I joined Suzette at Saks for benefit of Girls Inc.

STAFF PHOTOS / MARJORIE NORTH Sally Schule, Suzette Jones and Shauna Grier of Evolution at Saks' party.

Author Lynn McDonald traded her usual costume of flannel PJs and shaggy slippers that she wears when giving motivational speeches for a carrot-red wig and apron the other day. Lynn as Lucy Ricardo and culinary wizard Judi Gallagher as Ethel Mertz did a funny routine at the most recent Recipe for Happiness at USF.

A couple of hundred women showed up for 23 seminars, boutiques, a fashion show by Sally Schule of Saks and box lunches by Cosimo's. Proceeds of $30,000 went to Girls Inc. Nice.
By the way, during that Sally Schule -- one of the busiest, most energetic people in town -- also gave a Recipe for Happiness speakers and sponsors cocktail party at Saks, attended the Boys and Girls Club Women's Leadership Council luncheon, gave the huge Key to the Cure kick-off, put together the fashion show for Girls Inc., welcomed visiting brass from NY, and had a sweetheart date with hubby Bradd at the UnGala Gala. This is as much as I know without asking.
An amazing woman, who does better than well by this town.
Big shot in the Big Apple
Steve Smith has returned from New York, where he opened this year's edition of the Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center, "Play On!" They received rave reviews from The New York Times and a spread in last week's Weekend Arts section, and a terrific review in the New York Daily News. The Washington Post called the show, "Big Apple Circus's Clowning Achievement." (Too cute.)
This was Steve's third stint as co-creator and director for the BAC, and, yes, he's signed on to do next season as well.
Now he's off to Miami to begin production meetings for the cruise ship The Oasis of the Seas for Royal Caribbean … Steve's eighth year as a director/creative consultant for RCCL.
Honoring his bets
Enthusiasm over the Tampa Bay Rays World Series championship effort produced an unexpected but timely gift for the All Faiths Food Bank from Intercoastal Medical Group -- and all in only three days' time.
A check for $12,000 was handed to All Faiths Food Bank exec director Daniel Dunn by IMG head honcho Geoff Simon, who had challenged 420 employees and 61 physicians to raise at least $5,000 for AFFB, matched by the IMG Board … if the Rays made it into the World Series. Geoff would also undergo a Rayhawk haircut in return.
The medical group adopted the food bank as a partner last spring, with employees donating food, supplies, volunteer services and money.
On tap
Planned Parenthood and committee chairs Kim Bass, Jason Champion, Suzette Jones, and Gary Pike are planning a Red Eye to Vegas' Nov. 15 at Dolphin Aviation. Gaming tables, showgirls, cash bar, dancing and music, light bites and a fashion show will be available for the price of a $50 ticket.