Christmas
Carats – Lauren Williams Gore, president of the Chicago Chapter of The Carats
Inc., and 16 of her sister members are only days away — and counting! — from
their annual “Dine and Dance The Night Away” celebration of Christmas on
Saturday at the prestigious downtown Union League Club. Joining Lauren (BTW
this scribe’s fav-o-rite God daughter) as hostesses of the “black tie” affair
are Sandra L. Few, the organization’s national president, and Barbara E.
Pinder, its national secretary.
The 15-chapter group is
comprised of more than 350 distinguished and accomplished women who are
dedicated to community service and charitable giving initiatives. Their
mission: to promote civic, educational and social involvement in local
communities and to contribute annually to a local charity in the city of one of
its chapters.
Other Windy City “glam
gals” hosting the complimentary evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dancing
and fun are Jacqueline Triche Atkins, Dorothy Avant, Tracey Alston, Stephanie
Cole, Carolyn Kidd Harper, Beatrice Haynes, Paula Jones, Willie Legardy,
Antoinette McAllister, Carlotta McCoy, Sherby McCrowey, DeLois Mix, Deveeree
Morgan, Carol Sagers, Norma Sanders, Rita Wilson and Gwendolyn West.
Saturday
Special – Now, earlier on Saturday, members of the South Suburban
Chicago Chapter of The Links Inc. (“Linked in Friendship; Connected in
Service”) led by Joyce A. Carter, president, will come together with kin,
friends and loyal supporters to “Get in the Holiday Groove,” at a Luncheon
& Concert at the Odyssey Country Club in south suburban Tinley Park. The
$100 per person green and white invite, which is shaped like a CD and cover and
embellished with Christmas graphics, heralds Con Funk Shun as the event
headliner. Also printed on the CD cover, songs made famous by the group: Ffunny
Ffriends, Love’s Train, Shake and Dance With Me, Chase Me and (Let Me Put) Love
on Your Mind. Nadine Dejohnette chairs, and Michelle Lee-Murrah co-chairs.
The Links Inc.,
founded in 1946, is one of the oldest and largest volunteer service
organizations of African American women committed to enriching, sustaining and
ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other
persons of African ancestry.
Morning Music – Glitz &
Glamour is the suggested morning attire when Southside Friends of Chicago
Sinfonietta host its annual Magical Holiday Breakfast, a fundraiser chaired by
Sharon Scott on Dec. 10, 8:30 a.m.-noon, in Navy Pier’s Crystal Ballroom.
Theme: Lights! Camera! Action! – The Music of Motion Pictures. Program
features: Chicago SInfonietta Classical Ensemble, George Cooper on keyboard;
Deborah Rountree, soprano; Sizzling Strings, Sylvia de la Cerna, a silent
auction and door prizes.
Among other party planners: Renee
Butler, Steve Baskerville, Joyce Grey, Cheri Chappelle, Paul Freeman, Mei-Ann
Chen, Audrey Tuggle, Sheila Tucker, Barbara Wright Pryor, Jacqueline Moore,
Joyce M. Norman, Rita Wilson, Gwendolyn Ritchie and Joyce Occomy Stricklin.
Donations: $2,000, donors’ table of 10; $1,000, benefactor’s table; $750, patron’s
table, and $65 for a single seat. Call (312) 236-3681.
Gold Party – Public
relations guru Tracey Alston (of the Danielle Ashley Group)
celebrates
her golden (50th) b’day on Dec. 10., 6:30-11 p.m., at DuSable Museum while
raising funds for alzheimer’s, a disease from which her mom, Freddia Daniel, a
28-year teacher with bachelor’s and a master’s degree, suffers. Tracey is
asking guests to bring a minimum $25 tax-deductible donation (check, cash or
credit card) payable to the Alzeheimer’s Association, the leading global
voluntary health group in alzheimer’s care and support and the largest private
nonprofit funder of Alzheimer research. Black tie is optional; gala attire is
preferred. The night will also include a performance by a surprise artist.
RSVP: Denise Spencer (312) 470-0270, ext. 2006.
Newsy Names – Kenny Johnson, who’s eyeing the 26th
District State Rep.’s seat on the Democratic ballot, will greet potential
sponsors at a fundraiser this Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., at Park 52. Some already on
board: Napoleon Harris, Rick Johnson, Marty King, Spencer and Donna Leak,
Jonathan Jackson, Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd), Ald. Sandi Jackson (7th),
Commissioners Larry Rogers Jr. and Robert Steele ... Lazell Harris, an official
of the American Bridge Ass’n, is inviting “Teesee’s Town” readers to meet new
friends, have fun and enjoy the challenge of playing bridge – “a game for a
lifetime” — at Midwest Bridge Unit, 1420 E. 87th St. (at Dante). Call (773) 375-0422 and speak to whomever
answers about ABA/MBU activities and classes ... Friday evening, radio/TV
personality Bionce’ Fox, along with Reggie Wells, Oprah’s long-time make-up
artist; and Kai Morae of the hit reality show, The Real McCoy, co-host “A
Holiday Beauty Extravaganza: Make-Up & Martinis” at Little Black Pearl Art
& Design Center, 1060 E. 47th St., 6:30-9 p.m. Tickets: $25 ... Happy b’day
to Rev. Willie Taplin Barrow, Rev. Steven Saunders, Effie Rolfe, Michael Woods,
Charles Hobson, Francine Smith, Judy Johnson Barnes, Betty Smith, Sanetta
George Johnson, Carolyn Tucker, Dionne Williams, Rev. John E. Jackson, Barbara
Anderson, Kimberly Stephens, Corey Miller, Pam Love and Mary Swopes.
Celebrate Giving! – The
Calahan Foundation, a not-for-profit, takes on “Celebrating Giving,” a holiday
fundraiser for scholarships, coats and toys, on Friday, 7 p.m., at UIC Forum,
725 W. Roosevelt Rd., spotlighting live performances by Mint Condition &
Avery Sunshine. Admission: $40-$55 or gently used
coats.www.calahanfoundation.org Host: Edric Calahan For more information call
773-723-3079.
Hats Off – to Dr. Willie
Wilson, who has gifted yet another financial blessing on the 77-year-old
Chicago Baptist Institute, 51st and King Dr., during its 30th annual banquet at
Condesa Del Mar. Having just recently assumed the role of CBI’s board chair and
erasing a debt of $200,000, Wilson prevented the institution from being
foreclosed upon by giving another $40,000, bringing his total to $130,000 in
just three-weeks. We hear that some 2,000 guests attended the event, including
Gov. Pat Quinn, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Bobbie Steele,
former Cook County board president; Deborah Sims and Robert Steele, county
commissioners; and Cong. Danny K. Davis.
Also among the
attendees: Justice Joy Cunningham, up for reelection to the Ill. Supreme Court;
Spencer and Henrietta Leak, owners of Leak & Sons Funeral Home dynasty;
Rev. Tyrone Crider and Rev. Leonard DeVille. Dr. Wilson rendered vocals backed
by his 18-piece orchestra, but it was award-winning songstress Vickie Winans
who rocked the house and had guests “dancin’ in the aisles.”
