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Celebrities in Toledo support their hometown and some former Toledoans stepped up to the plate too.

P. J. O’Rourke, who grew up in Toledo, came home Thursday night in support of the Toledo Club. The crowd sipped, schmoozed, sated appetites, and listened to words of wit by Mr. O’Rourke. The well-known political satirist and author captivated the audience, joking that while being a hippie is his younger days was fun, it didn’t pay well.

He said that if the economy comes back, President Obama will get credit and be re-elected. If the economy doesn’t come back, the Republicans will be blamed and Mr. Obama will be re-elected. He was quick to defend his hometown and gladly autographed his books including his most recent, Driving Like Crazy.

Also helping his home town that night was Harold Roe, wildlife artist who painted a picture that was given to Mr. O’Rourke, and Mr. Roe gave the club permission to sell copies of the painting.

FORMER Toledoan P.B. Walker of Boynton Beach, Fla., also returned in support of Toledo. Friday night she hosted her first Art Degree, Agents for Artists in the Ottawa Hill of her uncle, James Brooks. Ms. Walker said her organization represents artists whose cutting-edge techniques come from the school of hard knocks. She wanted to hold her first event in Toledo so she could say “It all started here in Toledo.”

Ms. Walker said days at the Toledo Museum of Art inspired her appreciation of art as did her artistic grandparents, Florence and Paul Brooks, founders of Brooks Insurance in Toledo and strong supporters of the arts.

YOUNG professionals in T-town gather on a regular basis to shout that it’s the place to be.

About 450 of the 20 and 30-something crowd, attended the Sushi and Sake Fest Saturday night at Navy Bistro. Derek Feniger, who started the For Young Professionals group, said to contact him at dfen@brainsandbutter.com if you are interested in hosting an FYP event or if you want to attend. Meanwhile, more than 4,000 pieces of sushi were served along with lots of sake and Japanese beer.

CELEBRITIES on the local front also have stepped up to the plate to support the community and many have used celebrity wait nights this year as the vehicle to do so.

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation hosted its celeb wait night “Shake off the Blues” at Fat Fish Blue in Levis Commons. The highest single tip was $1,500 from KeyBank but several $1,000 tips flooded in too. According to Hugh Grefe, the event netted almost $31, 300.

• Masterworks Chorale’s celeb wait night at Mancy’s Steakhouse netted about $3,300, thanks to members who sang for their tips.

• Lial Catholic School’s BIG EVENT: An Affair With International Flair at Brandywine Country Club netted more than $50,000, event chairmen Beth Savage and Gretchen Tocco said.

• Central Catholic High School’s “Central-ebrity” wait night at The Pinnacle reaped more than $22,000 for its scholarship fund. Among the among 20 waiters were football coach Greg Dempsey, basketball coach Jim Welling, BCSN’s Tom Cole, radio personality Bill Clark, and Anita Lopez.

Generous tips to the Knight waiters for super service added up to $20,000 to benefit the Chappuis Society (Mother’s Club) Scholarship Fund.

• Christ Child Society’s Celebrity Wait Night at Real Seafood netted about $24,000, said event chairman Karen Smith who was assisted by a vast committee. Honorary chairmen were Penny and Bob O’Brien. Lucy Abu-Absi is the society’s president. Among the almost 40 volunteer waiters were Bob and Mary Arquette, John Croci, Jan Bollin, Roger Parker, and Steve and Julie Taylor.

• The Northwest Ohio Scholarship Fund/Central City Ministry of Toledo at Real Seafood netted $65,000 in scholarships and tuition assistance for the two organizations. The net includes a match from the national Children’s Scholarship Fund in New York, said Mr. O’Brien, honorary chairman. Among the waiters were Bishop Leonard Blair, Father Michael Billian, Dick LaValley, Jr., Tami and Steve Kwiatowski.

• Stu and Jo-Jo Goldberg’s celebrity wait night for the American Heart Association at the Navy Bistro was in memory of Mr. Goldberg’s college roommate and friend, John Cerutti, and his dad, David Goldberg. Among the volunteer wait staff and sponsors were Tom Amstutz, Mike Bell, John Meier, Diane Friedman, and Stephen Rothschild. The event netted more than $13,000.

• Maumee Valley Country Day School’s “An Evening In Casablanca” wait staff casino night at Parkway Place raised close to $100,000. And most volunteers dressed in period costume, adding to the fun.

• Sunset Retirement’s celeb wait night at Toledo Country Club reaped more than $20,000 for the Life Care Fund. That’s thanks to volunteer waiters and sponsors.

• St. Francis de Sales High School’s celebrity wait Knight was Feb. 8, 2009, at Mancy’s Steakhouse with year with chairmen, Jean Dyer and Cathy Smith.

Waiters included alumni, past dads, current dads, and faculty and staff. Among the volunteers were Jim Bingle, Dan DiSalle, Ed Fitzgerald, Mike Manahan, Vince Marinelli, Bob Navarre, Regan Smith, Paul Spinazze, Mark Trimble, Bob Westphal, and Mike White.

• The Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center Guest Wait night: It’s Concrete: We are breaking ground on the New building” was at Carranor Hunt and Polo Club and netted more than $8,000. Volunteer wait staff included B.J. Snavely, board president, and hubby Dave, Paula Fall, Barb and Dave Mang, and others. Barb Dianda-Martin was event chairman.

• Harmony for Health Celebrity Wait, in memory of Mary Kay Sanford, at Georgio’s Cafe International netted more than $16,500 for the St. Charles Mercy Hospital Cancer Center. Among the volunteer waiters were Oregon Mayor Marge Brown, Rev. Joseph Cardone, Tom Manahan, Bill Sanford, and Carol Whittaker, president and CEO of St. Charles Mercy Hospital.

• It was a roaring good time for folks who went Stepping Out with St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary, at the Toledo Zoo. Just over $9,575 was netted for the hospital’s mammography services. Celebrity waiters included many hospital staffers, board members, and community leaders including Dave Dewey, Jean Emery, Gary Gladieux, Deb Horvath, Richard Paat, and Dianne Cherry.

• Toledo Day Nursery hosted its celeb wait night at Parkway Place and netted about $16,000, thanks to guests and volunteer waiters including Kim and John Sidwell, Louise and Bill Barkan, Rosalie and Chuck Hinde, Julie and Paul Goldner, Anita Lopez, Pat and Pete Scheuer.

ALSO hosting celebrity wait nights were The Catherine Eberly Center for Women at Georgio’s International Cafe, the Toledo Women’s Club at Avenue Bistro, Toledo Hearing and Speech Center at Real Seafood, and the Kidney Foundation at HJ’s Prime Cut.

NOW that summer is finally here, the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic presented by Kroger at Highland Meadows Golf Club, will be here soon and Mr. Farr himself will once again come home to support his hometown.

Barbara Hendel is The Blade’s society editor.
Contact her at: bhendel@theblade.comor 419-724-6124.

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