Pictured at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital's Annual Gala Event are honored guests Tony and Monica Jorge, on left, with Spaulding Rehabilitation Network & Partners Continuing Care President David Storto, right, and V.P. of Patient Care Services Joanne Fucile. (Photo by Roger Farrington)

The Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital's Annual Gala Event, themed “Technology in Motion,” was held at the Citi-Wang Theatre Boston.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Senator John F. Kerry, Governor Deval L. Patrick, and Mayor Thomas M. Menino were the honorary chairs. Susan Wornick of WCVB-TV Channel 5 was the evening's emcee.

Among the highlights of the evening was a special citation from Governor Patrick honoring Helen Spaulding and the Spaulding family for their continued dedication to the hospital and rehabilitative care in Massachusetts.

The event showcased the hospital's cutting edge technology and dedication to patient care while raising money for state-of-the-art programs and groundbreaking research.

Dr. Ross Zafonte and his recent research study were featured as well as Monica Jorge, the subject of a “Boston Globe Magazine” series “Saving Monica,” and an Oprah television episode noting her amazing story of recovery after losing all four limbs.

According to the hospital's Tim Sullivan, "In 1967, Josiah 'Si' Spaulding and other civic leaders began plans for a ten-story, extended care hospital to be located on the banks of the Charles River in Boston. In 1970 they opened the doors to what was then called Massachusetts Rehabilitation Hospital. Shortly after Si’s death in 1983, MRH was purchased by Massachusetts General Hospital and renamed Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital (SRH) in memory of its founder."

Sullivan adds, "Si’s wife Helen joined the newly formed Board of Trustees in 1983, dedicating her time and resources to continuing the great work that was started by her late husband. The commitment to the New England community from the Spaulding family, including Helen and Si’s three sons, Jeb, Josiah and Sandy, goes beyond SRH….”

Congratulations and Best Wishes to all. For more information about the hospital and its programs, visit www.spauldingrehab.org.

Boston Symphony Orchestra Will Host Fashion Contest

The Boston Symphony Orchestra will present “Project Mozart,” a unique fashion contest featuring designs inspired by the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, scheduled in conjunction with upcoming BSO all-Mozart programs, February 12, 17, and 19, at Symphony Hall.

The “Project Mozart” contest will feature evening-wear designs by eleven talented fashion students affiliated with schools throughout the greater Boston area.

Symphony Hall doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for pre-concert receptions on all three “Project Mozart” evenings, allowing patrons to view the dresses presented by professional models and enjoy a festive Symphony Hall atmosphere before taking their seats for the 8 p.m. concert.

The winner of “Project Mozart” will be announced at a special post-concert reception in Higginson Hall, following the February 19 performance.

The eleven contestants competing in the contest are Emily Hancock, April LeBlanc, Charles Neumann, Rheanna Oliver-Palanca, and Christian Di Pietro, affiliated with Lasell College; Christel Akouri, Ashley Marie Collett, Virginia Grassilli, Lowander Lee, and Paige Skinner, affiliated with Massachusetts College of Art and Design; and Cam Yen Le, affiliated with Mount Ida College. Each contestant has been given $150 towards the production of his or her design.

The winner of “Project Mozart” will be determined by a panel of fashion experts including Gretta Monahan of GrettaCole and Gretta Spa, “Improper Bostonian’s” Jonathan Soroff, reigning Miss Massachusetts Alison Cronin, fashion designer Denise Hajjar, and Tonn, executive director of Tonn Model Management, along with input from the audience.

The “Project Mozart” winner will be featured in “Boston Common Magazine” and will receive a shopping spree complete with a personal shopper from the Bloomingdale’s Y.E.S. department.

“Project Mozart” is part of Symphony+, the BSO’s new program of pre- and post-concert events designed to offer concertgoers a wide variety of both educational and light-hearted events.

For further information, visit www.bso.org.

“Festa della Musica” Gala to Benefit New England Conservatory

It’s been called one of Boston's "Top 10" parties. But the music patrons who attend the “Festa della Musica” know that it's more than just a chance to get dressed up. This elegant evening brings together Boston's most prominent business leaders and cultural philanthropists to benefit New England Conservatory's General Scholarship Fund.

One of the season's most anticipated evenings, “A Feast of Music” pairs sumptuous food and wine with superb performances of jazz, opera, and classical music. Since 1997, the event has raised more than $2 million to help make an NEC education possible for every deserving student.

It all takes place on Saturday, February 28 in the Grand Ballroom of the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston. This year, the event takes on an Italian flavor that extends to the music, the cuisine, even the silent auction treasures.

Liborio Stellino, Consul General of Italy, is the Honorary Chair with Lane D. Young and Deborah Smith, Co-Chairs.

For tickets or more information about “Festa della Musica,” please contact Janet Goff at 617- 585-1152.

Enjoy!

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