As the days approach to my third Mother’s Day without my mom, Janet, I miss her more and more.

That’s why I love how Lisa Canning, founder of the nonprofit Institute for Arts Entrepreneurship, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., is honoring the memory of her mother, Lea Argiris.

Argiris was an artist — a gardener, chef and model — and about $100,000 worth of her designer clothes and accessories by Gucci, Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, etc. were incorporated into artwork being auctioned off through May 9 at http://stores.ebay.com/IAE-Scholarship-Fund-Store.

Although Canning and Argiris often did not see eye-to-eye, Canning says her mother taught her that artistic creativity can die without the “support and rudder” it needs. She wants to raise $500,000 to launch IAE’s first pilot program this fall.

“My mom represents the plight of so many artists,” said Canning, a self-employed musician. “They don’t have all the skills they need to succeed.

Auction proceeds from will be split 50-50 between the artists and IAE, which helps artists develop new kinds of jobs in the corporate sector, and launch and develop their own creative ideas into businesses.

“We need the arts more than ever — we need the creativity they have to offer,” said Canning.

Raising HOPE… Since 1996, 100 percent of babies born at Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s HIV Center have been AIDS and HIV free through monitoring of medications and coordination of social and multidisciplinary clinical services. HOPE, which stands for Help Optimism Perseverance Encouragement, is the center’s women’s program and its mission supports treatment of women living with HIV and preventing HIV and AIDS transmission to newborns.

Near North Sider and HOPE board member DeeDee Spence has created an amazing painting of Division Street as an auction item for the annual HOPE Art Auction, “Embracing Tomorrow,” May 12, at the Fine Arts Building, (10th floor) 410 S. Michigan Ave. Besides Spence, artists nationwide have created works including jewelry, pottery and paintings.

The HOPE group has worked hard for “such a long time,” coordinating holistic care and helping women living here that come from countries around the globe, said Dr. Patricia Garcia, director of the women’s clinic at Northwestern and a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV and AIDS.

Although it’s been 30 years since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, complacency is still the No. 1 problem when dealing with HIV and AIDS, with stigma being No. 2, Dr. Garcia said. Through HOPE though, infected women receive what the program’s name alludes to — the hope and care to deliver disease-free babies and the tools for a life well-lived.

“We improve the health and well-being of moms,” said Dr. Garcia. “I always stressed that you can’t have a healthy baby without a healthy mom.”

Proceeds provide layettes, a psychologist and a social worker. For more information, visit www.hope-chicago.org.

Fiesta time… Party hearty for Cinco de Mayo starting at 5 p.m. May 5 at Dos Diablos’ outdoor fest, 15 W. Hubbard St. For a voluntary donation to Children’s Memorial Hospital, rain or shine you’ll find two bands, strolling mariachis, salsa dancers, and food and drinks for sale, according to general manager Miguel Chavez.

Head Wright over… to Lloyd Natof’s handcrafted furniture shop’s moving party and sale, May 7 at 1217 W. Monroe St. Natof, great grandson of Frank Lloyd Wright, said it’s the “last chance to party in a woodshop in the shadow of the Loop, spy on the police parking lot, play with big woodworking machinery and buy some beautiful furniture at crazy low prices.”

Don’t be a chicken… hit Wing Madness, May 11 at Dick’s Last Resort, 315 N. Dearborn St. Watch 18th District cops and city firemen battle, benefitting Easter Seals. Co-chairs Kathy Posner and Jason Baumannhave an exciting auction item — a chance for your dog to be on WCIU, The U, in a TV commercial! For more, visit www.chicagowingmadness.com.

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