Socially Speaking
PERSONAL NOTE
Please join the Style family in its sincere condolences to our editor, Brian Lawrence on the recent loss of his mother.
32nd ANNUAL ED BLOCK COURAGE AWARDS
For 32 years the Ed Block Courage Awards Foundation has been raising money for the prevention of child abuse here in Baltimore. Named after former BALTIMORE Colt trainer, Ed Block, this prestigious award honors a player from each of the 32 NFL teams. The players are selected by vote of their teammates. It is an award that is draped in compassion-courage-commitment-character-community as displayed by a player while living with adversity. CEO and Chairman of the Ed Block Board, Sam Lamantia, Jr., welcomed all of the recipients, their families and supporters to Martins West recently for this fabulous event. Spotted in the crowd were former Baltimore Colts Toni Linhart and his wife Renata, Jim Mutscheller and his wife Bert and the always-smiling Tom Matte. Baltimore’s Marching Ravens band President, John Ziemann, could barely sit down due to the countless people thanking him for everything he did to keep the Baltimore Colts Marching Band alive after the team’s departure, as depicted in Barry Levinson’s ESPN documentary “The Band That Wouldn’t Die”.
The Ed Block Courage Foundation had to handle a great deal of heat due to the nomination of Philadelphia Eagle, Michael Vick. Remember, this award is voted on by the players not the foundation. His team felt he was deserving of this award for his actions since paying his debt to society, including his commitment to influencing the community that dog fighting is not acceptable on any level. I did have the pleasure of chatting with Vick’s fiancé, Kijafa Frink who is following her future husband’s charitable journey by helping the youth in the city of Philadelphia. It was so good to see the recognition for our Baltimore Raven recipient, Dawan Landry, who came back from a serious neck injury in 2008 to have a great 2009 season. Congrats to all the volunteers and committee members for a job well done for such a wonderful cause…the children.
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MILAN BALTIMORE
The Milan restaurant opened in January of this year but it was just a few weeks ago that our media group got to try this new Little Italy hot spot. Located at 1000 Eastern Avenue, in the former Luigi Petti locale this 12,000 square foot restaurant hosts 3 dining levels, an outdoor dining patio, a very cool “U” shaped bar and a décor designed by local talent Meghan Hoffman. Another local angle is the Executive Chef for Milan, Marylander Stephen Carey but that’s where the local buck stops. This place has a very contemporary European vibe unlike the traditional Little Italy atmosphere. Our fabulous waiter, Stephen gave his cocktail and menu suggestions which was very helpful because if your over forty you will need a small flashlight and cheater glasses due to a very dim lighting and small menu font. I would give the appetizers and salads high marks but still think there are some kinks to work out with the Lobster Mac n’Cheese. Style Editor, Brian Lawrence thought quite highly of his Pollo-Della Domenica, which was a roasted chicken with Yukon, mashed potatoes. All in all, I would say Milan does live up to its mantra of “Where Food Meets Fashion.” Milan also offers daily happy hour special from 5p.m. to 7p.m.
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FRESH THOUGHTS
A Sustainable Seafood Dining Series
This spring, area top chefs Jesse Sandlin, Bryan Voltaggio, and Jill Snyder are headlining at the National Aquarium’s for their third installment of Fresh Thoughts. All the chefs involved had competed on the Bravo TV show “Top Chef”. We had the pleasure of going to the first one featuring Chef Jesse Sandlin and to say we it was off the hook is a true understatement. As soon as we got to the dining area we were taken a back by the punch in the eye views from the Aquarium’s windows and then being greeted by the celeb chef herself. Sandlin formerly of Abercrombie who now is working at Cinghiale Restaurant put on quite the cooking demo and took questions from attendees about being on the hit Bravo show “Top Chef” season six. The Classic Catering People served the wonderful three courses Marvesta Shrimp menu, which is a sustainable seafood choice that is available in our region along with perfect wine pairings. It was a great group including National Aquarium’s big fish, David Pittance, Dr. Erik Rifkin, Laura Bankey, Jamie Kofsky , Diane Macklin and “Top Chef” devotee Catherine Simanski to name a very few. No better way to end the evening than a stroll through the gorgeous aquarium. There are still 2 remaining dining events but the next one featuring Chef Bryan Voltaggio of VOLT is sold out but there are some slots available for June 22nd featuring Woodberry Kitchen’s Chef Jill Snyder. Go to the National Aquarium in Baltimore’s website http://www.aqua.org for tickets to this wonderful dining experience.
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SQUEAL APPEAL FUNDRAISER
Even though it’s the Ravens off-season our players are not the only ones in the organization keeping their fit on. Ravens.com journalist extraordinaire, Mike Duffy recently participated in the Paul’s Place “Squeal Appeal” 5K run fundraiser, which started at M&T Bank Stadium and proceeded through the Washington Village/ Pigtown community that Paul’s Place serves. This wonderful organization helps its community members survive and serves as a place for them to gather for a hot meal, guidance and support programs. I hear that Mike Duffy nailed the race with a 23:15 time and loved all the cheering from the Pigtown residents, according to his twitter entry. For more information on this organization go to http://www.paulsplaceoutreach.org
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ANNE’S FABULOUS FIND
Haute Cocoa was founded here in Charm City and is led by the mother-daughter team of Nancy Vennare and Staci Summers. Believe me when I say the chocolate lacrosse sticks are a sure hit or should I say goal !! Check this out !!!
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ANNE’S NOT TO MISS PICK
~What: “Meet Us On The Runway”: To raise funds Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
~When: Wednesday, April 21st, 6-9p.m.
~Where: Inn at the Colonnade, 4 West University Parkway, in Baltimore.
(Valet parking available)
~Tickets: Go to Noladobratz.com
~Info: A fashion forward fundraising event as NOLA DOBRATZ will kick off her stilettos and campaign for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society “Woman of the Year”
CONTACT INFORMATION
Listen to my every FRIDAY on AM-1370- Fox Sports “The Rob Long Show” from 8am- Noon or listen live on http://www.roblongshow.com.
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Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 04/07/10 at 10:28 AM
