Black Tie & Tales

+ The red shirts …
Made it easy to find the helpful committee members at Temple Beth Sholom’s third annual “Le Petit Marché” Oct. 12, at Michael’s On East. The event drew 200 enthusiastic shoppers representing three generations. Among the 30 vendors were Denise Hoff of Joombali.com who was selling her hand-made purses; Meredith Collins, who described her Muse Galleria as “a shop for Etsy lovers”; Rhonda Gallehue looking fit in gear from her Gymmey’s Fitness Wear on Main Street; Liz Murray, owner of Influence; and Mary Swartz and Karen Sluman of Addison Craig, the latter two of St. Armands Circle. More photos on page 13 and online at www.YourObserver.com.

+ More than a luncheon
Shoe-lovers and supporters of Forty Carrots Family Center … despair not. The Nov. 4 Wine, Women & Shoes luncheon at the Ritz-Carlton is indeed sold out, but there are other ways you can participate, beginning with a champagne reception that afternoon from 3 to 4:30; tariff is $50. From 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 5 there’s a wine tasting at Michael’s Wine Cellar, free to Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club Members and anyone making a $10 donation to Forty Carrots. And there are still some tickets available for winemaker dinners at various homes and locations that evening, from $150 to $275 per person. For reservations and information, call 365-7716.

+ Black Tie Affair
The Payton Wright Foundation
The Courage of a Child. The Passion of a Performer. • 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 • Hyatt Regency Sarasota • $150 individual, $250 patron • Reservations 893-7007 or www.paytonwright.org

What an evening is planned for the debut of this event fighting pediatric brain cancer. World-renowned performance painter Michael Israel will work his magic and create five paintings from bare canvas. (The patron ticket includes a private meet-the-artist cocktail hour.) And Savanna Wright, Payton’s 14-year-old sister, will sing, accompanied by Scott Curts. One number will be a song she wrote for Payton, titled “It’s Gonna be a Good Day.” It’s certainly going be a good — and emotional — evening.

+ Honors month in Sarasota
On Nov. 6, Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center will celebrate its benefactor, Betty Schoenbaum. Reservations $150; 371-6798. On Nov. 10, the Argus Foundation will present its Lifetime Achievement award to Hollis Tuckerand a posthumous award honoring Gene Whipp. Reservations $125, 365-4886. On Nov. 16, the YMCA Foundation of Sarasota annual Donor Appreciation Luncheon will pay tribute to Sen. Bob Johnson. Complimentary for donors or $35 donation. Reservations 951-1336. On Nov. 17, the Goodwill Foundation will recognize 15 individuals and organizations for exceptional leadership and dedication to the community at its first annual Ambassador of the Year awards dinner. Reservations $100; 355-2721. Also Nov. 17, the American Jewish Committee will present its 2011 Civic Achievement Award to Gwen MacKenzie. Reservations $175, 365-4955. And Nov. 19, Cat Depot will salute 15 honored veterinarians for 2012 at its annual Pawpurr’s Ball. Reservations $67.50; 366-2404. That’s 34 in 30 days ... congratulations to one and all.

+ Tidbits
… JetBlue jet set … Jennifer Kouvant and Hans Li were married Oct. 15 at the groom’s Six Duchess Farm in Duchess County, N.Y. Ms. Kouvant is the daughter of Vivian Kouvant of Bird Key. She was escorted down the aisle by George Allison and Alan Watkins (Designers Source of Sarasota). They traveled to New York Oct. 13 with Nina Hughes, who said she was wearing a red gown and purple shoes for her role as “elderflower girl.” Or did she say “elder flower girl?” All were looking forward to quite the weekend, including a rehearsal dinner at Tarrytown’s renowned Stone Barn … Nonagenarian news … Happy birthday to Roddy Samuels, newly anointed Oct. 13 and Claire Love, who celebrated 91 Oct. 3 ... The peacock principle … made an appearance at UCP’s Goddess Luncheon fashion show with the men as flashy, if not flashier than, the women — a rara avis in our town.