Goodbye, gray skies! It was a full contingent of the local beauty brigade that lit up the evening with their high-wattage frocks glimmering in every shade of gorgeous for the Rainbow Gala on Saturday, where skies were blue and dreams came true during this annual black-tie for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation . Luscious roses by Hepatica bloomed in bursts of reds, yellows and pinks on each of the tabletops, the perfect splash to complement the monochromatic elegance of the black-and-white satin draped ballroom of the Hilton, thanks to party pro Bonnie Walker of Bonnie Walker Events. And while we had endured an unbearably slow two-car valet line that snaked its way 'round the bend to Liberty Avenue, good things came to those who waited, thanks to the impeccable white-gloved service from the kitchen. Following emcee Jim Roddey 's quippy invocation of, "Dear Lord, thank you for getting this crowd quiet. Amen!," our courses began with a Caesar salad served in a crisp parmesan bowl followed by a perfectly grilled petit filet paired with a melt-in-your-mouth salmon crudite. Having conveniently left my willpower hanging in my closet, there was nothing left to do but succumb to every last crumb of the melt-in-your-mouth cream-filled blueberry cake. Afterward, not a dry eye was left in the house after honoree David Burstin 's (with Barbara ) moving acceptance speech, which he gave with his beloved 8-year-old grandson, Jacob Lichtenstein , who has been living with diabetes for the past four years and dreams of hooping it in the NBA when he grows up. Game on, Jacob! We'll be there to cheer you on courtside as you slam-dunk your way to basketball superstardom. All 615 hearts of gold deserve a rousing Fanfare for their glittering generosity, raising their paddles to the tune of $218K during the Fund A Cure bidding and live auction, with proceeds going toward research of an artificial pancreas. Now, this is what we call sunshine on our shoulders! Highlights included $9K for an adorable Goldendoodle puppy with a face that could melt an iceberg, and -- going once, going twice ... sold! -- $20K for a set of 16 pasta bowls hand-painted (move over, Monet!) by the JDRF kids. Not a dark cloud in sight; over $900K was found at the end of this rainbow! Our hearts and soles stayed on a high note well into the night, as Gary Racan and the studio-e band made sure we dancing queens were having the twirl of our lives with our dashing black-tied beaus. A glorious evening of grand proportions thanks to co-chairs Mary Beth Allegretti (with Jon ), Heidi Brandon (with Darryl ) and Dusty Elias Kirk (with Bill Caroselli ); West Penn Allegheny Health System CEO Dr. Christopher Olivia (with Laurie ) and Jewish Healthcare Foundation prexy Karen Wolk Feinstein (in a fantabulous Flores & Flores), who served as corporate chairs; JDRF prez Jimmy Williams Jr. with Valerie ; director David Donahue with Pauli; Scott and Pam Kroh; Jason and Julie Lichtenstein (Jacob's parents); Edgar and Sandy Snyder; Steve and Nan DeTurk; George and Susan Stewart; John and Kim Dolan; Bill and Nancy Rackoff; Philip and Amy Elias ; and Peter and Leslie Robinson . As well as David and Kathy Sharick; George and Jamie Magovern ; Calvin and Julie McCutcheon; Mike Blehar and Beth Evans; John and Carol Oxenreiter; Milton and Sheila Fine; Jack and Mary Jo Elliott ; Drs. Jeffrey Cohen and Leslie Soloshatz; John and Denise Stilley; Jack and Cathy Demos; Rita Randall; Susie Levine; Dot Pollon; and Jeanne and Mark Baseman . Precious Gifts Mother Nature might have had us running in between raindrops on our way into the Westin, but an early evening barrage of April showers did nothing to dampen the spirits of the 450 who attended the 14th annual Family Resources Awards Benefit on Tuesday. Sometimes, it's easy to lose sight of what matters most in life, but it didn't take us long to remember as we all stood in appreciation of the individuals and organizations who share a common vision of working to ensure that children are able to be nurtured in safe, healthy environments, free from abuse. Sharing in this $150K success were honorees Jennifer Watson , Pittsburgh Zoo prexy Dr. Barbara Baker and Giant Eagle's Laura Karet ; along with director Walter Smith ; chairs Steve and Leslie Davis ; BNY Mellon CEO Bob Kelly with Rose ; USX chairman John Surma with Elizabeth; Anita and Ira Gumberg ; and Carol and Peter Mathieson . Role Models Green was declared the new black during the Ladies Luncheon and Fashion Show at the Fox Chapel Golf Club on Wednesday (quite apropos, considering it was Earth Day), where a parade