Taste of Summer June 1, 2011

Press contacts: Roger Webster, Jason Grant or Alexis Fedor, Webster Light Grant Communications,
212-280-3380 or info@websterlightgrant.com
What
Central Park Conservancy’s Taste of Summer will kick off the season with over 1,000 guests, under the stars in Central Park, enjoying the ultimate tasting event of culinary delights prepared by over 40 renowned New York chefs, a VIP Café hosted by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group, a luxury-filled silent auction, and dancing to Tom Finn, one of the City’s hottest DJs.

When
Wednesday, June 1, 2011, 7:00 – 11:00 pm

Where
This al fresco event is held in a tent in front of Naumburg Bandshell (mid-Park at 72nd Street)

Who
Trustee Chairmen:
Jay Mandelbaum and Norman Selby

Host and Benefit Committees
Gillian Miniter, James Andrew, Muffie Potter Aston, Ashley Baker, Edward Barsamian, Mario Buatta, Ashley Bush, Lauren Bush, Sharon Bush, David Patrick Columbia, Dave Davis, Peter Davis, Andrea Greeven Douzet, Somers Farkas, Suzanne and Woody Johnson, Kristy and Jonathan Korngold, Jill Lafer, James LaForce, Alexandra Lebenthal, Peter Max, Patrick McMullan, Vanessa Noel, Yesim Philip, William Rondina, Hunt Slonem, Felicia Taylor, John Truex . . .

VIP Café
The VIP Café is a reserved section with tastings provided by exclusive restaurants and is available only to table buyers. This year’s VIP Café will be hosted by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group –restaurants and chefs: Blue Smoke, Jason Krantz and Jennifer Giblin, Gramercy Tavern, Mike Anthony and Nancy Olson; Tabla, Floyd Cardoz; The Modern, Gabriel Kreuther and Marc Aumont; Union Square Café, Carmen Quagliata; Union Square Events, Robb Garceau and Dan Keehner. Tables in the Café are $8,000 and $12,000 each.

Participating Restaurants and Chefs Include
Asia de Cuba – John DiLeo; Bice Ristorante – Silverio Chavez; BLT Market – Laurent Tourondel; Brasserie Cognac – Florian Hugo; Brasserie Les Halles – Carlos Llaguno; Bridgewater Chocolate; The Carlyle Restaurant – Jacques Sorci; The Central Park Boathouse – Fred Mero; China Grill, Inc. – Bradley Day; Ciao Bella Gelato – Danilo Zecchin; Columbus Tavern – Phil Conlon; Ed's Chowder House – Ed Brown and John Miele; Geisha – Richard Lee; GILT – Justin Bogle; Ivy Bakery – Daniellan Louie; Junoon – Vikas Khanna; Le Cirque – Craig Hopson; Maya Restaurant – Richard Sandoval; New Leaf Restaurant & Bar – Scott Q. Campbell; Orsay – Antoine Camin; The Palm Court at The Plaza – Willis Loughhead; Park Avenue Summer – Kevin Lasko; The Plaza Food Hall by Todd English – Mike Suppa; Quality Meats – Stratos Georgedakis and Scott Tacinelu; Serafina – Freddy Duarte; Serendipity 3 – Stephen Bruce; South Gate at Jumeirah Essex House – Kerry Heffernan; STK Meatpacking & STK Midtown – Adriano Ricco and Humberto Leon; SUSHISAMBA – Fernando Navas; Swifty’s Restaurant – Stephen Attoe; Thalassa Restaurant – Raphael Abrahante; Trattoria Dell 'Arte - Brando De Oliveira . . .

Silent Auction Includes
A Tiffany & Co. Bridget satchel; A Private tour of Isaac Mizrahi’s Studio and private lunch for you and a guest with Isaac; private cocktail party at Luca Luca after store hours and winner gets a cocktail dress; a New York City marathon package which includes finish-line tickets and the pre-marathon cocktail party; a weekend at the Plaza Athenee plus a private tour of Central Park; a haircut at the John Barrett Salon; two tickets to the Lela Rose Spring 2012 fashion show; Vanessa Noel private party and shopping experience for 30 guests; a one week stay at Villas by Linda Smith in Jamaica; Jewelry by CIRCA . . .

