Black Tie & Tales

+ What happens at Saks …
Stays at Saks — sometimes. General Manager Sally Schule proudly informed every guest and canine present at ARC’s Dog’s Night Out event Friday that Saks had just gotten a new installation.

“This is brand new carpet,” said Sally, surrounded by pair after pair of Jimmy Choos and Valentinos. “And we’re letting your dogs run all over it.”

Not even one hour later, there was a little “oops” incident that left one dog owner clutching his pup to his chest. A cocktail napkin was quickly spread out on the floor. At least, for the pup’s sake, it happened on the tile.

+ Fitness queen stops in Sarasota
Hannah Curlee remembers being on TV in front of 93 million people in the most unsupportive sports bra she could ever have imagined. She hadn't been on a date in 15 years, and the last time she remembered wearing a dress was 12 years prior. While in town last week, Hannah, one of the top two finishers on season 11 of “The Biggest Loser” TV series — runner-up to “the Biggest Loser,” her sister, Olivia Ward — gave the women attending the Go Red for Women Luncheon an inspiring talk about her life. “The best day (of my life) was not when my sister came to me and said ,‘I think we should go on ‘The Biggest Loser ... I wanted to punch her.’” If not for competing on the show, Hannah probably wouldn't have learned that at 32 years old, she was at a 70% risk of suffering from a heart attack by age 40. During the final taping, Olivia beat Hannah by 1.9 pounds for $250,000.

+ War stories from Lido Shores
The very day that Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards announced plans for the 2012-2013 season, about 150 Asolo supporters gathered at the home of Rita and Ron Greenbaum to hear the news first-hand at the traditional co-producers party, which has been hosted by the Greenbaums for a remarkable 13 consecutive years. The new season launches a five-year project exploring “The American Character” and will kick off with the musical, “1776.” It seemed uniquely appropriate that Marty Samowitz was among the guests, with his wife Paulette, after his having recently been honored by the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key as the oldest living Marine survivor of Iwo Jima. There was also a non-combat injury: actor David Breitbarth is on a cane nursing a torn calf muscle incurred while performing in “God of Carnage.” The understudy who went on for him was third-year conservatory student Jake Staley, whose regular gig this season is the ensemble in “Yentl.” According to Bill Sandy, “Staley did such a good job that somebody in the audience asked, ‘Which one was the understudy?’” The party was scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., but, according to Greenbaum, the last guests didn’t leave until 10:30 p.m. … yet another aspect of “The American Character?”

+ A few extra pounds
Kyla Weiner and her mother, Judith Yaeger, dressed their furry friends, Jacob and Ezra, in matching razzle-dazzle collars for ARC’s “Dog’s Night Out.” When Judith first adopted Ezra, he was all fur and bones. Thankfully, Judith has managed to fatten him up, but that meant 10 costume changes for Dog’s Night Out because nothing seemed to fit! The collars were a last resort, but the pups looked gorgeous.

+ Tidbits
Rumor has it … Bruce and India Lesser hosted a fabulous bash last week and Bruce, as always, was decked out in one of his bling-bling tuxedo jackets … Doggone it ... BT spotted Peter and Debbie Maltese at Dog’s Night Out, but never actually saw them holding a leashed companion. Of course, given their last name, we let it slide. Plus, Debbie informed ARC Executive Director Brenda Terris that she had a friend who was bringing his entourage of Maltese, all wearing the same polka-dot dress ... Sharing with man’s best friend … John Hunter’s standard poodle, Behta, must have a sweet tooth, and her owner must really love her, because not only did he share his dessert with her Friday — he even let her lick the spoon!

+ BLACK TIE AFFAIR
Hadasssah’s Centennial Celebration
4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 18, at Polo Grill and Fête Ballroom. A special gifts reception will take place at 3 p.m.
Tickets: $54 plus donation Call: Nancy Mazrahi, 359-0968

Come celebrate 100 years of healing, education and youth rescue with Sabra Hadassah. The gala dinner honors Gloria Moss and Adeline Silverman and will feature Klezmer music.