Week of 7.30.18

JVS Strictly Business More than 600 supporters ($150 & up tickets) of JVS’s employment services gathered at the MGM Grand for the annual fundraising luncheon. It began with cantor Penny Steyer’s Ha-Motzi blessing followed by all singing “God Bless America”. Devin Scillian emceed the program which had many highlights beginning with a moving video featuring the three Employee of the Year awardees – Blanca Fauble, Gabby Gibson and Mark Linear. Both the Business Leadership and the Rising Entrepreneur awardees (Broder & Sachse Real Estate and Fuse 45’s Samantha Friedman) had JVS connections. B&S employs JVS workers and Fuse45 conducts 17 fitness classes for JVS clients with disabilities.

In the keynote speech, Honorary Chair GM’s Mark Reuss called the JVS video “unbelievable,” adding that GM and he shared the JVS education priority. He also discussed autonomous vehicles and vowed that GM would be the first to develop them. Citing GM’s re-entry program for older workers, Reuss concluded, “Like JVS, we are all in this together.” Thanks also to generous sponsors (see photo gallery) the 21st annual event raised $325,000 for programs to help people realize life’s potential. French American Chamber of Commerce Gala When the 170 Francophiles ($170, $200 tickets) arrived at Orchard Lake Country Club, they saw three Cars with Wings displayed near the entrance. It was a salute to the honoree, Air France-KLM USA’s Stéphane Ormand and his company’s role in connecting Detroit to the world. During the dinner program FACC president Cedric Ballerin remarked on France’s importance to Detroit’s future and Ormand noted that Air France has three flights daily from Detroit to Paris. The dinner followed champagne on the terrace and a silent wine and art auction benefiting ($10,000) Doctors Without Borders. The international non-profit was founded in 1971 by French physicians and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999 for its life saving medical care worldwide and the attention it brings to problems in countries where it serves. The organization’s Gilles de Gilles said it depends on individual donors for 90-percent of its funding. Franklin Garden Walk Most of the 798 ticket holders ($12, $15 tickets) toured the five exceptional gardens open for the 33rd annual Garden Walk lovingly presented by the Franklin garden club (officially the Franklin Branch of the Women’s National Farm & Garden Association). The generous, talented gardeners included Jean Hansen, Anne Murray, Nancy Farber, Isabelle Ribando and Frank Venegas. The latter’s spread featured a European, wrought iron conservatory with leaded glass windows that, from a distance, resembles a jewel box. (See photo gallery.) Margaret Bancroft and Cynthia Amann chaired the event which also included a market offering garden-related products like sculptures, birdhouses and baskets. Three days after the walk, Sharon Wolf hosted the wrap-up luncheon for club members at which Jane Davis and Ann Houston passed the co-presidency to Peggy Default and Bancroft. Other luncheon business included news that the walk raised $8,000 for the club’s philanthropies and that Cindy Juliano and Kathy Lorencz are the 2019 Walk chairs. Check in the coming weeks for reports & photos from these events: Shimmer on the River Salute America DSO 2018 Heroes Gala A House Party at Cranbrook St. Hugo of the Hills Altar Guild Garden Party Meadow Brook Theatre Concert & Cuisine Women's Fund of Rochester Summer Soiree

AHEAD FOR SOCIAL LIGHTS

The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit Fifth Annual Interchange Art + Dinner Series fundraiser offers eight dinners in spectacular locations from Detroit to Long Island featuring landmark architecture, lakefront vistas and outstanding art collections. The remaining events are hosted by Roz and Scott Jacobson at 7 pm, Friday, August 24 in their Bloomfield Hills home; Ann Stevenson and Curt Catallo at 7 pm, Saturday Sept. 8 at their lakefront Grosse Pointe home. For tickets call 313.832.6622 or go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mocads-5th-annual-interchange-art-dinner-series-summer-fundraiser-tickets-44485967727.

The Founders Junior Council FASH Bash is Thursday, August 16 at the Detroit Institute of Arts. The co-chairs are David and Christine Colman, Andrea and Chris Provenzano, Farhat and Mohammad Qazi, Nedda Shayota and Nathaniel Wallace. Plans include valet parking, a cocktail reception on the DIA Woodward Plaza at 7 pm, Neiman Marcus fashion show inside at 8:30, the Lincoln Motor Car Company Afterglow on the plaza at 8:30. The $375 and $250 tickets that include seats for the show are sold out. The $1,500 and $750 tickets are still available. So are the $150 tickets to the Afterglow. The latter include 8:30 arrival and the fashion show via live feed streamed outside. To purchase tickets go to www. dia.org/fashbash2018 or call 313.833.5646.

Kevin Kernen and Jonas Rodger are the co-chairs and Mark Anusbigian is the honorary chair of Forgotten Harvest’s 16th annual Cruisin’ to Drive Out Hunger 6 – 10 pm, Friday, Aug. 17 at his Westborn Market in Berkley. Plans include valet parking, food and drink from Metro Detroit’s best purveyors, live music by Larry Lee and the Back in the Day Band, a photo booth, a silent auction and a sneak preview of the Woodward Dream Cruise from a great, curbside vantage. Mercedes-Benz Financial Services is the presenting sponsor. Call Rebecca Gade Sawicki at 248-864-7527 for other sponsorship opportunities. For tickets ($150) go to events at https://forgottenharvest.org/.

