Anne Boone-Simanski: Pushing the cause for higher education

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - It was an evening of excellence Tuesday at The Tremont Grand meeting facility on North Charles Street, as the Independent College Fund of Maryland held its annual awards celebration.

This dinner honors individuals and organizations that support the 53-year-old fund, which, according to its brochure, has created a partnership between the private sector and the state’s independent colleges to ensure a balanced system of higher education.

Before the dinner, a silent auction and reception attracted a crowd of supporters and board members.

Spotted were Jeffrey Zinn, of Saul Ewings LLP; E. “Mac” Passano Jr., president of One Waverly LLC; Sharon Christopher Wylie, board member and Fox 45 public affairs gal; Mary Pat Seurkamp, president of the College of Notre Dame; and PR gurus David Nevins and Karen Tong, of Nevins and Associates.

This year’s prestigious Impact Award was presented to St. Paul Travelers — and accepted by Alan Weiss Sr., who is the firm’s director of information services — for its continued support of higher education.

“I am proud to be a part of this team and proud to be here tonight to celebrate our hard work,” fund Executive Director Rick Haberstick said.

Proceeds from the event will support the 2007 Leadership Scholarship Fund.

For information, visit www.I-fundinfo.org.

A lot to cheer about

Last week we told you about a great place to enjoy the Ravens’ game day experience — Lot O, with a live ESPN (1300AM) pregame broadcast.

At Sunday’s home opener against the Raiders, Lot O, which is at the corner of Ridgely and Ostend streets, was sold out.

But walk-ins were, as always, welcome.

People showed up in droves to see the show’s stars — Scott Garceau, Tom Matte and Gary Stein — and get autographs from former Ravens players.

Aris Melissaratos, the state’s secretary of business and economic development, was in attendance, as was Bob Philips, bigwig at CBS radio and son of former weather guy Ken Philips, who was blown away by the great response to what is officially called “Gameday Uncensored.”

Some tips for when the San Diego Chargers come to town Oct. 1 — Lot O opens at 8 a.m. for tailgaters, and there will be live local music under the Russell Street overpass at 10:30 a.m.

The radio show will start at 11 a.m.

Mixing food and charity

I was so impressed with the food at La Tijuana Cantina’s VIP opening Sept. 14 that I simply forgot to mention in Tuesday’s column that the event included donations to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic.

Great Tex-Mex food. Great cause.

Who, what, where?

Reader Todd Bradley said Washington Redskins Sean Taylor and Clinton Portis were strolling around the Inner Harbor a couple of weekends ago.

Taylor is known almost as much for his off-field legal troubles as his work as a hard-hitting free safety.

That being said, it was only fitting that teammate Portis was wearing a “Free Sean Taylor” T-shirt.

If you have a celebrity sighting, let me know at absss@baltimoreexaminer.com, or call me at 410-878-6131.

Questions, comments? Write to absss@baltimoreexaminer.com.