Decor by Ed Libby & Company • Wines generously provided by Georges Duboeuf and Hob Nob
Media Partner: Gotham Magazine

Tickets
Individual tickets to Taste of Summer are $350 each. Tables in the VIP Café are $8,000 and $12,000 each.
Contact 212-310-6619 or rsvpevent@centralparknyc.org

Why
The Central Park Conservancy is a private, not-for-profit organization founded in 1980 as a public-private partnership with the City of New York to restore Central Park to its former splendor, after decades of neglect, and to manage and preserve it for present and future generations. Thanks to the generosity of many individuals, corporations, foundations, and the City, the Conservancy has invested over $530 million to date into the Park, transforming it into a model for urban parks worldwide. Through events like this, the Conservancy is able to provide 85 percent of Central Park’s $37.4 million annual budget. For more information on the Conservancy, please visit our website at centralparknyc.org.

Central Park Conservancy's Taste of Summer Web Site

WEBSTER LIGHT GRANT COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA ALERT

Press Contact: Roger Webster or Jason Grant, 212.280.3380 or info@websterlightgrant.com

Come on, let’s help say good-bye to cancer
American Cancer Society
New York City

CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Spring Benefit

Honoring
Perri Peltz and David Patrick Columbia



WHO

Benefit Co-Chairs
Gigi and Harry Benson CBE, Diana and Richard Feldman, Charlotte Ford, Brenda and Howard Johnson, Margo Langenberg, Jean and Martin Shafiroff, Barbara and Donald Tober

Vice Chairs
Joseph M. Cohen, Evelyn and Leonard Lauder, Linda and Stephen Levy, Suzanne Mados, Hilary and Wilbur Ross, Eric Ruttenberg, Lauren and John Veronis

Benefit Committee
Cetie Nippert Ames, Lynn and Art Barbasch, George Baker, Cornelia and Martin Bregman, Mario Buatta, Cricket and Richard Burns, Hilary and Joseph Califano, Ralph Destino, Alexandra Lebenthal and Jay Diamond, Jackie Weld and Rodman Drake, Francine LeFrak and Rick Friedberg, Barbara and Peter Georgescu, Marjorie and Ellery Gordon, Anne Grauso, Fernanda Kellogg and Kirk Henckels, Michele and Larry Herbert, Jeffrey Hirsch, Rochelle and David Hirsch, Joy and Jonathan Ingham, Lynn Y. and Steven Jacobson, Ann and Arnold Jurdem, Elizabeth Kabler, Mariana and George Kaufman, Stephanie Krieger, Karen and Richard LeFrak, Cynthia and Dan Lufkin, Tina Sloan and Stephen McPherson, Carol and Philip Mehler, Clara and Ernest Menaldino, Gillian and Sylvester Miniter, Nelson Peltz, Judith Price, Katharine J. Rayner, Elizabeth F. Stribling and Guy Robinson, Leba and Neil Sedaka, Jeanne and Herb Siegel, Liz Smith, Allison and Leonard Stern, Topsy Taylor . . . list in formation

Honorees
Perri Peltz will receive The Humanitarian Award

David Patrick Columbia will receive The Man of Achievement Award

WHERE and WHEN
St. Regis Roof, East 55th Street at Fifth Avenue

Tuesday, May 24, 2011
7pm Cocktails 8pm Dinner
Black Tie

TICKETS
$750.00-$2,500.00 Contact: Luis Valero, luis.valero@cancer.org or 212-237-3888

WHY
Proceeds from the dinner and silent auction will help support American Cancer Society initiatives and services for cancer patients and their families, including Hope Lodge New York City, which provides free temporary lodging for cancer patients and their caregivers while undergoing treatments.

Founded in 1913, the American Cancer Society has community-based offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. “We SAVE LIVES and create more birthdays by helping you stay well, helping you get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back.”

Visit CANCER.ORG or call 1.800.227.2345

For immediate release
Contact: Roger Webster, 212.280.3380 or roger@websterlightgrant.com

Available images from Mary Hilliard, Patrick McMullan and Sara Cedar Miller

The Central Park Conservancy
29th Annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon
Raises a Record Breaking $3.2 Million

(May 4, 2011, New York, NY) The 29th Annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon, hosted by the Women’s Committee of The Central Park Conservancy, was held in the six-acre Conservatory Garden, the Park’s only formal garden. It was a smashing success, raising 3.2 million dollars to support the Conservancy’s work in maintaining and preserving Central Park. Guests filled 123 tables, including the corporate tables sponsored by Barclays PLC, Thomson Reuters, Bloomberg, Dior, Durst, Chanel, Saks Fifth Avenue, Con Edison, Douglas Elliman, Stribling, Corcoran, and Warburg Realty Partnership.

