Stars of David

September 07, 2011 - Michael Elkin, Arts & Entertainment Editor

It's in Susan Stern's cinematic ken to focus on the topics of domestic violence against women as well as substance abuse, which she has done in her much-lauded docu of Barbie Nation: An Unauthorized Tour. The San Fran filmmaker will discuss her work and do Q&A with the audience at the Sept. 20 "Behind the Lens: An Evening With Women Filmmakers," a benefit for Women in Transition, observing its 40th

Sharon Pinkenson

anniversary. It all begins at 6 p.m., at the Dorrance H. Hamilton Public Media Commons at WHYY in Old City, with Sharon Pinkenson, top jobber at the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, moderating. ... Philly-based, the ALS Hope Foundation will join the Israel ALS Research Association to feature speakers Shirley Kutner, senior exec consultant in life sciences and biotechnology at Drexel University, as well as founder of Biojerusalem, and Efrat Carmi, deputy CEO/IsrALS, at the Tikvah Project benefit on Sept. 21 at the Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia. Among those expected to attend is Daniel Kutner, consul general of Israel in Philadelphia, who just may have a special smile on his face when the speaker from Drexel takes to the podium. Make that, he better! ... Skullduggery? This kind is a positive: Philly native Dr. Chad R. Gordon has been cited in the current edition of The Journal of Neurosurgery for his landmark work in skull reconstruction. Gordon is no stranger to huzzahs, having taken part in a watershed face transplant at the Cleveland Clinic; he currently is assistant professor/department of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The skull operation was at Massachusetts General Hospital, which the onetime Harvard Med School fellow had previously served. ... Waist not: Sure, he's looking trim and triumphant now with all the weight gone, but no one has ever doubted Gov. Ed Rendell's serious commitment to a good meal. So it seems apropo that the former head of state headlines the Feastival, where he will be feted on Sept. 14. The benefit for Live Arts and the Philly Fringe Festival will cite Rendell for his promotion of all things cultural

Stephen Starr

in Philly. A taste of how good the event may be? In charge of the scores of restaurateurs offering their samplings are "Stars" Stephen Starr, Michael Solomonov and Audrey Claire Taichman, for whom "foodies" as a description is just the first course. ... He's been workin' on the railroad -- presentation: Laurence Z. Shiekman of Pepper Hamilton gave a paper on work product privileges at the Central Pacific Region, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, in Denver. Wonder if he took a choo-choo to get there. ... Taking a flyer: Attorney Scott Slomowitz is newly elected to the local board of the American Helicopter Society. Where's Airwolf when you need it? ... How now, Dow Jones? Who better to tell

Joel Naroff

than fiscal guru Joel Naroff, whose clients include Susquehanna Bank and Cumberland Advisers -- he also was a biz columnist for the Exponent. The Bucks County resident was just voted No. 1 economic seer by the National Association of Business Economics. OK, Joel; "Stars" has this option to buy a stake in a company called Enron. Your thoughts?