It was the gala of galas for the Heart Ball , the American Heart Association 's top moneymaker and, at 750 guests, it was very big and very black-tie. If you had a new gown, and many did, this was the ball for showing it off. When they emerged from their furs on Saturday night at the Hilton, we saw enough beautiful women in strapless and backless jewel-tone gowns to warm the heart and nearly thaw the big chill that's blanketing our town. As always, the cocktail mingle was meant for scouting the silent auction to one's heart's desire. It was also the best time to beautiful-people watch. And those damsels in red stole the show. A big chill was outdoors, but a winter wonderland was found within as snowflakes swirled over the ballroom's shimmering white-on-white landscape. A crystal palace of tables lit from within with lights that slowly changed colors from white to pale blue. Flowers in the Attic's centerpieces of white hydrangeas perched high and low on glass blocks glowed in pools of moonlight from pin-spot lighting. Breathtaking, I tell you, and a fantasy setting for those glamour gowns and bling. After a heartfelt video on his brilliant leadership in training or influencing more than half the cardiologists in the region, Pitt medical school's Dr. Jim Shaver accepted the 2007 Peter Safar Pulse of Pittsburgh Award. Among his credits, Shaver opened the first cardiac catheterization lab at then-Presbyterian University Hospital. Music to our ears, the terrific City Scape, played soft and sweet during dinner (the butternut squash and apple soup was luscious) which, unheard of, actually permitted conversation. And then they had us dancing happily ever afterward. At the very heart of the ball was the AHA mission, and the eve raised $950,000 for life-saving research to mend or prevent broken hearts. But at 35 minutes, a plea for donations and the looooong live auction of high-dollar items (auctioneer Marty Davis bid up an all-in trip for two to a Steelers away game at $11,000), caused the fun to fizzle. At the top of the guest list where they belong were chairs Brooks Broadhurst , senior V.P. of Eat'n Park Hospitality Group, and beautiful Jen , wearing a knockout one-shoulder aubergine gown, with co-chair Liz Concordia , prez of UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside. As well as Ranny and Jay Ferguson; Athena and Frank Sarris; Ruth Anne and Ralph Papa; AHA chair Connie Cibrone; Janet and Dr. Vince Mosesso; Suzy and Jim Broadhurst; Curt and Kim Tillotson Fleming; Wendy Bell and Dr. Joe O'Toole with his folks Mary and Dr. Jim O'Toole; Judy and Jim Olson; Linda and Tony Bucci; Phyllis Kokkila in a fab mocha ballgown; John Miclot; Christine and Marty Gillespie; Debby and Dan Booker; Eustace and Shelley Uku; and Cynthia Kutcher and Bill Troup (they're engaged!). Plus Dee Bold with Dr. Elliott Kramer and Bill Modrak; Norma and Dr. Michael Sobel; Bonnie and Dick Anton; Dr. Judy Orie and Robert Wholey; Marygrace Reder; emcee Keith Jones of KDKA with wife Gina and daughters ; Susan and Sean Coyle; Kathy Buechel and Fred Egler; Christine and Malcolm Ferguson; Kathy and Morgan O'Brien; Petra and Alex Maurer; AHA V.P. Terry Koontz and Alana; Drs. Helene and Todd Blodgett; Christine Astorino; Drs. Donald and Nora Barry Fischer; Lori and Ralph Ruffolo; Mariana and George Whitmer; Jennifer and Tim Fraps; Janet and Paul Medvedo; Barbara and Bill Walls; Dr. Oscar Marroquin; Drs. Janet Kinnane and Conrad Smith; Pattee and Jim Terwilliger; Judy and Bob Bernardini; Stacy and Dr. John Schindler; and Brian Bronaugh. Remembering Bob To understate things considerably, the late Bob O'Connor was a one-of-a-kind mayor. He loved Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh loved him right back -- hugely. His ready smile, that shock of white hair and Irish charm warmed hearts all over again in a deeply moving video that opened Continuing the Dream , Tuesday's terrific tribute to Bob at Heinz Hall. Kenneth Nickel , who heads the dance department at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, in Midland, masterminded the one-night extravaganza of entertainment with musicians and dancers from 16 cultural arts groups, including the Pittsburgh Opera, Tamburitzans, Pittsburgh Symphony Brass, Mendelssohn Choir, CAPA and UMOJA. Each delivering razor-sharp performances as their gift to the cause, the darlings ... funding the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 's research toward