Women’s Committee President Gillian Miniter and Co-Chairs Virginia Apple, Anne Harrison, Julia Koch and Lizzie Tisch greeted over 1,200 supporters. Most of the guests wore glamorous or amusing hats, which is why the event has been nicknamed the “Hat Luncheon.” The benefit committee has completely underwritten the event so that a100 percent of the ticket purchases went toward the operation of the Park.

Mrs. Miniter opened the Awards program, welcoming guests and acknowledging Norma Dana, one of the Founders of the Women’s Committee; Adrian Benepe, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation; Bill Beinecke, Founding Conservancy Chairman; Tom Kempner, Chairman of the Conservancy’s Board of Trustees; Betsy Barlow Rogers, founder of the Central Park Conservancy and Doug Blonsky, President of the Central Park Conservancy and Central Park Administrator.

Honorees of this year’s event included Corporate Chairman Robert E. “Bob” Diamond, Jr., Chief Executive, Barclays PLC, who raised over $150,000. In his acceptance remarks, Diamond made everyone smile at the rainy day, when he said, "Invite a British Bank and you get British Weather."

The Frederick Law Olmsted Award, given to an individual whose remarkable leadership and extraordinary generosity contribute to the Park’s lasting health, was presented to Judith-Ann Corrente, a member of the Board of Trustees and a generous supporter of the programs of the Women’s Committee as well as the Conservancy. She recently funded the upcoming renovation of the East 110th Street playground and has also endowed a zone gardener position in the North End of the Park.

Gillian acknowledged Evelyn Lauder and her team for the beautiful redesign of the luncheon materials featuring the classic Vanderbilt Gate and for donating the wonderful party favors.

The Women’s Committee thanked Thorunn Wathne for the lavender umbrellas, a longtime Luncheon tradition --particularly handy this year, Abigail Kirsch Catering and Andrew Pascoe Flowers.

Leading the applause were: Martha Stewart, Jennifer Diamond, Deborah Norville, Blaine Trump, Muffie Potter Aston, Michelle Paige Paterson, Noreen Buckfire, Wendy Carduner, Karen LeFrak, Cynthia Lufkin, Sue Newhouse, Mary McFadden, Liz and Jeff Peek. Allison Rockefeller, Hilary Ross, Eleanora Kennedy, Nell Diamond, Susan Rudin, Tara Rockefeller, Dayle Haddon, Sheila Labrecque, Elyse Newhouse, Alexandra Lebenthal, Lorry Newhouse, Ranjana Khan, Lois Chiles, Suzanne Cochran, Grace Hightower De Niro, Amy Fine Collins, Fe Fendi, Jamee Gregory, Rachel Hovnanian, Prudence Solomon Inzerillo, Suzanne Johnson, Karen Klopp, Kamie Lightburn, Betsy Messerschmitt, Muffy Miller, Marcia Mishaan, Nancy Missett, Nancy Paduano, Jenny Paulson, Betsy Pitts, Janet Ross, Donna Day Schwartz, Daisy Soros, Elizabeth Stribling, Rene Syler, Patsy Tarr, Dori Cooperman, Sharon Bush, Somers Farkas, Mai Hallingby Harrison, Peter Lyden, Toni Peebler, Anna Safir and Mary Wallach.

About the Central Park Conservancy:

The Women's Committee is a group of dynamic women who are dedicated to fundraising for Central Park and enhancing the Conservancy's programs in education, conservation and horticulture.

The Central Park Conservancy is a private, not-for-profit organization founded in 1980 as a public-private partnership with the City of New York. Thanks to the generosity of many individuals, corporations, foundations, and the City, the Conservancy has invested more for than $550 million to date into the Park, transforming it into a model for urban parks worldwide. The Conservancy provides 85% of Central Park’s annual $37 million operating budget and is responsible for the maintenance and management of the Park.

