Black Tie & Tales

+ Mirror, mirror on the wall …
Betty Schoenbaum and gala Chairwoman Mary Ann Robinson got dolled up in their finest Orientalia for the Circus Sarasota Gala Jan. 27. Schoenbaum was pretty in pink with flowers pinned above each ear, while Robinson went with a more modern gold costume that looked as though it could have been made by Ray Peper, who was fully decked out in a ferocious dragon ensemble. When asked to pose for photographs during the evening, Schoenbaum and Robinson unknowingly both smiled and made identical hand gestures.

+ The parties’ parties
On Jan. 24, local Republicans welcomed Newt Gingrich to a luncheon chaired by Kim Githler and Margaret Wise. A crowd of about 200 turned out, with 35 making the larger contribution required for the “Round Table.” Thursday, it was the Democrats’ turn to host a dignitary; the guest was first lady Michelle Obama and the hosts were Dick and Caren Lobo. This crowd, too, numbered 200, with 20 in the “green group” who ate inside and enjoyed a photo op with the first lady. Bob and Lee Peterson were there with all three of their children: Janice Peterson Radder and twins Jeff and David Peterson.

Tête-à-tête … the Republicans ate cobb salad and chocolate mousse at Michael Klauber’s Michael’s On East, while the Democrats enjoyed a buffet lunch by Fête Catering, owned by Tommy Klauber. And the winner is …

+ ‘Sexy Back’ to ‘Sexy Face’
Official Hot Mess band members and daughters of actress Judy Landers-Niedenfuer, Kristy and Lindsey Niedenfuer Landers, are about to launch their third music video on MTV. It’s called “Sexy Face.” What exactly is a sexy face, you ask? Kristy says you’ll have to watch the video and find out. The sisters, who are having fun touring the world, say the video features Julia Roberts’ brother, Eric Roberts, Vienna Girardi, of ABC’s “The Bachelor,” and Eden Wood, of TLC’s “Toddlers and Tiaras.” The 6-year-old makes what the sisters refer to as “her cute face.”

+ Tidbits
Love is in the air … at Write on Sarasota in the Whole Foods Center this Valentine’s season. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 10, calligrapher Dotty McMillan will be on site to pen your loving message on a handsome vellum card while you enjoy red wine and chocolate truffles. This is proprietor Eileen Hays Wallace’s gift to her clients … Tempus fugit … it doesn’t seem possible, but Designing Women Boutique has its 10th anniversary in 2012. The year-long celebration will culminate in a spectacular gala, “Designed to Give — 10 years of Fashion with Compassion,” set for Dec. 2 in the Circus Sarasota tent, which is being set-up especially for the boutique. The first details to leak suggest that Bill and Christine Fenner will be working with Designing Women Boutique “founding mothers” Diane Roskamp, Jean Weidner and Margaret Wise, who had their heads together in a planning meeting Jan. 25. Stay tuned for more details or call Executive Director Pam Day at 366-5293 … Speaking of the Circus Sarasota tent … this Michael David Petite Petit wine bottle’s fun circus graphic, spotted at the Forks and Corks Grand Tasting Sunday, would have been the perfect house wine to serve at the Circus Sarasota Gala the previous night … Ducking out … Molly Klauber, who was supposed to be stationed at the Michael’s On East tent at Forks and Corks, was spotted hiding behind her friends when her father, Michael Klauber, walked past. It seems Michael Klauber is also sporting a new beard ... Correction ... Feedback from the Women and Medicine luncheon may be made to Kaye Chase at [email protected] or at 917-1286.

+ BLACK TIE AFFAIR
Palm Ball ‘An Evening in the Garden of Good and Evil’
6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at Bay Preserve at Osprey
Tickets $350; Call 918-2100

The fifth annual Palm Ball, set on the great lawn at Bay Preserve, is the signature event of the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. Keeping with the theme, “An Evening in the Garden of Good and Evil,” Chairwomen Ariane Dart, Pauline Joerger, Amie Swan, Margaret Wise and honorary Chairwoman Cornelia Matson have several surprises in store for guests.