2009 Starkey Gala with Sir Elton John
Bill & Tani Austin always pull out all the stops for this fabulous fundraiser and awards program. The Red Carpet was jam packed with celebrities both local and international, stage & screen, sports legends, politicians and the list goes on. As a member of the Gala’s Photography Team I nearly had an all access pass! I was stationed, this year, in the VIP lounge where everyone, eventually, would gather to sit & relax before the program, slip off the heels, grab complimentary cocktails and snack on the delicious hors d’oeuvres while mingling and catching up with one another! The VIP area was also the gateway room to the “meet & greet” hall where Tony Bennett & Gladys Knight were hanging out. That room was assigned to my new friend, Greg Jansen who also owns Snapz Photo Booth and had a couple of his booths in place at the house parties at Bill & Tani’s home and at 317 for the after party for all the volunteers…I digress.
I have a ton of photos to pour over and when I’m able I’ll let you know via this blog and direct you to my galleries page to see more. In the meantime, here are a few shots I captured of the entertainers that performed at this years Starkey Gala for So The World May Hear.
This is Mr. Ethan Bortnick
Starkey Gala’s headliner for 2009 ~ Sir. Elton John
Starkey Gala 2009
Last night I got together with all of the photographers that are shooting this year’s Starkey Gala for So The World May Hear at the, newly remodeled, Minnetonka Marriott. A fabulous group of professionals has been assembled yet again. I can’t believe it’s been a year since we all worked together for this event. Last year I was fortunate enough to be given the role of Bill & Tani Austin’s photographer on the Red Carpet! I photographed everyone as they arrived and grabbed shots of each of them with Bill & Tani. It was pretty incredible and a HUGE honor! This year I have been assigned something that is mighty exciting as well…the Green Room. This will be where most of the Celebrities will hang out prior to the Ballroom opening. Sir Elton John is the main performer this year along with Gladys Night, Billy Crystal and Tony Bennett! Garth Brooks was the main performer last year as well as Pat Benatar. Here’s some shots from last year.
I’m really excited to shoot this year. I’m going to miss both house parties, the Golf outing, the Bass Tournament and the Missions at the Center for Excellence leading up to the Gala due to 2 weddings but I will be at the Gala on Sunday and the energy there is amazing!
Lunch with John Sather.
Yesterday I had the pleasure of getting together with John Sather of Here’s Life Inner City to discuss all sorts of stuff.
First, we had to catch up! John has had me come along side his foundation and others for the past, oh…I’d say at least 5 years.
Fund raisers, sporting events, Campus Crusade rallies, Food Drives, Lens Crafters event for inner city kids…all awesome events!
I adore John and his drive for community. It’s infectious!
Well, John recommended that we meet at a favorite neighborhood restaurant of his, Cafe Ena, on 46th & Grand in Minneapolis.
Wow! What a great find! Tucked back a few blocks west of 35 W. Menu is simple and delicious. The Ower and Executive Chef is Hector Ruiz
Lunch with John Sather.
Yesterday I had the pleasure of getting together with a dear friend, John Sather, of Here’s Life Inner City to discuss all sorts of stuff. First, we had to catch up! John has had me come along side his foundation and others for the past, oh…I’d say at least 5 years. Fund raisers, MN Twins games, Campus Crusade rallies, Food Drives, Lens Crafters event for inner city kids…all awesome life fulfilling events !
I adore John and his drive for community. It’s infectious! I want to surround myself with more folks like him. It doesn’t get any better than giving! John always says, “Let’s get together and dream.” LOVE that!
That said, John recommended that we meet at a favorite neighborhood restaurant of his, Cafe Ena, on 46th & Grand in Minneapolis.
Wow! What a great find! Tucked back a few blocks west of 35 W. Menu is simple and delicious. The Ower and Executive Chef is Hector Ruiz.
Run, don’t walk (but remember that the 46th exit is temporarily closed at 35W). So exit
on Diamond Lake Rd, take a right on Nicollet, head to 46th, take a left on 46th and go about 4 blocks..it’s up on your LEFT at the corner! FYI, they only serve beer & wine
but have an enormous selection. Buen Provecho!
Happy Thursday!
Good Day to you all!
LOTS going on in the next several days.
And of course I can’t leave out the fact that my brunch at
Interlachen Country Club yesterday for NACE was fabulous,
delicious and a nice break in the middle of the week.
And Kudos to Interlachen, 2009 marks their 100th anniversary!
I set up a table, an easel, set out all sorts of albums, guest
books, proof books, framed images etc…then I ran a 200+ image
slide show of some of my favorite images that I’ve shot for NACE
since I started on that fateful day that the 35W bridge collapsed
into the mighty Mississip nearly 2 years ago.
The slide show was a HUGE hit! Next time I’ll bring my 24″
monitor! 
I just couldn’t swing it yesterday. Everyone
gathered around and reminisced as it looped.
You see, each NACE meeting is really like a mini wedding
reception from decor to floral to signature drinks, not to
mention the venues! Really, a lot of fun.
Tonight I will head up to the Metropolitan to cover a MOFAS event.
