Weekend Wow! – Legendary Dr. Margaret T. Burroughs, revered artist, educator, author, civic leader and co-founder of the DuSable Museum, will be honored when the Chicago Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority presents “Gallery D’E
Weekend Wow! – Legendary Dr. Margaret T. Burroughs, revered artist, educator, author, civic leader and co-founder of the DuSable Museum, will be honored when the Chicago Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority presents “Gallery D’Estee 2008,” a weekend of artistic expression, exposure and excitement” on Feb. 29, 7 p.m.–10 p.m., and March 1, 2 p.m.–8 p.m. The 6th annual free art exhibit will be held at the chapter’s headquarters, 4525 S. King Drive.
Additionally, Felicia Grant Preston, one of Chicago’s most illustrious fine artists, will be featured and other artists whose lithographs, pastels, oils, sculptures and photographs will be on exhibit for the two-day celebration include the following: Samuel Akinyah, Andre Guichard, Marva Jolly, Tamara Natalie Madden, Tony Smith, Abiola Akintola, Laurel Duplessis, Debra Hand, Jason E. Jones, Joyce Owens, Tony Wade, Floyd Atkins, Frank Frazier, Bruce Jefferson, Adedayo Laoye, Deborah Shederick, Alice Gatewood Waddell, Stacey Brown and Gerald Grifffin. Coordinating this annual art extravaganza is the Arts & Letters Committee, chaired by Linda Murray and Pamela Hamb. Expectations for the ’08 event are even higher than last year’s record breaker in attendance and sales. “Gallery D’Estee” continues to be the must attend showing of the year, says LaVerne Weatherly, chapter president.
Newsy Names – Congrats to award-winning actress and playwright Regina Taylor, Goodman Theatre Co.’s distinguished artistic associate, who won the prestigious NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series, so named for her portrayal of Molly Blane in the hit CBS series, The Unit. Regina, gorgeous in bright red, was escorted to the live 39th annual televisedshowcase in Beverly Hills, Calif. by bon vivant Les Coney, vice president of Meisrow Financial Corp., and former Goodman board chair.
A fave pal, Atty. Jerome Butler, chief operating officer at the Ill. Dept. of Human Services and former Chicago Defender vice president, has perhaps embarked on a brand new career. Butler provided the “voice over” for the video presentation “Can You Believe?” at the Chicago Urban League’s Annual Report Luncheon at the Sheraton-Chicago.
Jackie Taylor, Black Ensemble Theatre’s founder and executive director, receives the Lifetime Achievement Award at “Showtime 2008,” a celebration of Chicago theater, on March 31 at the Auditorium Theatre hosted by the League of Chicago Theatres. The evening includes gourmet dining, dancing on the historic stage, performances by top Chicago stars, comedy by "Second City" actors, amazing auction prizes (vacations, theatre tickets, jewelry and celebrity access). Call (312) 554-9800 for info.
Illinois Senate President and Mrs. Emil Jones (she’s Dr. Lorrie Stone) won first place steppin’ dance contest honors at Schoop Elementary School’s Class of ’49 reunion party at the Double Tree Hotel in Alsip. We hear they were steppin’ like a couple of teenagers. Schoop is Prez Jones’ alma mater.
William “Bill” Williams, vice president of the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau and a Chicago Rat Packer, heads to the Democratic National Convention this summer as a Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) delegate after voters gave him a winning nod.
The Million Pound Challenges’ Dr. Ian K. Smith, health/diet expert, author, media personality and State Farm spokesman, is the “cover guy” on the current issue of "Urban Influence," the mag that targets the business, community and urban lifestyle.
And inside: his “Wake-Up Call to Action,” designed to help Black America lose more than weight. The Nation of Islam’s Min. Louis Farrakhan delivers his annual Saviors’ Day message, “The Gods at War: The Future Is All About Y.O.U.T.H. (Youth Organized & United to Help)” on Sunday, 2 p.m., at McCormick Place. Admission: $20, $50, $100. Doors open at noon.
Milestones – Happy golden anniversary to Davis and Roberta Fair who celebrated 50 years of togetherness on Saturday, repeating 1958 marriage vows during a mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica Catholic Church followed by a lovely dinner in the church hall. The retired duo’s family and friends from Arkansas, Nevada, Georgia and other far away locales came for the lovely affair.
Condolences to the family of Jesse Davis, 75, of Matteson, a retired 23-year employee with the Chicago Public Schools (a drafting teacher at Englewood High) and a 30-year retiree from the U.S. Postal Service. His service is Thursday at Leak & Sons, 184th and Pulaski (wake, 10 a.m.; funeral, 10:30 a.m.). The graduate of Arkansas AM&N University and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity is survived by his wife, Alsenior, also a retired teacher; daughter, Dr. Valeria Davis; and son, Andre.
Some 200 folks stopped by Montgomery Place on Saturday to celebrate the 108th birthday of Ethel B. Darden, oldest living Alpha Kappa Alpha soror, oldest living Wiley College alum and oldest Montgomery Place resident. Among special guests: Barbara Carter of Dallas, an AKA and Wiley grad, area AKAs along with former students and parents from Howalton Day School where “the birthday girl” taught for many years. Coordinating the soiree: Josie Childs, Ralph Metcalfe Jr., Jocelyn DiPasalegne and Theresa Knighten. Oops! Happy belated b’day to Maurice McNeil, retired Kennedy-King English professor.
Money Matters – Hats off to The Sutton Auto Team of south suburban Matteson who donated $100,000 to DuSable Museum on Saturday during its annual fundraiser, “A Night of 100 Stars,” which honored Barbara Bowles, founder of The Kenwood Group; Jim Lowry, president of The Boston Group; Dr. James Bowman, University of Chicago Hospital pathologist who specializes in genetics; Bill LaMar, McDonald Corp. vice president; and Reuben Cannon, casting pioneer and president of Tyler Perry Studios. Also, the Law Firm of Freeborn & Peters LLC gave $5,000 to the museum during the charity extravaganza chaired by Abe Thompson. ABC 7’s Hosea Sanders and Roz Varon were emcees.
Podium Power – Judge Timothy Evans, chief judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, keynoted the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Area Project, at the Chicago Symphony Center. Judge Evans, noted for making innovative and compassionate changes to the court system, has been appointed administrator of the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. “I come hat in hand,” he said. “I need your help. There are wonderful things we can do at that detention center.” Also present: David E. Whittaker, CAP’s executive director; Andrea Zopp, board chair; Margaret Watts, Hallie Amey, Dr. Alma E. Buckner, John Box, Tom James and Steven Tomashefsky.
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