Jason Brooks, Kevin Elbinger and Renee Wolgin are chairing Rub-A-Dub 5:30 pm, Tuesday, Aug. 21 at Franklin Hills Country Club. The annual event benefiting ORT’s education programs will honor Randy Wertheimer. Call 248-723-8880 for tickets.

Angels Place Friends and Family Fun Day is Saturday, August 25 on the Marian High School campus.

Frank Torre, Kerrie Binno and Patrice Johnson are chairing the Liberty Mutual Invitational benefiting Boys Hope Girls Hope Monday, Aug. 27 at Franklin Hills Country Club. Plans also include post golf cocktails, dinner, auctions and awards program. For sponsorships, registration and more details call Nancy Stahl or Michael Gallo at the Boys Hope Girls Hope office at (313) 862-0707.

The annual Big Wine Classic that raises college scholarship funds for deserving students and honors the memory of the late Rob Schuele is Monday, Aug. 27 at Birmingham Country Club. For registration, sponsorships and details go to http://www.bigwineclassic.com/.

The 18th Annual Ted Lindsay Foundation Golf Outing Monday, September 10 at The Detroit Golf Club offers golf, dinner and open bar, silent and live auctions and the awards program or the post golf-only activities. A highlight of the dinner program will be the presentation of two Courage Awards which recognize a person and a family who demonstrate great character and perseverance while living with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. For information go to www.tedlindsay.org.

Laurie and Tom Cunnington are chairing Girls On Track 6 – 9 pm, Wednesday, Sept. 12 at the M1 Concourse to benefit the Women of Tomorrow mentoring program for more than 1,200 girls at-risk girls. Plans include valet parking, food, specialty drinks, thrill ride on the track with professional driver, racing simulator, DJ music by iHeart media and exotic cars on display. For sponsorships and tickets ($200-individual; $2,500 & up - tables) contact Jill Harris at j.harris@womenoftomorrow.org or 248- 430-4095 or go to https://womenoftomorrow.org/locations/detroit/events/.

Rose and Brian Bolyard are chairing the 31st annual Birmingham House Tour fundraiser for the Community House 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, Thursday, Sept. 13. Tickets are $40 in advance and can be purchased by phone at 248-644-5832 or online www.communityhouse.com. The event is presented by Hall & Hunter Realtors, with support from : Ethan Allen, Gorman’s Furniture and Boylard Lumber. Plans include self-guided touring of seven unique homes ranging in style from traditional to contemporary. Day of tour tickets will also be available for $45.

Linda Juracek-Lipa and Sue Nine are chairing Hospice of Michigan’s SPEED – A Chandeliers Event 5:30 – 9:00 pm, Thursday, Sept.13 at M1 Concourse in Pontiac. Plans include valet parking, open bar, a strolling dinner, one-of-a-kind thrill rides with professional drivers along the concourse and the program. It will feature the presentation of the 32nd annual Crystal Rose Award to Rabbi E.B. (Bunny) Freedman from the Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network for his passionate commitment to HOM and its mission. For tickets ($120; thrill rides-$100 donation) go to www.hom.org/speed. Proceeds will benefit HOM’s Open Access program that ensures palliative care regardless of age, diagnosis or ability to pay.

The Community House Foundation and the Birmingham Teen Council are presenting the inaugural Movie Marathon Friday, Sept. 14 12:30 pm – to Saturday, Sept. 15, 6:00 am at Emagine Palladium in Birmingham. Plans include 18-hours of movie watching fun, unlimited soda and popcorn, dinner, breakfast, a midnight snack. Proceeds will benefit Community House children’s programs. Registrants will create their own personal fundraising page to raise a minimum of $100 to participate. Contact The Community House for details on how to register at 248-644-5832 or visit www.communityhouse.com

Rochester’s Neighborhood House will celebrate 50 years of helping people in crisis on Sunday, Sept. 16 at Canterbury Village in Lake Orion. Plans include a car show open to the public from 9 am – 2:30 pm and a Birthday Party with dinner, open bar, music and silent auction from 3 – 7 pm. For tickets to the latter ($115) go to www.ranh.org/events or call 248-651-5836, ext. 17. Connie Beckett and Kelly Shuert are chairing the Variety Feeds Kids Luncheon 11:30 am, Thursday, Sept. 27 at Pine Lake Country Club. It will feature inspirational author/speaker Steve Pemberton, Chief Diversity Officer and Divisional Vice President—Walgreens. The Honorary Chairs are Karen and Alan Barry. For sponsorships and tickets ($125, $225-includes feeding one child for a year) call 248-258-5511, email michelle.murphy@variety5detroit.com or go to https://varietyfeedskids.event.

Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, 48304 or email SamGerak@aol.com