BALTIMORE (Map, News) - With a great family and a satisfying career, life was sweet for Phoenix resident Anne Talbot Brennan until the 46-year-old mother of three was diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer three years ago.

With courage and determination to fight this deadly disease, Anne, a litigation partner at Whiteford, Taylor and Preston, didn’t sit on her sick fanny, she organized the first “gastronomic” fundraiser, which was held last Friday at The Maryland Science Center. More than 600 guests showed up to support the Johns Hopkins Colon Cancer Center and the Colon Cancer Alliance.

“Many have asked me how I came up with the name ‘Gastronomique — A Taste of Life,’ ” Brennan told the enthusiastic crowd. “Well, I was going call it the Bowel Ball.”

“Having the event [at the Science Center] with its Body Worlds 2 exhibit was a perfect fit,” said committee member Ann Marsh. “Folks can actually see where their colon is.”

Spotted among the guests were H.T and Cheri Brown, Nancy and Lou Grasmick, the mother-daughter team of Ellie and Paige Elliott, McCormick & Co.’s James Brennan, who just happens to be Anne’s hubby, Tricia Slawinski-Carpenter and junior chairwomen Mary Helen, Peggy and Libby Brennan, daughters of Anne and James.

SPOTTED

Fresh off the vine. Rick Boyer, famous winemaker for Robert Mondavi, made a stop last week at the Rusty Scupper in the Inner Harbor. What brought the California grape great to the Land of Pleasant Living? “I’m here to share our new vintage with selected restaurants in Maryland,” Boyer said. “It does take me away from my home, not that I’m wine-ing.”

PSST! YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST

Severn resident Ed St. John (St. John Properties Inc.), who was dubbed Ed “Saint” John in this month’s issue of Baltimore magazine for his generous philanthropic work, has acquired another title — hubby. Katherine Wood and Ed tied the knot at his beautiful waterfront home last Saturday.

ANNE’S PICK OF THE WEEK

- What: Art with a Heart’s annual Art in the City event

- When: Saturday, 7.30 p.m.

- Where: Geppi’s Entertainment Museum, 301 W. Camden St. in Baltimore, 410-366-8886

- Tickets: $75