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This week: Suns coach parties with another team? Why we won’t forget...

Phoenix Suns Coach Alvin Gentry and wife Suzanne partied with a different team on Saturday night. Why is this newsworthy? Why should you know about this about his private life?

Because it’s something I and many others won’t forget. And shouldn’t forget.

Not that it’s all that unusual for a celeb athlete to attend another team’s party. But Alvin and Suzanne pledged their support to this team! In front of the 350 guests at Olive & Ivy, Alvin shared his passion for the breaking research and patient care programs at Banner Alzheimer’s Institute. His late mother, Bulah Mae, of North Carolina was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He recalled how painful it was for his family and late father G.H. (his parents were married 63 years.)

So, very appropriately the coach was presented with the “Powerful Mind Award” and the posh evening was officially named “A Night to Remember.”

The entire restaurant was closed just for the fundraiser. On a Saturday night! Owner Sam Fox who attended the event, is a supporter of the Alzheimer’s Institute.

The delightfully culinary affair (over 12 different gourmet foods throughout the restaurant – including healthy salmon, miso glazed black cod and a goat cheese, walnut and fruit harvest salad- not to mention the plenty of spirits and beverages) ….was more than expected for the $150 per person ticket.

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Coach Alvin competitively outbid others for one of the two dinner packages donated by Fox Restaurant Concepts. That dinner for 12 people includes Sam Fox serving as the evening’s executive chef in the Gentry’s home.

Another restaurateur at the popular affair was Rick Federico, chairman of P.F. Chang’s. Rick’s in the photo above – in the right hand corner watching the bidding. My photog buddy Ben Arnold caught the action in that photo.

Partygoer and philanthropist David Lorsch had the highest bid for one of the packages donated by P.F. Chang’s. 

The 2 Michelle’s

I wasn’t surprised that David Lorsch’s wife- the well organized Cindy who I’ve known for years, wasted no time in putting together the party plans. She invited Michelle and Stan Powell (as in the car dealer Powell family) and Michele and Steve Schwanz who were all that Saturday night’s festive fete.

Michele with one “L” is on the Women’s Council of the Institute, which hosted the bash.

The P.F. Chang’s auction item includes a multi-course wine pairing menu for eight people at P.F. Chang’s test kitchen.

Peggy Federico and Amy Goff are chairing next year's event. Can't wait to find out which venue they'll chose. 

Fashion

Suzanne Hilton, founder of this now three year old fete, was among those in smart and classy monochrome fashion. 

I snapped this photo below as Suzanne Hilton greeted guest Kate Robinson, both realizing they chose the black and white style.

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Suzanne’s family knows the challenges of Alzheimer’s, as her mother Ann Bey has Alzheimer’s. Event co-advisor Heidi Berkley also knows the challenges of Alzheimer’s. Her late mother Lillian Price also suffered from the growing disease. I asked the coach to pose with the petite Heidi for the photo below.

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Cheryl Mendez and Kim Townsend pictured below in Ben’s photo co-chaired this elegantly casual affair. And you can see they are also coincidently both adorned in the black and white fashion statement.

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They expect to net $200,000. That’s something to remember for a third time fundraiser in this economy!! Congrats.

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Kathy Shayna Shocket is a Phoenix based writer. If you have a good item for The AZ Insider, you can email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .