A Red Tie Affair for the American Red Cross

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Jewels

It has been a while since I’ve walked a red carpet quite as glamorous as the Red Tie Affair at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in support of the American Red Cross Santa Monica Chapter last Saturday.

Julie Anne Rhodes at a Royal Film Premier

The event honored Betty White for her lifelong efforts as an animal activist, Josh Duhamel for raising over $250,000.00 through the marathons he immediately organized in aide of both Haiti and Japan, and the heroic medical team from St. John’s that flew instantaneously to Haiti to care for the injured.

Looking positively ravishing – swathed in full length red gown with bejeweled collar, Christine Divine from Fox News presided as Master of Ceremonies. Other distinguished guests included Mrs. Josh Duhamel a.k.a. the drop dead gorgeous Fergie, Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy, Paris Hilton looking stunning as usual, Kathryn Joosten of Desperate Housewives, and National Red Cross President and CEO, Gail McGovern.

The Roving Stove gift certificate

The Roving Stove donated a Romantic Dinner for Two gift certificate for the silent auction. I eagerly bid on the other goodies while Tatjana did her “duty” in the casino at the Black Jack, Roulette, and Craps tables.

Card shark Tatjana Rhodes

A delectable four course dinner was designed by celebrity Chef Nick Stellino, and you can find the recipes on his website. The program included the awards and honorees, live auction, and hauntingly beautiful performance by Romina Arena. An exceptionally inspirational and moving evening that raised a great deal of money for an enormously worthy cause. The Red Cross responds to over 7000 disasters every year, most of which we never hear about in the news, but all equally as devastating for those in need.

Betty White accepting her Crystal Cross Award

“The Red Cross of Santa Monica is proudly spearheading the creation and establishment of a nationwide Red Cross program to aid and shelter animals during emergencies and to provide year-round pet CPR and pet first-aid classes. Betty White, with her lifelong advocacy of caring for animals, is the consummate embodiment of this national program.”

Josh Duhamel with Julie Anne & Tatjana Rhodes

Also honored with the “Crystal Cross Award”, actor Josh Duhamel, who helped raise funds for the Red Cross Haiti Relief by leading a “youth Run for Haiti” on Santa Monica Beach. The run enabled more than three thousand compassionate young people to become involved in helping the citizens of Haiti through their fundraising efforts. Pouring rain did nothing to deter him from doing the same for earthquake and tsunami ravaged Japan just a couple weekends ago.

Tatjana & Julie Anne Rhodes

It was an especially sweet evening for me, since my daughter happened to be visiting from London to enjoy it with me, and such a pleasure to see everyone all dolled up. I know Tatjana and I had a ball getting ready ourselves – more about that next time. In the meantime, I want to thank the American Red Cross Santa Monica chapter and PeakPRgroup, for inviting us to be a part of such a spectacular evening. I’m renaming my Ruby Beet Risotto in memory of the evening, and honor of such a worthy cause.

Red Cross Ruby Beet Risotto

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

4 cups chicken stock

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 shallots, finely diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound beets, peeled and coarsely shredded

2 cups Arborio rice

1/2 cup dry white wine

8 ounces Pecorino cheese, divided

1 teaspoon caraway seeds

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1). In a medium saucepan, bring chicken stock to a simmer. Meanwhile, thinly shave two ounces of the cheese for garnish, set aside. Grate remaining 6 ounces of cheese, set aside.

2). Melt butter with olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic, sauté until softened and beginning to brown. Add the shredded beets and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Place half the cooked beets in a bowl; set aside. Add Arborio rice to the remaining beets and shallots, and stir well, for two minutes.

3). Add wine and cook over medium heat until liquid is almost completely absorbed. Add hot chicken broth, one cup at a time, stirring frequently until nearly absorbed, repeating the process until risotto is al dente in a thick sauce, about 20 minutes.

4). Stir in the grated cheese and caraway seeds and season to taste. Serve hot topped with Pecorino shavings.

Serving Suggestions: Serve with Arugula tossed in a Balsamic-Fig Dressing.

This entry was posted in Blog, Julie Anne Rhodes and tagged Betty White, Fergie, Jewels from The Roving Stove, Josh Duhamel, Julie Anne Rhodes, Paris Hilton, Red Tie Affair, The Red Cross. Bookmark the permalink.

