Black Tie & Tales

+ They’ve got skills!
The Michael’s On East Ballroom has probably seen just about every type of table decor — feathers, flowers, confetti — you name it. Well, wouldn’t you know, along came 33 people who gave up their time to sit around and decorate lampshades reminiscent of the Roaring Twenties era for the Sarasota Orchestra’s Hot Jazz on a Snazzy Sunday “Roarin’ ’20s” Season Opener Brunch. Co-Chaired by Bunny Skirboll and Marlene Isaacs, the lampshades topped off the sensational centerpieces created by the event’s design chairwoman, Anne Folsom Smith. The volunteers used everything from bows and faux fur to lace and beads to create lampshades ranging from sweet and simple to lampshades gone wild. And these 33 men and women even got their own little bio write-up in the event’s program book.

+ “If you’re worried about children, talk to my wife.”
That’s what Glasser Schoenbaum Human Services Center Board Member Sam Shapiro told Executive Director Phil King when King spoke to him about the future. The happy ending of that conversation will be the Sam and Sally Shapiro Babies’ and Children’s Health Center, a new building for that Sarasota County operation at the 17th Street Campus of Caring. The seed-money donation from the Shapiros has since been amplified by gifts from Betty Schoenbaum and the Selby Foundation. A hundred-plus guests got this news at a “Get Acquainted” dinner at the Longboat Key Club sponsored by the Shapiros, Joan Mendell and Bob Coppenrath and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County Nov. 11. Observed in the crowd: Matt and Margaret Callihan, Roxie Jerde, Jack and Susie Steenbarger, Anne Virag, Lois Stulberg, Sally Yanowitz, Alice Berkowitz, Ronnie Bernard, Phil and Julie Delaney, Harold Ronson, Renee Sheade, Nancy Markle, Jay and Becky Kaiserman and Carole Cohen. GSHSC Board of Directors representatives included President Dr. Lou Bertha McKenzie-Wharton, Treasurer Jay Berman, immediate Past President Dr. Arthur Guilford, lifetime board member Betty Schoenbaum, Bunny Skirboll, Susan Schuchat. Representing Sarasota County, in addition to Commissioner Carolyn Mason, were Administrator Randall Reid and Deputy Administrator Bill Little.

Black Tie Affairs
Wine, Dine & Pine
When: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29
Where: Selby Gardens
Tickets: $50
Contact: 366-5731, Ext. 267
Join Marie Selby Gardens associates for the third annual Wine, Dine & Pine. Sample a delicious assortment of wines, cheeses and appetizers from Fresh Market. The elegant event includes a silent auction featuring pine trees uniquely decorated by local artists and businesses. 

20th Annual Hot Dogs & Cool Cats
When: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1
Where: Sarasota Yacht Club
Tickets: $175
Contact: 955-4131, Ext. 121
Laugh your paws off Saturday at the Humane Society’s annual gala, featuring Elayne Boosler, Les McCurdy and Ken Sons. Expect fabulous wine and cuisine, live entertainment and a live auction.