Pregnant Pause, being held tonight, is their 4th annual awareness
event for expectant moms.
Tomorrow, I am photographing a fun wedding out at the
Como Park Conservatory.
Yep, another Friday wedding!
Saturday my niece, Amanda, has a dance recital that I wouldn’t
miss for the world!
And Sunday is Mom’s day, of course..ahhhhh.
Personal.
Those of you who know me know that the organization
Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep holds a very special
place in my heart and in my life.
I have been an active affiliate for 2 years and
a have coordinated our services for Minneapolis
Children’s Hospital for the past year.
In doing so I have met some fabulous photographers,
worked with some of the greatest hospital staff,
grieved with many families, some that have experienced
multiple losses. I thank God everyday that he has
given me the talent, the tools and the strength to
approach every session so that I can share with these
photographers, educate hospital staff members and
start the healing process for these broken families.
At this time, I will continue to coordinate for
Minneapolis Children’s and Methodist hospitals but I
will not be photographing anymore sessions.
God Bless.
Rainy Monday.
What better way to spend a rainy Monday than
attending a TCPPA board meeting! YAY!
I just received a request to photograph a Chef!
Pretty excited! I’m thinkin’ maybe….oh, idk,
TRADE FOR FOOD!!! :p~~~~ (that’s me drooling!)
Sandy (Sam) Puc (pronounced ‘Putch’), of NILMDTS fame,
is going to be in town Wednesday holding a seminar at
the Ramada MOA. It’ll be great to see her again.
This year her tour concentrates on “Tots 2 Teens”.
Last year the theme was “Bellies & Babies”.
Busy woman, that Sam!
Gary Comes Home/Jaxon Goes Home.
Gary’s been away since Wednesday.
He and 3 other guys went back out to Oregon
to play golf at Bandon Dunes.
These same 4 ventured out there 3 years ago,
loved it so much they returned this year.
This is about 4 & half hours from Portland.
They’ve made this trip an annual thing and
have selected some mighty swanky spots to
chase the white ball. Bandon was a “must do”
again.
Where there were 3 courses: Bandon Dunes,
Pacific Dunes and Bandon Trails, there are
now nearly 4. Old MacDonald is near completion
and the guys played the 10 hole that were
open on Friday making that a 28 hole day!
As you can tell from the # of recent posts,
I’ve been busy while he’s been away.
No weddings this weekend but I did have the
honor of attending Jaxon’s funeral yesterday.
Another NILMDTS family forever changed and
another friendship forged. God is good.
I am thankful that the rain came today instead
of yesterday. God is good.
Have a peaceful Sunday.
Rainy Thursday.
My sister calls it “Thirsty Thursday”. Amateur.
Anyway….I have two wonderful functions today.
First, I will meet with all of the Metro area
Coordinators for NILMDTS at O’Gara’s in St. Paul.
This organization is growing so much that we
need to keep things in check so that we are all
handling sessions and contact with area hospitals
in the same manner. This will be our first official
meeting of this sort. Haven’t seen some of these
gals in quite some time.
Then, despite the fact that Cheers in Bloomington
is having their annual wine tasting tonight from
6-8 (which I never miss), I have a NACE event at
the Sofitel. Ordinarily we meet on Wednesdays but
this month it’s a Thursday and it’s their big
“Tour of Chefs” annual fund raiser for Open Arms
of Minneapolis and St. Paul. I had a BLAST last year!
Here are some shots from 2007 at the St. Paul Hotel.
FABulous food, drinks, desserts, decor and auction!
Enjoy the rain…could be a big nap day!
Election Day 2008!
Well, this is it folks.
The day we’ve been waiting for.
Perhaps by the end of this day we will,
as a nation, have elected a new president.
I can safely say that pretty much everyone
is sick and tired of all the political banter,
ads, lawn signs, phone calls, unwanted mailers.
We, Gary and I, have become one with TiVo as
we have discovered that we can eliminate all
the tv ads by simply fast forwarding!
Now, as I recall years passed, election day
was an “ad free” day. What the heck happened to
that policy? I mean really, what’s the point
of running those stale ads today of all days?
Just in case someone has been living under a
rock or in a cave the past few months? Nice use
of funds, people!
I, of course, am voting today, I’m just waiting
for all the folks with “real” jobs to cast their
ballots then the line will be shorter ;D
I’m anxious to get my little red “I voted” sticker
so I can go get a free coffee at Starbucks!
Yesterday I got the opportunity to go back to
Abbott Northwestern Hospital and hand deliver
my images to one of the families whose baby
I photographed on Saturday. The mom had had a
C-section and was still there.
I was happy to stop by and say hello and close
that chapter.
From there I attended the MOFAS annual report
release at the Children’s Home Society and
Family services in St. Paul.
I was delighted to see so many of my images blown
up to 40×60 mounted posters! Pretty cool.
Then the organization gifted each of the 5
people(families) with a framed 11 x 14 image
from my collection personalized for them.
That too, was pretty cool!
Here’s J from her birthday party on Sunday night.
Always a great time at Scott & Nicki’s!
Missed you G!!
my gift, as usual, is a hair/photo session!
GET OUT THE VOTE!!!!!
