Stephanie Creech Hackett
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Gods and Goddesses: AVOC

Oh my gods and goddesses! The Cincinnati Club was full of them: gods from Greek and Roman mythology, Hindu gods, Native American gods, Buddhist gods.

At AVOC's black-tie evening, "Idyllic Adventures - An Evening with Gods and Goddesses," event chair Janet Ach and husband, Roger, greeted the more than 400 guests.

Forty-plus sponsors and designers teamed to create some truly divine tables. The "Best in Show" award went to Jerry Ewers, Toni LaBoiteaux and Leslie Shiels for their "Zeus" table set among the clouds.

"Dinner in the Clouds," which had Greek gods elevated on Mount Olympus, received the "People's Choice" award.

Table judges: Dixie Barker of Federated Foundation, Regina Carswell of WXIX-TV and Barbara Miller of the Miller Gallery. Robin Wood was emcee.

During a live auction, one guest had the opportunity to make over the man in her life. Mary Ellen Cody couldn't help but bid on the "Queen City Eye for the Straight Guy" package. Tom Cody will have virtually every aspect of his life redesigned by experts.

With sponsors and designers paying $1,000-$2,200 for the rights to design a table and guests paying $150 per person, the event is expected to result in significant profit. Revenues from the party exceeded $786,000.

Legends and Legacies: Senior Services of Northern Kentucky

At the Legends & Legacies gala, Senior Services of Northern Kentucky paid tribute to actress Betty White and former Reds player and longtime radio broadcaster Joe Nuxhall.

More than 300 attended the event, paying at least $125 each. Some 200 benefactors paid $200 each, which entitled them to attend a private cocktail reception with the honorees.

The rapport among the honorees and emcee Nick Clooney made for a lively program. A well-known animal rights advocate, White seemed overwhelmed as the Cincinnati Zoo's Cathryn Hilker walked into the ballroom with a cheetah. Nuxhall's sons, Kim and Phil, were on hand to fete their dad. Net profits from the event are expected to near $40,000. Event co-chairs: Shelby Wood and Mary Middleton.

Fund-raisers

Friday

"Whisper of Jazz," for the Cincinnati division of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC), 7-11 p.m., Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, West End. $125 per couple and $75 single. For tickets send checks to NOCC Cincinnati Division, P.O. Box 101, Lovleand, OH 45140. Reservation required. www.whisperofjazz.org. 221-3949

Saturday

"All That Jazz," charity ball benefiting Children's Home of Northern Kentucky. 5:45 p.m., . Airport Marriott, 2395 Progress Drive, Hebron. $100. Reservations required. (859) 261-8768 ext 3070.

Brotherhood Night 2003, for Sickle Cell Anemia, Jewish Hunger, Adopt America Network and 32nd degree Children's Learning Center. 6:30-9 p.m., Cincinnati Masonic Center, 317 E. Fifth St., downtown. 260-9234

"An Evening of Jazz and Joy," for Alliance for Catholic Urban Education. 6 p.m., Radisson Hotel, Bluegrass Ballroom, 668 W. Fifth St., Covington. $75 per person. (859) 283-6246.

Masked Opera Ball 2003- Seduction in Sincinnati, for The Cincinnati Opera, 6:30 p.m.-midnight, Music Hall Ballroom, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. $200 individual, $250 patron, $3,500 table of 10 and $5,000 corporate sponsor. 744-3267.

Nov. 28

Tinsel and Shine for Over-the-Rhine, Art Design Consultants Inc. Final Friday Holiday Party/Sale for IMPACT Over-the-Rhine. 6-10 p.m., 1310 Pendleton St., Over-the-Rhine. 723-1222.

Dec. 3

SAKS Shop 'Til You Drop, for Every Child Succeeds, 5-8 p.m., SAKS Fifth Avenue, Fifth and Race streets, downtown. 636-2830.

Dec. 5

The Crystal Ball, benefiting the Cincinnati Ballet. 6:30 p.m., the Hilton Netherland Plaza, downtown. $150 per person; $2,500 for corporate table of 10. Reservations recommended. 621-5219 Ext. 113.

Dec. 6

From Israel with Love, Dinner parties, dessert reception, art show and preview sale for Adoption Connection and Alan R. Mack Parents Center of Jewish Family Service. 6:15 p.m. Yavneh Day School , 8401 Montgomery Road, Kenwood. $60 with dinner $35 dessert and show only. Reception and show begin 8 p.m. Reservations required.766-3327.

Mozart Angel Tea, for the Hamilton Fairfield Symphony Orchestra Mozart Festival. 4-6 p.m. , Christian Benninghofen home, 807 Dayton St., Hamilton. Reservation deadline Nov. 26. (513) 895-5151.

Hula for Our Kids Health, for Cystic Fibrosis research. 6 p.m.. Springdale Community Center, 11999 Lawnview Ave., Springdale. Reservations recommended. $20 in advance $30 at the door. (513) 648-3193 or www.cureourkids.com.