Cocktail Party

Former furrier Mary Kakas hosted a cocktail party at the Ritz Residences Wednesday to kick off Rogerson Communities' upcoming spring gala. (The May 30 event, to be held at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum, will honor Marilyn Rodman with the Charles E. Rogerson Award for Community Service, and her husband, Don , will accept on behalf of his wife.) Guests at the cocktail party included Rogerson president Jamie Seagle , Carolyn Campanelli , Nile Albright , Ed Dann of Dellbrook Construction, Janet Sharp Kershaw , Barbara Quiroga , Colette Phillips , and Denise...

Police on Tuesday defused a pair of powerful firecrackers hidden in a Buenos Aires theater and apparently timed to explode just when a crowd of high-paying guests would have gathered to greet former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe. A theater employee found the explosives lodged in a light fixture in the Gran Rex theater, authorities said. It was attached to a cellphone with an alarm set for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, just when Uribe would have joined a post-speech cocktail with business executives and other important guests, investigative Judge Norberto Oyarbide said.

Pats owner Robert Kraft was emotional Saturday as he accepted an honorary degree awarded posthumously by Brandeis to his late wife, Myra, at the school's commencement. . . . Hall of Fame running back John Riggins was at the Pine Street Inn Sunday, where he served venison tacos to the homeless as part of the Sportsman Channel's "Hunt.Fish.Feed. " program that uses game meat and fish donated by sportsmen to feed the hungry. . . . Gus and Scout - the five-piece band fronted by Gus Wenner (son of Rolling Stone magazine founder Jann Wenner and ex-wife Jane )

Pats owner Robert Kraft was emotional Saturday as he accepted an honorary degree awarded posthumously by Brandeis to his late wife, Myra, at the school's commencement. . . . Hall of Fame running back John Riggins was at the Pine Street Inn Sunday, where he served venison tacos to the homeless as part of the Sportsman Channel's "Hunt.Fish.Feed. " program that uses game meat and fish donated by sportsmen to feed the hungry. . . . Gus and Scout - the five-piece band fronted by Gus Wenner (son of Rolling Stone magazine founder Jann Wenner and ex-wife Jane )

EASTON - The House of Possibilities, a center for children and adults with developmental disabilities, could get a $250,000 check from billionaire investor Warren Buffett's older sister, Doris. The only catch is that the nonprofit, which opened in 2009 on the edge of the Stonehill College campus, has to raise the same amount of money within a year. The grant would come from Doris Buffett's Sunshine Lady Foundation, which she formed in 1996 for the sole purpose of giving away all of her considerable inherited wealth.

I was at a cocktail party this weekend, and after Mr. Improbable and I had had 10 minutes' worth of quite nice conversation with one of the other guests, he told her that I write the "Miss Conduct" column. And she promptly choked on her canape and spat food all over her skirt. I've had some interesting responses when I tell people what I do for work, but that was the most memorable in a while.

Police on Tuesday defused a pair of powerful firecrackers hidden in a Buenos Aires theater and apparently timed to explode just when a crowd of high-paying guests would have gathered to greet former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe. A theater employee found the explosives lodged in a light fixture in the Gran Rex theater, authorities said. It was attached to a cellphone with an alarm set for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, just when Uribe would have joined a post-speech cocktail with business executives and other important guests, investigative Judge Norberto...

The revolution will not be televised, but it may take place by the light of multiple flat-screens. Where once there was naught but pizza and middling Chinese food, where once the thirsty roamed far and wide seeking drink, lo, now there are restaurants. In Milton. With liquor licenses. Restaurants serving cocktails named things like “Manhattan Meets Milton Center’’ and “Baker’s Chocolate.’’ Restaurants with steak frites and raw bar, where aioli is spattered as freely as pellets at a drunken paint ball tourney.

PICK OF THE DAY There will be fun Before tomorrow's premiere of Hasty Pudding Theatricals' production of ‘‘There Will Be Flood," Jason Segel will be roasted as Man of the Year. The ‘‘Muppets" and ‘‘How I Met Your Mother" star precedes a story about futuristic time travelers who put it in reverse to stop that flood prophecy. Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. (premiere at 8:40 p.m.; through March 4). $120 roast and premiere; $28 (Wed, Thurs), $38 (Fri-Sun). Hasty Pudding Theatre, 12 Holyoke St., Cambridge.

The Academy Awards are the film industry's biggest night of the year, and movie fans deserve their own Oscar celebrations. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and ABC, which broadcasts the Academy Awards, suggest Oscar Sunday ought to be like Super Bowl Sunday — a day devoted to fun, food and a beloved, shared pastime. While most movie lovers won't serve the more than two dozen dishes Wolfgang Puck has planned for Oscar's official after party and can't summon legendary crooner Tony Bennett, who is set to perform the Governors Ball, they can get in on...