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61 Comments

Posted 04/12/2011 by Lori

Long time lurker, I really enjoy your blog. I like your way of telling stories and recipes, in some ways as in Aphrodite by Isabelle Allende. I am Italian and I never eat Italian food abroad or by non-Italians, but you cook as an Italian (I will try doing pesto following one of your videos!). I am very very critical on the Red Cross. In Gino Strada diaries (Gino is the marvellous founder of Emergency a non profit organization that builts hospital in poor areas or places where there is a war) you can read that when a war begins, the first organization to leave the country is the Red Cross. It a huge organization with a lot of politics and bureucracy. And when politics gets involved non humanitarian purpose is possible, in my opinion. Reading Green Parrots or Bushkashi can be enlighting.(http://www.emergencyusa.org) Keep on posting, you are really inspiring,Lori

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Posted 04/12/2011 by Anonymous

Wow Juie Anne!Glamorous as ever and what a fantastic night. Tatjana looks stunning and I love her earrings. Aussie Mum

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Posted 04/12/2011 by Anonymous

Wow, you two look gorgeous! Shyla Bisonette

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Posted 04/12/2011 by Anonymous

What a stunning dress!Audrey Grant

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Posted 04/12/2011 by Anonymous

Really beautifulLane Morris Buckman

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Posted 04/12/2011 by Anonymous

I met Josh years ago while he was still on All My Children.. Nice guy… Very handsome indeed! =)Cathy Buscemi-Conti

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Posted 04/12/2011 by Anonymous

‎….Sooo beautiful!!!China Barbara

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Posted 04/12/2011 by Julie Anne Rhodes

Yes very Cathy, and if you heard him honor his wife you would've just swooned along with her. He raised a lot of money for the Red Cross.

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Posted 04/12/2011 by Anonymous

You look FAB, Jewels……..:-) Love and miss ya!Bj Nelson

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Posted 04/12/2011 by Anonymous

You still got it!!! Dana Gale

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Posted 04/12/2011 by Anonymous

That is so awesome! I love hearing how generous celebrities can be.Cathy Buscemi-Conti

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Posted 04/12/2011 by Anonymous

Tatjana How beautiful!Scar Lette

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Posted 04/12/2011 by Anonymous

You and Tatjana looked beautiful at the benefit! But then again, you always are!Cathy Buscemi-Conti

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Posted 04/12/2011 by Anonymous

LOVE your pictures, and your profile.Madeleine Gallay

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Posted 04/12/2011 by Julie Anne Rhodes

I'm so happy you like the blog, and my recipes Lori. I consider it the ultimate compliment when an Italian approves of my Italian recipes! Sometimes I think the stork dropped me in the wrong country by mistake – I love everything about Italy, most especially the people and food (but the art, fashions, history, architecture, beauty, etc. run a close second) – what's not to love?The Red Cross is also usually the first to enter a disaster zone – yes, it is large and probably does have it's faults as a result, but it does a LOT of good in the world and has the resources to do so, due to it's size.

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Posted 04/12/2011 by Anonymous

Beautiful.Darci DeBruyn Davis

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Posted 04/12/2011 by Anonymous

You are timeless my dear…….Stuart Drexler

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Posted 04/12/2011 by Anonymous

You two ladies look fabulous!Lisa Van Ore Thompson

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Posted 04/12/2011 by Anonymous

It was Josh's lucky night!Dawn Marie Whitmarsh

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Posted 04/12/2011 by Anonymous

Tatjana looks stunning – love her hair like thatRachel Day

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Posted 04/12/2011 by Anonymous

Wow, what a great picture! Josh is gorgeous, you, missy are looking like you are dressed to take no prisoners, and Taj looks more like you all the time. Beautiful.Devoted Duranie

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Posted 04/12/2011 by Anonymous

Julie Anne,you and Tatjana are sooo beautiful!!!!!Love Tatjana's hair!!! Alessia Save A Prayer

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Posted 04/13/2011 by Anonymous

You guys look so beautiful .. man Josh is so easy on the eyesTracey J Whitney

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Posted 04/13/2011 by Anonymous

Good genes in you gals, looking amazing!Isabel Ortiz Bernad

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Posted 04/13/2011 by Anonymous

Very pretty! also love Josh!Pam Hodges-Schock

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Posted 04/13/2011 by Lori

"what's not to love?"that's an easy question… There are a lot of things that do not work well in Italy.. but I don't want to start ranting about corrupted politicians or terrible infrastractures..We are experiencing a very tough period, the temptation to run away is huge. But reading your nice words help me to remember there is still something good in this poor country.Anyway… I don't know if you already know this http://eatalyny.com/ it's a gourmet supermarket (the first one was opened in Torino, my city). If you are in NY, you can find Italian ingredients. It worths a visit or 2.

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Posted 04/13/2011 by Anonymous

I like Tatjana's new look….she's beautiful!!!Sandra Lai

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Posted 04/13/2011 by Anonymous

WOW love how awesome Tatjana looks (of course you are gorgeous too jewels) I love her hair! GORGEOUS WOMEN!!!Laura Savidge

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Posted 04/13/2011 by Anonymous

He's very lucky to be with the two of you! Well done Josh!Giuliana Iannotta

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Posted 04/13/2011 by Anonymous

Bravo.Madelein Gallay

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Posted 04/13/2011 by Anonymous

oh must be rough ladies! ♥ you both look gorgeous btwAshley Vitiritto

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Posted 04/13/2011 by little amanda 7609

How glamourous did you and Tatjana look!! Both very elegant. I am very very jealous of your photo with Josh Duhamel…..he's stunning!!

