Whom You Know: NIGHTLIGHT: LIGHTYEARS Lighthouse International Salutes the Arts at The Plaza Hotel. Honorees Mica Ertegun, Marvin Hamlisch, Arlene Dahl and Marc Rosen Artistically and Personally Shine while Joan Rivers was the Beacon of Humor and Light that Shined Every Last Laugh out of Guests

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

NIGHTLIGHT: LIGHTYEARS Lighthouse International Salutes the Arts at The Plaza Hotel. Honorees Mica Ertegun, Marvin Hamlisch, Arlene Dahl and Marc Rosen Artistically and Personally Shine while Joan Rivers was the Beacon of Humor and Light that Shined Every Last Laugh out of Guests

We are having trouble writing this today, because our eyes are still teared up from laughing SO HARD at Joan Rivers last night. Peachy Deegan is squinting at the screen, and to explain would be useless: you had to be there. On Tuesday, November 10, 2009, at The Plaza Hotel Lighthouse International, the 104 year-old leading non-profit organization dedicated to fighting vision loss, presented its annual LightYears Gala: The Lighthouse Salutes the Arts. The honorees for this year’s star studded evening attracted an estimated 500 people, and the honorees included Interior Designer Mica Ertegun, American Composer Marvin Hamlisch, film star Arlene Dahl and Marc Rosen, fragrance package designer. The videographer that assembled the piece to celebrate the honorees is truly gifted and their legacy both in their profession and in who they are as people came across clearly to those in the audience who hadn't met them previously. Founded in 1905, Lighthouse International is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting vision loss through prevention, treatment and empowerment.

Lesley Gore performed "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows" and we think she is just fabulous. We met her previously at a luncheon for women http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/09/daylight-center-for-advancement-of.html We hope to feature Lesley as a Mover and Shaker! She performed with Marvin Hamlisch, who not only is musically amazing, but an excellent storyteller as well! Peachy Deegan and everyone else that was a guest learned the importance of having a good relationship with your Eyes, Ears and Throat Doctor from Marvin, as he told us that same Doctor of his listened to his music and passed it along to another patient, who happened to be the daughter of Quincy Jones. (Remember it's not who you know, it's Whom You Know! We love our doctors too: see Top Teeth http://www.whomyouknow.com/search/label/TOP%20TEETH) Also, Marvin Hamlisch's work on The Sting reminded us of seeing Paul Newman race at Limerock Park. (See Cruising Peachy, our car column.)

WNYW/Fox 5’s News Anchor, Ernie Anastos, emceed the event, while comedian/actress Joan Rivers was the star auctioneer. Joan is the best auctioneer we have ever heard, the most entertaining, and definitely the most convincing! Items in the auction included "Dancing with the Stars"-a program to help children with vision loss discover movement. It was just last week that we were doing something similar for Chacha Peachy http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/11/chacha-peachy-whom-you-know-reviews-our.html Some of Joan's word choices are not appropriate for Whom You Know but we wish they were...We loved her on the Celebrity Apprentice!

When Peachy Deegan was in the first grade, her math teacher was concerned because Peachy was not performing her arithmetic correctly, only to find out it was because Peachy could not see the board! So, ever since, Peachy has worn glasses and truly can empathize with those with Lighthouse International to some degree. We are honored that we were included in this lovely Gala for such a worthy cause.

Making Red Carpet Appearances:
Marvin Hamlisch, Joan Rivers, Arlene Dahl and Marc Rosen, Mica Ertegun, Amy Fine Collins, Mario Buatta, Charles and Clo Cohen, Linda Wachner, Ben Gazzara, Lesley Gore, Ernie Anastos Muffie Potter Aston, Somers Farkas, Marty Richards, Fran and Barry Weissler, Robert Osborne, John Catsimatidis, Douglas Hannant, Joanna Mastroianni

The event’s Chairpersons include Commissioner of New York City Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting Katherine Oliver, Interior Designer Mario Buatta, Lighthouse International Board Member Stephanie Goldman-Pittel, President of Cohen Brothers Realty Corporation Charles Cohen and his wife Clo Cohen.

Other guests included: Hope Gimbel Solinger; Red Apple Group and Gristedes CEO, John Catsimatidis; Actor Ben Gazzara; Warnaco CEO Linda Wachner; TCM’s Robert Osborne; singer Lesley Gore; Tony Award winning costume designer William Ivy Long; Broadway producers Marty Richards, Fran and Barry Weissler; CNN’s Robert Zimmerman; interior designer Geoffrey Bradfield; fashion designers Douglas Hannant and Joanna Mastroianni; playwright Charlotte St. Martin; fashionable socialites Muffie Potter Aston, Somers Farkas, Stephanie Krieger, Aileen Mehle, Debbie Bancroft, Amy Fine Collins, Wendy Vanderbilt Lehman, Barbara Tober, and many more.

About Lighthouse International Founded in 1905, Lighthouse International is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting vision loss through prevention, treatment and empowerment. It achieves this through clinical and rehabilitation services, education, research and advocacy. For more information about vision loss and its causes, contact Lighthouse International at 1-800-829-0500 or visit http://www.lighthouse.org/

We looked high and low for Eloise, but she was nowhere to be found! Luckily, we met some fabulous guests, including:

Natasha Nicholson (Great necklace!)

Tom Garver

Joanna Daidone

Isaura Nunez

Stephanie Krieger (Looked fabulous in the one-shouldered dress!)

Ryan Stewart

Susie Pang

Christine LaDuca

Muffie Potter Aston (Thank you for liking our glasses!)

Kevin Marshall

Luis Villabon

Ann Watt

Peter Micara

Jeff Pfeffer

Kimberly Rossi

Joseph Roberto

Iain Worsley

Tricia Dilley

Crystal Savage

Michael Barbera

In the Gala program, congratulatory letters were included from Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Governor David Paterson, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Another fabulous event by WEBSTER LIGHT GRANT COMMUNICATIONS!

On Peachy Deegan:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/04/dress-of-week-donna-ricco-silk-taffeta.html

Recent Testimonials by Brand Ambassadors on their Experience with Whom You Know

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Peachy has such a strong relationship with her readers. She provides honest and real comments; she is truly a trusted source in a very large circle
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Peachy Deegan is a gem. She is wonderful to feature our Irish brands in 'Whom You Know'! The articles are beautifully and passionately presented, bringing products and brands to life, making both relevant and fun for her many faithful followers to read. I am immensely proud for our hand-crafted products to be included in this venue!"

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"As you know from my past features, Peachy Deegan and I were in the same class at Boston College prior to either of us becoming entrepreneurs. When we played together on the BC Alumni softball team in Central Park years ago, she mentioned she could not find a great dentist in Manhattan and could often be found networking on her phone in the outfield hiding from the ball. She was my second patient ever in 2006 when I opened my dental practice; I was one of the first sponsors on Whom You Know and the first Mover and Shaker featured in 2009 and have worked with her continuously since. She's even talked her friends that are doctors into being my patients, and they subsequently send their hospital colleagues. I don't know anyone that is as great of a networker and writer as Peachy, nevermind that she is upstanding and always good for her word. Cosmopolitan Dental is so happy to be in the company of the caliber of major brands she works with today, and although she will tell you a million ways to get your teeth dirty between Peachy's Picks, Terrific Takeout and Peachy's Pantry, Peachy Deegan will tell you there is only one way to get your teeth clean!"
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