North Shore - LIJ Lenox Hill Hospital AUTUMN BALL - IT’S A NEW DAY

Press Contact: Roger Webster, Linda Maniscalco, or Jason Grant 212.280.3380
Jason@WebsterLightGrant.Com

On Monday, November 1, 2010, Lenox Hill Hospital (LHH) will hold their annual Autumn Ball, this year dubbed "It's A New Day" in the Waldorf=Astoria Grand Ballroom. For over a century, the Autumn Ball has been one of the most glamorous evenings of New York City’s fall season as well as the largest fundraising event for the hospital.

This year, the Black Tie Gala celebrates the newly formed partnership with the North Shore - LIJ Health System. Independent hospitals throughout the country are realizing that in order to provide high quality care, be best positioned for future healthcare reform and be cost effective in a challenging healthcare environment, they must become part of a larger entity.

LHH is a highly regarded destination for clinical services, attracting patients from the New York metropolitan area. With its hospital staff, clinical services and rich legacy of exceptional care, the 153-year old LHH becomes the Manhattan flagship presence for the North Shore - LIJ.

North Shore - LIJ is the largest integrated healthcare provider in New York State. It was recently recognized with the National Quality Forum's prestigious 2010 Quality Healthcare Award.

Both organizations have similar cultures with core missions to provide high quality clinical care supported by medical education and research.

WHO
Co Chairs: Ellen & Daniel M. Crown, Candice & Richard Goldstein, Judith & William O. Hiltz, Phyllis & William Mack and Roy J. Zuckerberg

Benefit Committee: Erika & Peter A. Aron, Cissy & George Asch, Jean & Ralph M. Baruch, Clo & Charles Cohen, Nancy & Robert N. Downey, Diane & Marshall Felenstein, Victoria & Lloyd M. Goldman, Deborah & Allen Grubman, Louise & Lee Gunderson, Patricia & Edward Gutman, Iris & Saul B. Katz, Nancy & Jeffrey B. Lane, Ellen & James S. Marcus, Muriel & Howard Weingrow, Barbara & Donald Zucker

Executive Committee: Ralph M. Baruch, Jonathan S. Canno, Daniel M. Crown, Philippe P. Dauman, Caroline A. Davis*, Jean T. Delafield*, Thomas E. Dewey, Jr., Michael J. Dowling+, Robert N. Downey, Catherine C. Foster, Lloyd M. Goldman, Michael Gould, Paul B. Guenther, Marlene Hess, William O. Hiltz, Michael B. Hoffman, Steve L. Kantor, Saul B. Katz, Eugene H. Kummel*, Jeffrey B. Lane, William L. Mack, James S. Marcus, Katherine T. McEnroe, James McMullen, Aimee Merszei, Charles Merinoff, Ralph A. Nappi, Richard B. Nye, Robert F. Shapiro, C.A. Wimpfheimer*, Jon A. Wurtzburger and Roy J. Zuckerberg
*Honorary Member
+Ex-officio

WHEN & WHERE
The Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf=Astoria
Monday, November 1, 2010
Cocktail Reception: 6:30pm
Dinner and Dancing: 8pm

DRESS: Black Tie
MUSIC: The Stringers

TICKETS
Tables of 10: $100,000, $50,000, $30,000 and $15,000 / Individual: $5,000 $3,000 and $1,500
For purchasing information please contact (212) 434-3573 or www.autumnball.com

WHY
Lenox Hill Hospital, now in partnership with the North Shore - LIJ, will be able to better serve the community with the excellent service it has provided for over 150 years. The 652-bed fully accredited, acute care facility is internationally recognized for excellence in cardiovascular care, orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, maternal and child health, bariatric surgery as well as ophthalmology and otolaryngology, the Hospital continues to build upon its rich history of medical innovation and superior healthcare. Lenox Hill Hospital, located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, is committed to the highest standards of care. A leader in medical education, cutting edge clinical research, and innovative community outreach, the Hospital treats more than 325,000 patients each year.

www.AutumnBall.com

Russian Arts Foundation’s “Take Five” Gala Takes over Richards of Greenwich to Honor Dave Brubeck

Dan Brubeck, Scott Mitchell, Maxim Rubtsov, Trish Brubeck, Chuck Lamb, Catherine Brubeck Yaghsizian, Chris Brubeck, Marianne Wyman, Vladislav Lavrik (Photo Credit: Charles Manley)

(September 28, 2010 Greenwich, CT) Under the auspices of the Russian Arts Foundation, the Russian National Orchestra (RNO), celebrating its 20th Anniversary with events around the world, went to Greenwich, CT, to honor jazz icon and Goodwill Musical Ambassador Dave Brubeck.The over-sold Gala concert and gourmet buffet called “Take Five” was at Richards of Greenwich, the exclusive men’s and women’s store. Marianne Wyman, a Co-chair of the evening and RNO Board Member, presented the Russian Arts Foundation’s prestigious Silver Baton Award to Chris Brubeck, who accepted on behalf of his 90-year old father.

