AROUND TOWN: Toast before the JDRF ball

Gayle and Dax Beshears opened their spacious Broadmoor Resort Community home for the Jan. 22 kickoff reception for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Promise Ball.

While Gayle chatted with guests, Dax, a long-haired Shih Tzu, did his doggie duties strolling from group to group to say hello before heading for the master bedroom to curl up on a favorite fur throw.

The cocktail reception was an opportunity to thank patrons and sponsors and announce the May 9 Promise Ball and this year's honorees, Judith and Robert Mollo. The Mollos, said Dr. Michael Barber, "have been outstanding donors to JDRF" as well as the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Fine Arts Center and many more.

New JDRF branch manager Erin Hill Phelan said that they are working to find a cure for diabetes and its complications. A clinical study of continuous glucose monitoring that included a number of children from the Pikes Peak region has shown impressive results, she said, and was chosen by abc.com as one of the Top 10 Medical Breakthroughs of 2008.

JDRF Board President Andi Chernushin, a bit under the weather, said her thanks to guests before allowing husband Greg to steer her out the door to head home and recuperate.

The 2008 Promise Ball honoree and board member Leigh MacHaffie and husband Bruce visited with friends as they enjoyed a buffet by Cravings.

Also enjoying the evening - and the spectacular view of the city from the many windows - were Nancy and Hal Ward, Lisa and Jay Miller, Randy and Sue Finger, Sandra and Dr. Donald Bird, Michelle Blessing, Margo Barber, Tracy Carlson, Neill Erdossy, Tim Hoiles and Lorie Mondo, Andrea and James Houk, Shay Dickerson, Sharon LeRoy, Stacy Knott, Bob and Pattie Smith, Doyle and Melissa Svenby and Linda and Ray Renneberger.

Teen volunteers served as greeters and hostesses, and helped tidy up.

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Send information about nonprofit events and fundraisers to linda.navarro@gazette.com or mail to Linda Navarro, P.O. Box 1779, Colorado Springs, 80901.

SAVE THE DATES

• Service Club Shootout, upland bird hunt to benefit Colorado Youth Outdoors, the YMCA and the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, Feb. 7, Rocky Mountain Roosters' preserve, for information: Brett Axton, 635-3257, bretta@rmroosters.com or Kevin Maguire, 596-2171, ovecs@aol.com.

• "Nonprofit Day 2009," Center for Nonprofit Excellence, March 6, contact Donna Gibson, 575-4341, www.cnecoloradosprings.org.

• Empty Bowls Benefit, all-you-can-eat soup in a handmade bowl, proceeds benefit Colorado College Community Kitchen for the homeless and indigent, 6 p.m., Feb. 24, $10, Bemis Hall, 920 N. Cascade Ave., 389-6607.