SOCIAL CIRCUIT

Michael Barkann of Comcast SportsNet was honored at the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the ALS Association's Annual Luncheon held Nov. 19 at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. The luncheon for 475 guests featured a roast by Barkann's friends, including Gov. Rendell, Phillies president David Montgomery, and John DeBella of WMGK-FM. Phillies Charities presented ALS with a gift of $801,615 that was raised by the Phillies at the team's annual autograph party and sports memorabilia auction, Phillies Phestival, in May. The luncheon raised $250,000 for ALS.

The Delaware Valley Stroke Council celebrated its 15th anniversary at a black-tie dinner held Nov. 13 at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. The annual Stars for Stroke Gala honored Delaware Attorney General Joseph R. "Beau" Biden III, Vice President Biden's son, who suffered a stroke in May. Also honored were Dr. Emil Matarese of St. Mary's Medical Center, who received Physician of the Year award; Don Rosenblit, who was Superstar of the Year; and CARF Stroke Certified Rehabilitation Hospitals. The gala's 250 guests raised $150,000 for the Stroke Council.

The Pennsylvania Society held its 112th annual dinner Saturday at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. The Gold Medal for Distinguished Achievement was presented posthumously to former Gov. Robert P. Casey, whose wife, Ellen, and son, Sen. Bob Casey, accepted on his behalf. Among the 1,575 movers and shakers who attended the black-tie evening were Gov. and Midge Rendell; Gov.-elect Tom Corbett and his wife, Susan; Mayor Nutter and his wife, Lisa; former Gov. Tom Ridge; former Gov. Dick Thornburgh; Sen. Arlen Specter; Sen.-elect Pat Toomey; H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest; and Chris Matthews of MSNBC.

Pennsylvania Society president David F. Girard-diCarlo led the program, which included a video tribute to Casey that was introduced by Msgr. Joseph G. Quinn of Fordham University and a performance of three of the Caseys' favorite songs - "How Deep Is the Ocean," "All I Ask of You," and "You Make Me Feel So Young" - by the Hank Lane Trio.

Nearly 700 guests attended the Urban Affairs Coalition's 41st Anniversary Breakfast Nov. 19 at the Crystal Tea Room. The breakfast honored Leroy Edwards, owner of Abstract Printing; Linda Burnette, founder and president of the Youth Outreach Adolescent Community Awareness Program; and the late Charles W. Bowser Sr., founder and first executive director of the Philadelphia Urban Coalition. The benefit, chaired by Lorina Marshall-Blake and Bernard Smalley, raised $260,000 for the coalition."Social Circuit" appears in Style & Soul. Contact Caroline Stewart

at 215-854-5747 or at socialcircuit@phillynews.com

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