Scott Mitchell, representing the Mitchell Family who own Richards, hosted the evening. The Honorary Chairmen were Bim and Donald Kendall. The Gala Chairman was Thomas Hampson of the Metropolitan Opera. The evening’s true maestro was Marianne Wyman, assisted by her Co-chairs Irene Ioffe, Anne Perlin and Tatiana Panchenkova.

Prior to the concert, there was a reception courtesy of Peter Paul Wines and Champagnes. After the concert, the delicious buffet served offerings from Jean Louis, La Panetiere, La Cremaillere, l’escale and Bakovina.

The jazz concert was outstanding. The maestro’s sons Chris Brubeck, alternating between guitar and trombone, and Dan Brubeck, on the drums, joined pianist and composer Chuck Lamb, the third member of the Brubeck Brothers Quartet. There were two principal artists from the RNO: Vladislav Lavrik, Russia’s number one trumpet player and flautist Maxim Rubtsov.

Among the musical highlights were: Claude Bolling’s Suite for Flute and Piano, Chuck Lamb’s Cool on the Coast and two of Dave Brubeck’s most famous compositions: Blue Rondo à la Turk and Take Five.

Scott Mitchell, who plays classical cello, said at the end of the concert, “We’ve had lots of evenings at the store, but the was the best.” No hyperbole on his part. He stood to the side during the concert, his fingers moving in time with the rhythm, drumming on a display shelf.

The audience was an amalgam of old line Greenwich and young hip Greenwich with some Manhattanites thrown in for spice. Classical music lovers were there because of the RNO; jazz aficionados because of the Brubecks. But absolutely everyone was there to honor Dave Brubeck who has been a musical ambassador since the 1970s, bringing the people of the US and Russia together.

Guests included: Prince Vladimir and Princess Tatiana Galitzine, Catherine Brubeck and Arne Yaghsizian, Trish Brubeck, Rita Mehos, Hermitage Museum Foundation’s Chauncie Rodzianko, Stamford Center for Performing Arts Director Elissa Getto, John Wyman, Ruth and Bob Newman, Cristina Wyman, Thomas Ferguson, Jill and Richard Granoff, Bob Pape, Elena and Jonathan Moffly, Elizabeth Stribling and Guy Robinson, Anita and Ernie Torizzo, Myrna Haft, Michael Ioffe, Barbara Land, Michael Polenske, Bunny and Dennis Lukas, Lucy and Nat Day, Tatiana and Gerret Copeland, Marei von Saher, Mikhail Prokhorov, Megan and Charles Wyman, Unni Cooper, Alex Mantel, Bette Pietsch, Michael Weintrob, Laurel Desmarais, Larry Spera, Mieko Willoughby, Julie and Gil Alexandre, Linda and Michael Rait, Arlyne Goldberg, Anthony Rinaldo, Laurice Helmer, Adam Schwartz, Barbara and James Reibel, Arne Kalman, Anne and Fred Elser, Sophia James, Michael Baksh, Lata Chawla, Harold Holmyard, Nancy and Robert Cancro, Ruth Aewme, Maria Bubave, Marina Peredo, Gil and Seth Turtletaub, Anastasia and Gene Shapiro, Irene Iannucci, Robert Whitby, Carol Burns, Paul Rodzianko, Jane Repp, James Colias, Linda and Michael Rait, Molly and Jack Flynn, Judy and Necdet Ergul, Joyce and Ted Fowler, Barbara Manley, Evelyn Bausman and Jennifer Brown. Major RNO supporters Barbara Roach and Peter T. Paul flew in from California to be at the concert.

Beneficiaries of the evening were the Russian National Orchestra’s Instrument Acquisition Program and Jazz’d 4 Life, a charity dedicated to helping children throughout the world.

See it on Hamptons.com
and
New York Social Diary