Party Hearty!–That time of the year is fast approaching! It’s when Carter Russell celebrates his birthday. And it’s always to benefit the women and children who find safe haven at Clara’s House. Carter is the major domo of Carter R
To Health!–“Reaching Out to Check You Out,” a community health fair sponsored by Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church and Lambda Pi Alpha Sorority’s Beta Mu Chapter, is Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at 7851 S. Jeffery in the school’s lower level. On tap: free child immunizations and physicals (parents, please bring child’s shot records), Blue Cross and Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles; screenings for blood pressure, diabetes and prostate; fun activities for kids, door prizes, and lectures on HIV, poisons in the home, senior safety and how to perform self-breast exams.
Sing-Song–The World International Children Choir (39 orphaned and disadvantaged youngsters from Guatemala, Uganda and Nepal) perform at The Lighthouse Church of All Nations, 4501 W. 127th St. in suburban Alsip on Sunday, 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and noon to raise awareness to the plight of homeless and orphaned children all over the world. Each concert includes powerful testimonies of personal experiences, several songs in both English and native dialects and a video presentation of footage of the children’s home countries. The Lighthouse Church, led by Pastor Dan Wills, host of the Emmy winning Inspiration Sensation, is a 2,000-member non-denominational church whose congregation represents over 58 nationalities. For more information, call Renee Bradley, (773) 968-5777, (708) 385-6020 or email reneebradley@yahoo.com. Party Hearty!–That time of the year is fast approaching! It’s when Carter Russell celebrates his birthday, and it’s always to benefit the women and children who find safe haven at Clara’s House. Carter is the major domo of Carter Russell Music LLC, a full-service marketing and promotions company that focuses on music, sports and comedy. This 19th annual fundraiser, which traditionally attracts wall-to-wall partygoers and avid supporters, is Friday, 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m., at Transit, 1431 W. Lake St. in the trendy West Loop area. Benefit donation: only $35.
Co-hosts: The Dells’ Chuck Barksdale, WGCI’s Bionci Foxx and Tony Sculfield, V103’s Joe Soto, Ramonski Luv, Troi Tyler and Herb Kent and WBEZ’s Richard Steele. Planning committee members: Merry Green, Mr. and Mrs. John Hall Jr., Christye Hurley, Kenneth Johnson and Jerome Simmons. Come hungry as tasty treats for the roving buffet come from the kitchens of Cafe 28, Cafe Bionda, Gibson’s Steakhouse, Club Lago, cuatro, La Luce, Wishbone and Reggie’s Live.
Additional donors: Avec, Bolingbrook Golf Club, Catch 35, Chicago Firehouse, Costa’s Greek Dining, The Gage, Grace O’Malley’s, Harborside International Golf Center, Lakeside Bank, Lloyd’s, Morton’s, O Part Thai House, Rick Cooper Music, House of Blues, The Seneca, W Chicago Lakeshore, Weather Mark Tavern, Westin Michigan Ave. and West Town Tavern. Mike James and Shady Brady are guest DJs, and first-hour libations at this after-work set are hosted by Southern Wines and Spirits and Moet & Chandon. Call (312) 567-1123 for more party info.
Dance of Differences–Dancers gliding in wheelchairs, balancing on pointe and leaping in the air will be showcased when Alana Wallace, the reigning “Ms. Wheelchair of America,” and Dance>Detour present “We All Matter,” an artistic celebration of differences, on Friday, 7 p.m., in the Harold Washington Library’s Pritzer Auditorium. (Enter at 401 S. Plymouth Ct.) Three works will be premiered. Guest artists: Nura Aly, Homer Hans Bryant, Rohina and Imari Salers. Among supporters: Ill. Arts Council, Chicago Dept. of Cultural Affairs, Ill. Dept. of Human Services and The Renaissance Women. Donation: $25. Call (312) 225-8824.
Founded in ‘95, Dance>Detour is a professional “diverse abilities” company dedicated exclusively to the art of integrated dance and collaborations that include dancers with and without disabilities. Through creative and groundbreaking performances, workshops and demonstrations, the nonprofit company provides an opportunity to see that performers with disabilities exist and have important contributions to make to the arts.
Dance>Detour grounds its work in the diversity of its dancers by celebrating their physical, ethnic, generational, cultural and artistic differences. Over 12 years, it has embraced the philosophy that “Everyone Can Dance” regardless of their individual and varying range of physical abilities. Its repertoire includes classical, jazz and African.
