 88 at Michael’s with Bea Friedman, Kaplan, Lillian Richman, Bev Saxonberg, Renee Sheade and Helen Sherman. Alisa Pettingell celebrated 38, starting at Saks then moving on to Fleming’s. Her gang included Monica Barth, Jamie Becker, Alicia Chalmers, Lydia Chapdelain, Stephanie Hannum, Isa Lambert and Emily Walsh…