a cure for the rare lymphoma that felled Bob last year. Despite the deep freeze that caused countless no-shows, the O'Connors were thronged by hundreds of fans and friends such as Bob's personal physician Dr. Stan Marks ; County CEO Dan Onorato ; Mayor Luke Ravenstahl; Michael Bartley and Mike Lee of WQED; WTAE's Sally Wiggin ; Peggy Finnegan and Dave Johnson of WPXI; Paul Gitnik; L&LS's George Omiros, Jeanne Caliguiri and Maureen Durkin; Elisha and Dr. Sukhi Grover with son Amit; Elizabeth Maher; Marlene Cassidy; Ann Adler; Randi Cohen; Susan Rudzki; Violet Gallo; Ardelle and Alfred Hopson; Mike Bucci; Patty Fisher and Jim Zeszuter; Heidi Murrin and Jeff Miller; and Dottie and Karl Urda. Sweetheart Special Love is in the air, Valentine, and although Cupid's quiver is filled with icicles, he hit the mark at Thursday's Romance and Roses , the Pittsburgh Opera Association 's glamorous Valentine soiree that was petaled in rosy beauties, bubbling in champagne and floating on the wings of song at the luxe LeMont Restaurant. Champions of the Pittsburgh Opera since 1939, this crowd has music wherever it goes. As in the apres-dinner recital that had Opera Center artists enchanting guests with glorious love songs. There was a round of raves for the sumptuous menu as well. Among the hearts and flowers were Kathleen Reshmi and Patty Barnett with Dr. Alan; POA prexy Michel Franklin and Dr. John; Christopher Hahn; PO prez John Traina and Nancy; Mary and Woody Turner; Dr. Saundra and Bill Stout; Cynthia and Frank Mustari; Carol Word and Bill Trueheart; Gloria and George Ley; Cicely Monsour; Biki and Dr. Louis Goldzer; Barbara and Dr. David Adelson; Nessa and Dr. Sam Mines; and Louise and Dr. Albert Zido. Business Matters There was nothing junior about the achievements of the stellars on tap at Wednesday's Spirit of Enterprise dinner and award benefit at the Hilton. Through Junior Achievement of Southwest Pennsylvania , these role models are inspiring our kids in the classroom with their no-frill success stories: Business Hall of Fame Laureate Daniel Sullivan , FedEx Ground; Barbara McNees , Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce; Damian Soffer , Soffer Organization; and John Friel for MEDRAD Inc. As CEO of the Allegheny Conference, Mike Langley was a natural to chair the eve that attractively showcased students who were privy to one-on-ones in the executive suite. KDKA's Sonny Abatta and John Cater emceed the eve for 300 guests, where we spotted Todd Moules; Greg Babe; Jody Doherty; Judy O'Connor and family; Bruce Kaplan; Dinah and Lee Strayer; and JA prez Dennis Gilfoyle with Cindy. Helping Hearts Nothing beats a new hotspot with a hip vibe for those who like a scene with their fundraiser. It wasn't exactly a girls' night out, since many brought roommates or reeled in good buddies, but the scene was standing room only at the Altar Bar in the Strip District for Friday's Hearts and Hopes Valentine bash. Some 350 power women and those who love them gathered to graze Market District's tempting buffet, drink Cosmos, schmooze and bid on auction goodies. And open their hearts to Girls Hope of Pittsburgh that shelters and cares for disadvantaged young ladies, age 10-18, in two family-like homes, as well as providing them with a quality education through college. Leading with their hearts to raise $19,500 were such as chair Julie Goodall of Giant Eagle ; Colleen Darragh; Jennifer Sloan; Judy Kennedy; GH's Sister Mary Parks; Colleen and Dave Roth; Sarah Anthony; Karl Carbone; Megan Hennigan; Jennifer Daurora; Jeannine and Jeremy Blyth; Carrie and Jim Will; Rena Ciotti; Julia Morgan; Brittney Osikowicz; Mariam Quest; Ruth and Dan Darragh; and Liz and Mike Sattler. Renaissance Awards John Miclot of Respironics, Pittsburgh Pirates' Patty Paytas , Point Park U's Bob O'Gara and Tom Dowling of Burson-Marsteller were in the vanguard of honorees at the recent 2007 Renaissance Awards ceremony hosted by the Public Relations Society of America in the Omni William Penn ballroom. Wordsmiths smartly wined, dined and honored their own ... communicators who had the greatest impact on educating, influencing and shaping public opinion in the year that was -- not just in the national marketplace, but for the greater good of our community. PRSA prez John Pepper, sporting a Fab Four necktie, and benefit chair Amy Kowal were in the crowd of 250 applauding other winners such as Amie Ley, Debbie Foster and Sherri Slafka.