of strolling models immediately had us mentally spring-cleaning the winter wardrobe right out of our closets (I'm already making room for the to-die-for silk charmeuse ombre gown from Nicole Miller!). And while we thoroughly enjoyed the wine, the dine and the haute pursuit of chicster fashions of all kinds, there was nothing more satisfying than an afternoon spent in the company of this amazing group of women whose passion for finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis is truly inspiring. Three cheers for co-chairs Cindy Feldman, Cindy Harrison and Paula Lockhart , and the 200 who did their part in helping add tomorrows every day. We spotted Kristin Atkinson, Colleen O'Brien, Jocelyn Wojcikiewicz, Angela Aziz, Lisa Polkis, Carol Bliss, Lindsay Jack, Linda Boyle, Debbie Fazi, Janet Brendel and Emily Fawcett . Raising the Bar This was one mid-week respite that really had us buzzing. Wednesday, and we were floating amongst 100 of our nearest and dearest at The Cork Factory during the pre-party kick-off for The Neighborhood Academy 's upcoming Faces of the Future Celebration, which (big red circle in those day planners, m'dears) will take place May 29. Co-founder Jodie Moore greeted guests as they arrived bearing the requested two bottles that will stock the bar for the aforementioned soiree. We thought she'd be flying solo sans her business-partner half, but the Rev. Thomas Johnson Jr. made his fashionably late debut just as the festivities were shifting into high gear. Talk about a sight for sore eyes! Admiring a lofty view of our city skyline were hosts Kitty Hillman and Richard Burkland; Betsy Branson; Michael and Jan McSorley; Debbie Dick; Elizabeth McDonald; Steve Webster; Barbara MacQuown ; and Catherine Loevner . Grape Expectations Seventh Avenue was clear of the evening rush on Thursday, but the sidewalk was lined halfway down the block with over 270 (and 100 more who showed up at the door!) eagerly awaiting entrance into Bossa Nova for Grapevine , the special wine-tasting benefit for Make-A-Wish that had us uncorking our weekend a tad early with a bottle of red and a bottle of white. Indeed, it was a happy mix of vino-istas and suited suitors (both potential and established) that not only managed to keep their glass half full for the evening, but also to keep an eye on each other while stealthily checking out the score of the Penguins-Flyers game. Raising their glasses for this $25K palate pleaser were co-chairs Leslie and Sandy Aderson; Louis, Lois, Kelly and Michael Lamanna ; and Kim Carradine . Also, Make-A-Wish prexy Judi Stone ; board chair Beth Eckenrode; Mike Mortensen; Mark Kehoe; Robert Wholey ; and Timothy and Debbie Hudak . Grape Expectations Seventh Avenue was clear of the evening rush on Thursday, but the sidewalk was lined halfway down the block with over 270 (and 100 more who showed up at the door!) eagerly awaiting entrance into Bossa Nova for Grapevine , the special wine-tasting benefit for Make-A-Wish that had us uncorking our weekend a tad early with a bottle of red and a bottle of white. Indeed, it was a happy mix of vino-istas and suited suitors (both potential and established) that not only managed to keep their glass half full for the evening, but also to keep an eye on each other while stealthily checking out the score of the Penguins-Flyers game. Raising their glasses for this $25K palate pleaser were co-chairs Leslie and Sandy Aderson; Louis, Lois, Kelly and Michael Lamanna ; and Kim Carradine . Also, Make-A-Wish prexy Judi Stone ; board chair Beth Eckenrode; Mike Mortensen; Mark Kehoe; Robert Wholey ; and Timothy and Debbie Hudak . Excellence Is Ageless "Hello, fellow Earthlings! It's been almost 40 years since I stepped foot on the moon. ... My footprints will be there for the next 30 million years -- until, that is, the day comes when some American tourist goes up there and replaces them with their own." Capt. Alan Bean provided over 400 of us with an out-of-this-world narrative on his experience traveling 250,000 miles as the fourth man to set foot on the moon during the Lutheran SeniorLife 's Excellence Is Ageless Gala at the East Club Lounge of Heinz Field on Friday. Bean was honored along with distinguished businessman Dick Simmons for their inspirational and lifelong achievements. Counting down to this $166K blastoff were chairs Jenifer and Mark Evans (our entertaining emcee!); prez David Fenoglietto with Janelle ; foundation prez Ed Hager with Kathy; Sean and Amy Sebastian; Laura and Richard Deklewa; Gary and Jane Frantz ; Bishop Kurt Kusserow ; the Rev. David Gleason ; and Dan and Vickie Wille .