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Posted 04/13/2011 by Sara

Sounds like a very wonderful evening Jewels! You and Tatjana looked just stunning.

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Posted 04/13/2011 by Ruthee

The Red Cross is an amazing organization in so many ways. Besides being the driving force in emergency situations, they also promote and have first aid courses that one can sign up to take. I strongly suggest anyone without standard first aid certification to sign up for the next available course. Remember, that even though you may have received your initial certification, you still have take the course every 2-3 years to remain current in your certification. The peace of mind in knowing that you can jump in to help in an emergency provides peace of mind.You and Tatjana both look ravishing! Tatjana has grown into a lovely young woman. She's not a baby anymore, makes me feel a tad on the older side. Oh well! Sounds like you both had fun and that this visit is a whirlwind of activity. Hope you got that closet cleared out and found some fun stuff to put in to replace the old. Hugs to you!

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Posted 04/13/2011 by Anonymous

And standing with Josh Duhamel!!! WOW!!!Marisa Vitiritto Hartung

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Posted 04/13/2011 by Anonymous

Oh my God he is my most lusted after male !!!!! I fancy him SO much am so jealous !!!, You and Taj looked gorgeous xAmanda Kyme

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Posted 04/13/2011 by Julie Anne Rhodes

Fergie was three feet away looking drop dead gorgeous – no chance!

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Posted 04/13/2011 by Julie Anne Rhodes

BTW, I meant the Red TIE Affair – sorry, I was sleepy when I put this up.

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Posted 04/13/2011 by Anonymous

pure classRachel Cree-Lowe

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Posted 04/13/2011 by Anonymous

ooooooo lovely you are, Jewels!James Pluta

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Posted 04/13/2011 by Julie Anne Rhodes

Why thank you kindly, sir!

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Posted 04/14/2011 by Anonymous

i love that man josh duhamel so sexy and gorgous lucky you xxAntoinette Alteresco

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Posted 04/14/2011 by Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos

What a beautiful post and a beautiful evening. So generous of you to support such a wonderful cause! Jewels, you and Tatjana look amazing!

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Posted 04/14/2011 by Anonymous

WOW!Giuliana Iannotta

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Posted 04/14/2011 by Anonymous

She is so poised and statuesque!Rachel Cree-Lowe

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Posted 04/14/2011 by Anonymous

How tall is she – Tatjana looks very tallRachel Day

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Posted 04/14/2011 by Anonymous

Looking good girls!Barbara Regna

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Posted 04/14/2011 by Anonymous

Lovely !! ♥Zuleika Ponsen

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Posted 04/14/2011 by Julie Anne Rhodes

Thank you Barbara – hope you and Peter are both well?Zuleika, can you believe how grown up Tatjana is? I think she was two the last time we saw you – too long ago! How are you?

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Posted 04/14/2011 by Anonymous

Visit us soon…..Love the up-do on T! xoxoxBarbara Regna

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Posted 04/14/2011 by Julie Anne Rhodes

Would love to – seems like forever since I was in New York, and last time I wasn't there long enough to come out to the Park. It is so beautiful in your neck of the woods (literally).

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Posted 04/14/2011 by Anonymous

Yeeeeeeeeess , that's true !! I'm fine and i'm REALY comoing to L.A . in june !! ♥Zuleika Ponsen

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Posted 04/14/2011 by Julie Anne Rhodes

Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, and I will be waiting for you!Julie Anne Rhodes

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Posted 04/14/2011 by Anonymous

Two Beauties……….Stuart Drexler

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Posted 04/14/2011 by Anonymous

Love this pic!. Taj is coming unto her own!. XXXXXXXElayne Griffiths

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Posted 04/14/2011 by Anonymous

The Apple does not fall far from the tree………..Stuart Drexler

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Posted 04/14/2011 by Julie Anne Rhodes

Awwwww Stu – people will think I put you on a permanent compliment payroll, thank you!Yes Elayne, our girls have grown into beautiful women, and hopefully a bit more sensible than we were!

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Posted 04/14/2011 by Anonymous

Julie I only call it like I see it…… Love you Julie Ann ♥Stuart Drexler

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Posted 04/14/2011 by Anonymous

Yes the girls are a different kettle of fish!. I am proud as you are.XXXXXXXXXElayne Griffiths

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Posted 04/15/2011 by Anonymous

Tatjana looks gorgeous xAmanda Kyme

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Posted 12/29/2011 by Melanie

You are both so beautiful, but why do we never see pictures of Tatjana smiling? She must have an amazing smile. It’s in her DNA. :0)

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