Fall is Gala Season. I'm excited about this. Maybe this year I'll actually get invited to one. Gala, meaning charity ball; meaning fundraiser; meaning red-carpet event; meaning awards ceremony; meaning VIP soireé; meaning...well you get the point. August through December, though I don't know what it is about these particular months, becomes a time for all kinds of grand events. I guess it's probably the fact that the fall has great weather, and after the summer, people are back in the swing of things etc. and then, the holidays, of course, lends to all kinds of holiday parties.
Typically, the people who get the pleasure of being invited to and attending such event are "important people." Higher-ups, big whigs, heirs and heiresses, socialites, presidents, chairmen, CEOs...so on and so forth..are the privileged few who grace galas. Every once in awhile, a layperson like myself, gets to go an event. But even so, I think it's fun to peruse the "party pics" that magazines like C Magazine, Columbus Monthly and Alive! put up from the events to see if there's any possible chance I might recognize someone. Yes, it does make me feel a little special. And I am sure those people whose pictures are featured feel extra special. My goal, within the next year, is to get invited to at least one gala. So far, I have met my quota for 2008.
Last night was Life Care Alliance/Columbus Cancer Clinic's annual Spirit Celebration with Heather Pick. Heather is an anchor at 10 TV. Sadly, she has aggressive stage-4 cancer. Last year at the event, she was as lively as always, but this year's been tough on her as she's been to the hospital a number of times. Though, you'd never know from the life and the spirit (hence "spirit celebration") of this young wife and mother of two. She has so much energy, cheerfulness and positive attitude. She's a role model to me! Because I volunteer for Life Care Alliance at this event, I was able to attend (this year and last). It was a lot of fun last night; they had great auction items and did a live auction that made a ton of money! For more info on what the organization does and if you want to learn more about Heather Pick and the Heather Pick Spirit Fund,
click the link.
(Heather Pick)
But the purpose of this whole post was actually keep a little calendar of the galas and balls and events that are taking place this season. A lot of these can be found in the Columbus
Business First newspaper or
Alive! magazine. I'll try to find pictures of the events, too.
Wine, Cheese & Transit@ Home of Bill and Alison Hartman
Hosted by All Aboard Ohio
August 26, 2008
Benefited Ohio transportation
allaboardohio.org
Columbus Food and Wine Affair@ Franklin Park Conservatory
Hosted by Central Ohio Restaurant Association
September 5, 2008
Benefited WBNS-10 TV, United Way, I Know I Can, Ian Adams Van Heyde Memorial Scholarship Fund, Wish Kids and CORA's Education Fund
foodandwineaffair.com
Pictures from the event below (courtesy of Alive! magazine):
(L to R) Byron and Francine Williams, Candice Dunn and Tammy Geiger, Nate Barker, Eric and Jamie Timm, Nancy and Joe Cardenas, Angela Pace and Peter Davis.
Golf Outing
@ Ballantrae Golf Course in Dublin
Hosted by Downtown Sertoma Club
September 8, 2008
Benefited the speech and hearing departments at Nationwide Children's Hospital
Bikers for Babies
started @ A.D. Farrows Co. Harley Davidson in Sunbury
September 13, 2008
Benefited the March of Dimes
marchofdimes.com
Reception Honoring Steven and Patricia Gabbe
@ University Residence OSU Pizzuti House
Hosted by University President E. Gordon Gee
September 15, 2008 (invite only)
5:30 to 7 p.m.
Business Attire
Taste the Future@ Columbus State Community College
September 16, 2008
Benefited CCSC's scholarships and special projects funds
tastethefuture.com
(Megan Brown, Tara Aufderheide, Brent Smith, Jodi Cupples)
(Photos courtesy of Alive! magazine. Last two photos above: L to R, Michelle Rundo and Trish Lackey; Dawon Hawkins and Ana Pinquinelt)
Red Chair Art Affair
@ Columbus Museum of Art
Hosted by MAP Furniture Bank
September 18, 2008
Benefited the MAP Furniture Bank
mapfurniturebank.org
Spirit Celebration with Heather Pick
@ Hilton, Easton
Hosted by Life Care Alliance
September 18, 2008
Benefited the Columbus Cancer Clinic and the Heather Pick Spirit Fund
Night Moves 2008 (5k walk/run)
starting in Brewery District
September 19, 2008
Benefiting March of Dimes
marchofdimesnightmoves.com
Antiques & Gardens Fair@ Franklin Park Conservatory
September 19-21st, 2008
Benefiting the Franklin Park Conservatory and hosted by the conservatory's Women's Board
Co-chairs: Meredith Tapp and Kathy Rosati
614-645-6402 for more info
7th Annual Leather and Leaves Poker Runstarting @ Quaker Steak & Lube in Polaris
September 21, 2008
Benefiting the Arthritis Foundation
arthritismcride.kintera.org
150th Anniversary Celebration & Fundraiser@ Bridgewater Banquet and Conference Center
Hosted by Starr Commonwealth's Hannah Neil Center for Children
September 25, 2008
regonline.com/hannahneilcenter to Register
The Columbus Chamber 85th Annual Clambake
@ the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
September 25, 2008
5 to 7 p.m. is networking
7 to 9 p.m. is Seafood Extravaganza!
