"SMOOTH SAILING" ROCKS THE BOAT WITH JACK AND JILL!

Over 300 people danced the night away aboard the World Yacht on Saturday, May 3, 2008 with members of The North Jersey Chapter of Jack and Jill at their "Smooth Sailing" benefit gala. With retro-tunes spinning by NJ's own "JJ", a sumptuous late night supper, and a fabulous silent and live auction, the members of this organization raised funds for the Greater Newark Charter School and Communication for Social Change. Event co-chairs Cathy Garrison and Monique Pryor along with committee members Angela Adderley, Regina Bey, Charlynne Carson, Tanya Carter, Tracy Flowers, Joanne Freeman, Kim Fusaro, and Flora Taylor, created a delightful evening of fun that is still the talk of the town!

HOMECorp Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Bonnie Carter, President of the Junior League of Montclair-Newark and auctioneer for the evening poses with HOMECorp's Executive Director, Beverly Riddick.

According to my colleague at http://www.theblacksocialite.blogspot.com/, to be a socialite one must volunteer often and work very hard. Well, that's what fifteen other very committed women and I did throughout the Fall which culminated in a wonderful event for HOMECorp of Montclair. On March 13th over 250 people attended the HOMECorp 20th Anniversary Gala at Mayfair Farms in West Orange. There was a live auction (Bonnie Carter, president of the Junior League of Montclair-Newark, was the auctioneer extraordinaire!!), silent auction, and wonderful video which showcased the organization. HOMECorp provides affordable housing for low and middle income residents of Montclair which seems oxymoronic but between the cost of homes/apartments and the taxes-HOMECorp is in need more now than ever. To find out more about HOMECorp, check out www.homecorp.org.

Jazz Ensemble Raises Money for Spelman

The Spelman College Jazz Ensemble performed at the Alexander Kasser Theater at Montclair State University on March 15 to raise scholarship funds for New Jersey students who attend Spelman. The event was sponsored by the Northern New Jersey Chapter of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College of which my cousin soror Candace Pryor (soon to become Candace Pryor Brown) is a member. Thank you Candace for the pics and for your chapter's hard work and persistence in raising funds for our girls!

Montclair Art Museum Celebrates Jazz for Art Education

Jazz for Art Education Committee Members gather for photo

Guests enjoy the evening at MAM!

Jazz for Art committee members Betty Jagoda Murphy, Rhonda Peters, Richard Titus (background) Claire Walls and MAM supporter Sigrid Gabler

Co-Chairs Michael Heningburg and Jeanine Downie address the crowd

Guests enjoying the evening

Kuae and Tedd Mattox greet Adunni and Herman Anderson

MAM supporters Terri Borden, Tammye Jones, and Joyce Wade

Bahir Kamil, Esq., Dr. Ruby Sampson, and Adunni Anderson

MAM Executive Director Patterson Sims, The Honorable Nina Wells, MAM Emeritus Trustee Nathaniel Harris, and Jazz for Art committee member Sharon Burton-Turner

MAM supporter Paula Tuffin, Junior League of Montclair President Bonnie Carter, and Co-Chairs Dr. Jeanine Downie and MAM Trustee Michael Heningburg

Despite last Friday's snow storm, cocktails and tapas flowed at The Montclair Art Museum's signature winter event Jazz for Art Education. Co-chaired by Museum Trustee Michael Heningburg, Jr. and his wife Dr. Jeanine Downie, this successful event gave guests the opportunity to bid on exclusive auction packages and listen to world-renowned jazz artists Claudio Roditi and Dave Valentin. Montclair's own accomplished jazz musicians Steve and Iqua Colson also performed, and Dr. Ruby Sampson of South Orange serenaded the audience as well.

In addition to raising funds for various art programs, Jazz for Art Education celebrated the accomplishments of New Jersey's Secretary of State The Honorable Nina Wells for her longstanding support of art education and cultural organizations throughout the state.

To find out more about how you can become more involved with art education programs at MAM, log onto http://www.montclairartmuseum.org/. The photos are courtesy of Mike Peters whose work you can view at http://www.mikepeters.com/ .

Plainfield Kappas Celebrate 20th Anniversary!

Nupes enjoy their 2006 formal

Singing sensation Regina Belle !

If you haven't heard, the Plainfield Nupes are hosting a 20th anniversary celebration at the New Brunswick Hyatt this April which will feature the incredible singing sensation (and Rutgers Grad!) Regina Belle. Just click on the ad above for more information and more great pics of their 2006 event as well.

11th Annual Montclair Red Cross Gala

375 guests attended the very popular Montclair Glen Ridge Nutley Red Cross Gala at Mayfair Farms on February 9th. Journalist and Montclair resident Mary Alice Williams was the presenter and auctioneer and Yogi and Carmen Berra were the honorary chairs. Pictured above is the extraordinary baked goods guru Miss Nicky (http://www.missnickys.com/) Mesiah with the legendary Yogi Berra and her friend Joel , and once again with make up maven Bobbi Brown. Interested in donating to The Red Cross? Click here http://montclair.redcross.org/ .

ALPHA PHI ALPHA HOSTS ANNUAL BLACK AND GOLD BALL

Alpha Phi Alpha member Mark Hassell and his wife Dayna

Alpha Brother Mark Hassell and his lovely wife Dayna hosted a table of ten at the annual Black and Gold Ball given by the Montclair Alumni Chapter. Guests of the Hassells were Al and Margaret Marshall, Gabrielle and Greg Smith, Nat and Angela Adderley, and Cynthia Bailey-Manns and Michael Manns. The event was held at The Manor in West Orange.