Basil and Stephanie Browne welcome guests to Bon Vivant's opening reception in Randolph. (Photo by Diana Levine)
 

Stephanie Browne's interest in learning more about wine led her to found the Divas Uncorked, the prestigious Boston-based wine education group.

Browne has guided the Divas in taking its private education public, organizing sold-out vintner dinners and corporate wine tastings-many of which we've written about in the past.

Under Browne's leadership, the Divas created Boston's first-ever wine conference for women as well as "The Divas Uncorked Wine and Food Festival" on Martha's Vineyard.

Members of the Divas were recently on board at a festive soiree to help celebrate their colleague's most recent adventure.

With her husband, Basil, Stephanie "popped the cork" on a long-time dream come true by opening the Bon Vivant Wine Company, Inc. in Randolph. The main attraction at Bon Vivant is the latest in wine-navigating tools, the WineConnect interactive kiosk.

Guiding even the most bashful novice, the kiosk is as simple to use as a home computer, and at the touch of a screen provides complete profiles of every wine in the store and information on ratings, food and wine pairings and wine-maker's notes. Customers can search by price, region, vintage, varietals, etc., and can even create their own private wine portfolio, listing the wines they've tried with personal tasting notes.

"I've always been determined to break down the intimidating image of the wine world," says Browne. "At Bon Vivant, we aim to provide education with every bottle...."

We can all look forward to "very social" wine tasting seminars, when Stephanie and Basil will share their knowledge and pair reds, whites and bubbly with samples from their offerings of cheeses, spreads, pâtés, and sweets.

For more information, call 781-767-WINE (9463).

Museum of Science to Host "College Night"

On Monday, September 15, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., the Museum of Science welcomes students back to the city in style with its 12th annual "College Night."

Those with a valid college ID are offered free admission for a night of exhibits, laser shows, Omni films, 3-D presentations, live programs, a Battle of the Rock Bands Tournament and more.

Students are invited to enter a free raffle for a chance to win great prizes from area vendors, restaurants, stores, sports teams and more. There is a limit of two timed tickets per person for special exhibits, films, and presentations.

Kiss 108FM will be onsite providing music.

For more information, call 617/589-0250 or visit www.mos.org.

St. Jude Benefit Gala Scheduled for September 27

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, in conjunction with the ALSAC New England Regional Office, will host its 10th annual fund raising event, "Big Dreams Start Small!" on Saturday, September 27, at the Boston Marriott Copley Place, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The theme is "A Decade of Dreaming!"

The black tie optional gala includes both live and silent auctions, dinner and a fashion show featuring the fall collection by Denise Hajjar, as well as dancing to a live DJ.

WCVB-TV5's Heather Unruh will return for the fourth year as event emcee and Susan Wornick as the auctioneer.

In recognition of his work and commitment to improving the lives of children, the "2008 Big Dreamer Award" will be presented to Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.

The Big Dreams Start Small Gala, founded and chaired by noted fashion designer, Denise Hajjar, has raised more than $1.5 million for the children of St. Jude in the past nine years.

Tickets must be purchased in advance, as the event sold out last year. For details, call 1-800-341-5800 or visit www.highersite.com/bigdreams.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

Founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay.

For more information, visit www.stjude.org.

Enjoy!

In addition to events covered and reported by the columnist, "The Scene..." 
is compiled from various other sources such as news releases, PRNewswire services, etc.

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