$85 for members, $95 for non-members
(check out the Chamber's website "Experience Columbus" to register)
Automaton08 fundraiser
@ Bar of Modern Art (BoMA)
Hosted by Fuse Factory Electronic and Digital Arts Lab
September 26, 2008
7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Cost: $10-20
www.thefusefactory.org/Automaton6th Annual LEON Community Awards Gala
@ Confluence Park Restaurant
September 26, 2008
5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Benefitting the Latino Empowerment Outreach Network
leongroup.org for details and tickets
Herbert and Maxine Block Memorial Lectureship Award 2008
@ Longaberger Alumni House at OSU
Hosted by The James Cancer Hospital
September 28, 2008 (invite only)
Awards Reception at 6:30 p.m., Dinner at 7:30 p.m.
New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix and Family Day
@ Home of Abigail and Les Wexner (1 Classic Drive, New Albany)
September 28, 2008
Benefiting the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence
thenewalbanyclassic.com to get more details
2nd Annual Charity Golf Outing
@ York Golf Club
Hosted by CME Federal Credit Union
September 29, 2008
12:30 p.m. shotgun start
Benefits Get Behind the Badge nonprofit organization
cmefcu.org
Gallery Players 60th Anniversary Celebration@ Columbus Jewish Community Center
October 12, 2008
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: $25
columbusjcc.org for more info
Key to the Cure Fashion Show and Shop-a-thon@ Saks 5th Ave, Polaris Fashion Center
Hosted by Life Care Alliance
October 12th, 2008
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
A national cancer-awareness event localized to benefit a city's choice cancer foundation. Columbus' event will benefit Life Care Alliance/Columbus Cancer Clinic
Co-chairs: Lynnda Davis, Robin Rose and Reneé Shumate
www.saks.com for more info
Shadowbox's Black Tie or Blue Jeans
@ Shadowbox Cabaret 164 Easton Town Center
Hosted by Shadowbox
October 15, 2008
Benefiting Shadowbox Cabaret comedy sketch-club and theater
www.shadowboxcabaret.com for tickets, times and more info
Business First's Fast 50 Awards luncheon
@ Hyatt Regency
October 16th, 2008
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Keynote speaker is Blane Walter, CEO of inVentiv Health, Inc.
Individual tickets are $55
Books and All That Jazz anniversary gala@ Riffe Center
Hosted by Ohioana Library Association
October 17, 2008
Benefiting the Ohioana organization and libraries
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: $75
ohioana.org for more info and to buy tickets
6th Annual Autumn Wine Celebration 2008
@ Smith Brother's Hardware Building (580 N. 4th St.)
Hosted by National Center for Adoption Law and Policy
October 17, 2008
Benefiting the NCALP organization
Must be 21 to attend
ncalp.org
Ohioana Day Awards Ceremony luncheon
@ Statehouse
Hosted by Ohioana
October 18, 2008
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Benefiting the organization and libraries
Cost: $50
ohioana.org
"Glo" Annual Up on the Roof gala
@ OSU French Field House
Hosted by Up on the Roof
October 18, 2008 (invite only)
Black Tie
6:30 p.m.
Benefiting OSU's The James Cancer Hospital, Comprehensive Cancer Center, and The Power to Change Lives
Cost: $100 per person, plus donations
Chairs: Janis and Michael Bloch, Libby and Rick Germain, and Sarah Benson (NetJets is honorary chair)
jamesline.com for more info
2008 Columbus Signature Chef Dinner and Auction
@ Aladdin Shrine Center
Hosted by March of Dimes Ohio Chapter
October 20, 2008
5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Benefiting the March of Dimes
Cost: $100 for individual tickets, $1,500 for a table
2008 Annual Peacemaker Awards luncheon
@ Hyatt Regency Ballroom
Hosted by Choices
October 22, 2008
Noon to 1:15 p.m.
Keynote Speaker to be actor Victor Rivers
call Beth for more info 614-224-7200
Once Upon A Night 2008 gala
@ Hilton, Easton
Hosted by Easton Community Foundation
November 1, 2008 (invite only)
6 p.m.
Black Tie
Benefiting Nationwide Children's Hospital
10th Annual Come Home for the Holidays
@ Brookside Golf and Country Club
Hosted by and benefiting the Homeless Families Foundation
November 7, 2008
6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
homeslessfamiliesfoundation.org to buy tickets, enter silent auction items and more info
Culinary Capers XV
@ Bridgewater Banquet and Conference Center
Hosted by ProMusica Sustaining Board
November 11, 2008
Benefits ProMusica Chamber Orchestra
call 614-457-9597 for more info and to order tickets
2008 Bid & Benefit Kids in Our Community dinner
@ The Swim and Racquet Club
Hosted by TriVillage Mentor League
November 14, 2008
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters and other mentorship programs
visit mentorleague.org for more information
2008 Health Leadership Awards luncheon
@ The Blackwell, Tuttle Park
Hosted by March of Dimes Ohio Chapter
November 19, 2008
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Benefits the MoD.
Cost: $50 for individual ticket, $500 for table
YWCA's Woman to Woman 2008@ Aladdin Shrine Center
November 29, 2008
Benefits the YWCA
call 614-627-1224 or go to ywca.org and click on link for Columbus office to get to their site
