Three weeks later some 150 mostly 20something Bottomless Toy Chest supporters also flocked to Fresard Buick GMC Showroom in Ferndale for the Summer Lovin Date Auction. There were two dozen guys and gals available for a date in the auction conducted by 96.3 WDVD’s Blaine Fowler and Alison Martinek. WSU special ed major Emily Bregier brought the highest bid ($215), but Kimmy Fallows brought the most unusual from a mom in the audience. She “bought” Fallows for a Skype date with her son who is serving in Afghanistan. The fun fling raised more than $8,000 to help hospitalized kids going through cancer treatments forget their pain. BEF Spring White Party at Toast More than 120 supporters of the Birmingham Edcuartion Foundation trekked to Toast Birmingham for the Spring White Party generously hosted by owners Regan and Thom Bloom. It featured yummy food prepared by Chef Jeff Rose paired with 12 white wines, served up by guest bartenders, silent auction action, a raffle, dancing to the music of DJ Powdr Blu and lots of socializing. In the mini silent auction, BEF Trustee Stuart Jeffares and his wife Dr. Kim Coleman were the top bidders for a dinner party for six at their home prepared by Chef Rose with wine pairings by Advance Sommelier Michelle DeHayes. Teacher Candi Wanicke, who happened to be celebrating her birthday, won the raffle of red wines. The friendly event raised more than $9,000 for the enrichment programs of the Birmingham Educational Foundation. Robot Garage Grand Opening On Friday, May 20, Sarah and Jonathan Jacobs, with help from their children Jane, Kate and Thea, welcomed more than 300 friends, well wishers and Lego buffs to their new venture in Birmingham’s Rail District – The Robot Garage. In addition to inspecting impressive Lego creations on exhibit, they also watched young robotic teammates demonstrate their imaginative skills and learned about the entertaining and educational summer camps, programs, parties and drop-ins available at the garage. Before the weekend concluded, more than 1,000 had checked out the new facility located at 637 South Eton Street. Sales proceeds for the openings were earmarked for the Michigan Engineering Zone, which aims to encourage Detroit youth to pursue engineering and technology careers. The Robot Garage is open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, 48304; email samgerak@aol.com or call 248.646.6390. downtownpublications.com
Bottomless Toy Chest Baby Shower
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1. Foundation founder / event co-chair Mickey Guisewite (left) of Bloomfield with guest speaker Dr. Charles Main & his wife Rhonda of Beverly Hills. 2. Committee member Ann Heath Templeton (left) of Birmingham and event co-chair Terry Hughes of Bloomfield. 3. Committee members Jacqui Andreae (left) and her daughter Patricia Coulson with Lucia Zurkowski of Bloomfield. 4. Volunteers Gracie & Annie Calvaneso of Bloomfield. 5. Reagan Beatty (left), Patty Ghesquiere and her niece Lauren Kupelian of Bloomfield. 6. Elise Spreitzer (left), Hope Still and Lina Berman of Birmingham with Mia DeCerchio of Bloomfield.
BEF Spring White Party at Toast
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1. Rebecca (left) & Alan Ross with Birmingham mayor Gordon & BPS board member Geri Rinschler of Birmingham. 2. Celebrity bartenders Fox-2’s Roop Raj (left) of W. Bloomfield, Lions coaches Todd Downing of Birmingham & Danny Crossman of Bloomfield and Toast owner Thom Bloom of Pleasant Ridge. 3. Katie Conti (left) and Melanie Feles of Birmingham. 4. Foundation executive director Laura Cougar (left), board president Jerry Rito of Beverly Hills and Miriam & Larry Imerman of Bloomfield. 5. Beverly School principal Jennifer Martella (left) of Farmington Hills with Geoff & BPS board member Susan Hill of Birmingham. 6. Ron Rosenberg (left) of Birmingham and Ingrid Mayer of Bloomfield with Gregiry Kelser of Franklin and Marshelia Belyue of Grosse Pointe.
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Robot Garage Grand Opening 2
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1. Rex,IV, Rex.III Janelle & Gabe Boyce of Birmingham (with Lego Leaning Tower of Pisa). 2. Ozzy (left), Missy & Lucas Borman with their cousins Hannah & Hilary Borman of Birmingham. 3. Erik & Andrea Morganroth of Birmingham with their children Max (left) & Emma. 4. Matt & Lori Fricke of Birmingham (with Lego Taj Mahal).
DOWNTOWN
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