Former furrier Mary Kakas hosted a cocktail party at the Ritz Residences Wednesday to kick off Rogerson Communities' upcoming spring gala. (The May 30 event, to be held at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum, will honor Marilyn Rodman with the Charles E. Rogerson Award for Community Service, and her husband, Don , will accept on behalf of his wife.) Guests at the cocktail party included Rogerson president Jamie Seagle , Carolyn Campanelli , Nile Albright , Ed Dann of Dellbrook Construction, Janet Sharp Kershaw , Barbara Quiroga , Colette Phillips , and Denise...

The Academy Awards are the film industry's biggest night of the year, and movie fans deserve their own Oscar celebrations. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and ABC, which broadcasts the Academy Awards, suggest Oscar Sunday ought to be like Super Bowl Sunday — a day devoted to fun, food and a beloved, shared pastime. While most movie lovers won't serve the more than two dozen dishes Wolfgang Puck has planned for Oscar's official after party and can't summon legendary crooner Tony Bennett, who is set to perform the Governors...

PICK OF THE DAY There will be fun Before tomorrow's premiere of Hasty Pudding Theatricals' production of ‘‘There Will Be Flood," Jason Segel will be roasted as Man of the Year. The ‘‘Muppets" and ‘‘How I Met Your Mother" star precedes a story about futuristic time travelers who put it in reverse to stop that flood prophecy. Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. (premiere at 8:40 p.m.; through March 4). $120 roast and premiere; $28 (Wed, Thurs), $38 (Fri-Sun). Hasty Pudding Theatre, 12 Holyoke St., Cambridge.

EASTON - The House of Possibilities, a center for children and adults with developmental disabilities, could get a $250,000 check from billionaire investor Warren Buffett's older sister, Doris. The only catch is that the nonprofit, which opened in 2009 on the edge of the Stonehill College campus, has to raise the same amount of money within a year. The grant would come from Doris Buffett's Sunshine Lady Foundation, which she formed in 1996 for the sole purpose of giving away all of her considerable inherited wealth.

NEXT FALL Presented by SpeakEasy Stage Company At: Roberts Studio Theatre, Boston Center for the Arts, through Oct. 15 Tickets: $50-$55. 617-933-8600, www.SpeakEasyStage.com "Next Fall" was the first full-length play written by actor Geoffrey Nauffts. It premiered off-Broadway in 2009 and hit Broadway in 2010, earning a Tony nomination for best play. Not bad for a novice. "It's kind of astonishing," says Scott Edmiston, who's directing a SpeakEasy Stage Company production of "Next Fall," now in previews.

I was at a cocktail party this weekend, and after Mr. Improbable and I had had 10 minutes' worth of quite nice conversation with one of the other guests, he told her that I write the "Miss Conduct" column. And she promptly choked on her canape and spat food all over her skirt. I've had some interesting responses when I tell people what I do for work, but that was the most memorable in a while.

PITTSFIELD — Another summer night, another Alan Ayckbourn comedy. This time it’s “Absurd Person Singular’’ at Barrington Stage Company, which presents the three-act shenanigans of three variously ridiculous couples with a high gloss of retro style, a neat sense of timing and balance, and just a touch of acid at the bottom of it all. Ayckbourn contributed the acid by hinting at the ruthlessness behind the social-climbing efforts of...

Florida's defense deserved a rousing toast after this game -- even if it wasn't a cocktail party. The Gators forced two fumbles and intercepted two passes, helping ninth-ranked Florida beat Georgia, 21-14, yesterday and continue its recent dominance in the rivalry. Florida has won eight of nine and 15 of the last 17 in the series that has been known as the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, although school and city officials are trying to downplay the moniker because of its negative imagery.

Simple Rosemary and Garlic Marinated Olives Makes 2 cups 2 cups assorted cracked or pitted olives, drained and rinsed 2 cloves garlic, very thinly sliced 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary 3 large strips lemon zest 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons dry white wine Pinch salt In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours and up to 2 weeks. MAKE AHEAD: From 1 day up to 2 weeks before your party.

PITTSFIELD — Another summer night, another Alan Ayckbourn comedy. This time it’s “Absurd Person Singular’’ at Barrington Stage Company, which presents the three-act shenanigans of three variously ridiculous couples with a high gloss of retro style, a neat sense of timing and balance, and just a touch of acid at the bottom of it all. Ayckbourn contributed the acid by hinting at the ruthlessness behind the social-climbing efforts of...