Scene & Heard

Obama Dress
Speaking of tasteful attire, Michelle Obama made Vanity Fair magazine’s best-dressed list, with a little help from a local company. A much-talked-about dress she wore when she co-hosted The View in June—a $148 Donna Ricco sundress—was designed and created right here in Southwest Florida by White House/Black Market. Women must like the idea of a potential First Lady buying her garment right off the rack. The dress sold out here right after Mrs. Obama’s turn on TV. Store executives put it right back in production and hope for another bipartisan show of approval.

First Interview
Congratulations to my co-anchor Craig Wolf for scoring the first local television interview with Barack Obama. NBC2’s assignment manager Kelly Monahan had previously sought to land an interview with the candidate’s wife, Michelle, when she came through town—to no avail. But Kelly’s persistence paid off. We got to sit down with the candidate during his Aug. 1 visit to Tampa, a nice journalistic coup. Obama is the only man I’ve met who is almost as tall and thin as Craig. If this long, lean stuff is the new look in public figures, well, yeah, bring it on.

Baby Butler
Three cheers for Fort Myers dad and entrepreneur Jeff Archambault, who turned his ingenuity into an appearance on The Today Show in July. The show was celebrating four non-professionals for their practical inventions. Jeff created The Baby Butler Hands Free Bottle Holder, which goes over a parent’s shoulder and also serves as a burp cloth and changing cloth with pillow. The stay-at-home dad created The Baby Butler when he needed an extra hand in dealing with daughters Ryan and Emma. Are there ever really enough hands for this? But thanks, Jeff, for the help.

Local Stars
That’s not all the national television exposure for our locals in the last few months. Iliza Shlesinger, daughter of Randy and Ronnie Antik of Naples, was the winner of Last Comic Standing on NBC. And Annie Castellano, who went to high school in Collier County, battled her way to the semi-finals of NBC’s American Gladiator. (Her parents own the Capri Fish House in Naples.) Iliza will be performing at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on Saturday, Jan. 3.

Special Weekend
Kudos to my good friend Todd Tooley for planning a special weekend at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa for his wife Wendy’s birthday. But how could he have known that it was the same weekend auditions were being held for America’s Next Top Model? So there were all those 18-year-old girls at the pool in string bikinis, while the slightly older … and the more than slightly older … among us settled for the one-piece look. Happy birthday, Wendy. You looked fabulous, and never mind those young ’uns. Right, Todd?

Politics and Singing
Democrat Dave Aronberg, running for a third term as Florida state senator, turned in a bravura performance at a fundraiser at the riverfront home of Guy and Ilene Whitesman on July 27. Sure, he talked about the issues and his strong consumer advocacy, but he also sang, played the guitar and flashed some sharp humor for the 45 guests. A number of those attending were Republicans—and maybe some who also voted him one of Gulfshore Life’s top bachelors (see p. 58).

Worthy Cause
You’d know that voice anywhere. Randy Thomas of Fort Myers, the announcer for Oscar, Emmy and Tony award shows, will be teaming up with Gulf Coast Town Center’s Borders on Saturday, Oct. 11, for a good cause. Randy will be appearing to help raise funds and awareness for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and she’ll also be talking about the release of her first book. Blu Sushi and Gulfshore Life are also sponsors.
Borders will donate 20 percent of all proceeds from 4 to 11 p.m. that day to the Susan G. Komen group of Southwest Florida. The TJ Kelly Band will be playing in the band shell, followed by DJ Big John at Blu. I will be adding my voice to the cause—as emcee of the event.

Fond Farewell
And, finally, a fond farewell to the publisher of this magazine, Lynne Groth, a true force in the local publishing business. Lynne is not only a great friend but a true mentor as well. And she’s the shining example of how to be a strong career woman, dedicated wife and fabulous mom all at once. No slouch at parties, she set the pace at her memorable going-away affair at Absinthe in Naples. And I look for her to continue as a major influence in our community.