And They’re Off!–Jonquil Byers and Irma Denton, chairs of Rat Pack Women’s Support Group, with some assistance from Bill Ritchie and Al Palmer, are readying for their annual Day at the Races on Saturday at the Turf Club of Hawthorne Race Course, 3501 S. Laramie. Proceeds benefit the Charles E. Curry Foundation. Other members: Geralyn Hopson, Bevely Curry, SylesterWilliams, Maryella Hart, Danielle Daniels, Sandy Davis, Rose Thomas, etc. A $50 donation includes buffet and an afternoon of fun and wagering. Call (773) 235-1020,
Newsy Names–Dr. Olufunmilayo I. Olopade, 51, professor of medicine and human genetics at U of C’s Medical Center and director of the Cancer Risk Center, is among 25 “unstoppable movers and shakers,” from actresses to CEOs, spotlighted in October’s Essence who are as passionate about giving back as they are about making profits.
She’s called an “advocate and pioneer,” women who lead a revolution to save lives and protect the next generation. On the cover: Mo’Nique, fierce, fabulous and full-figured, is guest editor for this issue dedicated to plus-sized women. Inside, the diva reveals her shocking sex abuse secret. “I refuse to be a victim,” she confides to Audrey Edwards, referring to a painful 25-year family secret – one that’s led to a personal and professional breakthrough.
Patricia Hill, Allstate agent at 1811 E. 71st St., has received the agency’s Hands in the Community award for commitment to volunteering and outstanding community service. With the award comes a $500 grant from Allstate Foundation to Monarch Awards Foundation where Hill volunteers.
Antoinette Wright, DuSable Museum’s prez and CEO, receives a special Recognition Award from the Women’s Board of Jackson Park Hospital at its 25th Annual Fall Fashion Show on Sunday at The Drake hotel with chic and stylish fashions from the Apparel Center and the 2008-09 collection from York Furs. Other honorees: Gloria Castillo, president, Chicago United, and Deborah Thomas, executive director, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. Proceeds from the $75 ticket go to the School Based Health Center at South Shore High School, serving 1,700-plus inner-city students and community health education. Call (773) 947-7525.
Kuki Boatwright (Artwerks Community Theatre) presents recording artists, June Yvon and JoAnn Garrett, in “Jazz & Blues: Chicago Style” Thursday at the Velvet Lounge, 67 E. Cermak. Admission: $10; two shows, first one hits at 8 p.m.
Get on the Obama Bus!–The Chicago Network for Black Women for Obama is asking us all to bring a friend and travel with them to the state of Michigan on Saturday to register voters as part of the outreach efforts of U.S. Senator Barack Obama for President Campaign. Free bus transportation departs Saturday at 6 a.m. from Jewel Osco at Wabash and Roosevelt Rd., across from the State/Roosevelt El, a major stop and transfer point on the Red, Green and Orange Lines. Buses return Saturday night. This is an adult outing, but young folk, age 16 and older, are welcome to join and gain valuable, firsthand community organizing experience.
This will be a fun and rewarding experience; no previous voter registration experience is needed, just a passion for meaningful change, a willingness to serve and a good pair of walking shoes. Hurry and e-mail https://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs7ph8. Please provide a contact phone number in the “Comment” section. Yes, we can!
Milestones–Happy b’day to Gloria Corene Jenkins-Harvey, a “fave daughter/niece” and executive director of Westside Association for Community Action, who just celebrated her first wedding anniversary with hubby Richard; to Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., pastor emeritus, Trinity United Church of Christ; V103’s legendary Herb Kent, who celebrates Thursday at the Marmon Grand; Maxine Crenshaw, real estate sales maven, who partied with kinfolks and long-time friendfolks in the Richton Park home of her son, David; Rev. Patrick L. Daymond, pastor, Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church; Diann Burns, veteran TV news anchor; Serena Williams, back on top as the world’s No. 1 female tennis pro; Shell Reyes, jewelry designer and artist/owner of Reyes Gallery on Oak St.; Ouida Pullen Jones, housing specialist; KoKo Taylor, a Chicago blues legend indeed; Will Smith, Shari Belafonte-Harper, Scottie Pippen, look-alike twins Wallace and Walter Scott, of The Whispers; India.Arie, Marilyn McCoo, Cissy Houston, Howard Hewett, Herb Fame, of Peaches & Herb; Patrice Rushen, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Chubby Checker, Ronnie Laws and Rod Carew.
The Rev. Henry O. Hardy, pastor of Cosmopolitan Community Church, has reached year 41 of “preaching the word.” Halleluyer!
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Sisters, if you have not had your yearly mammogram, please do so right away.
P.S. from Teesee–If you are currently an unregistered voter but plan/intend to vote in the Nov. 4 Presidential Election, you must register by Oct. 7.
Now, if it occurs to you to do neither, please check “The Great Black Vote” on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcCXv3gBAwc or the homepage. Pass and/or forward it on!
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