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Monday, October 1, 2007
Warrick Dunn, Model Citizen
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Is there a nicer guy than Warrick Dunn?
The big-hearted Falcons running back hosted the fifth annual gala benefiting his foundation at the Westin Buckhead Monday night. (Stay tuned for photos, coming soon!)
The Warrick Dunn Foundation’s “Homes for the Holidays” program has assisted 69 single mothers and 181 children and dependents to achieve first-time homeownership, as of May.
The program honors the memory of Dunn’s mother, Betty, a Baton Rouge police officer killed in the line of duty when Dunn was a teenager.
“I would like to thank my mom,” Dunn said during remarks to the crowd Monday night. “She’s the most important person in my life.”
Before the gala, which featured a fashion show starring Dunn and several of his teammates, he mingled with a smaller crowd at the Palm, where his cariacture has joined the wall of fame.
“I just hope they don’t take it down,” he joked, after adding his signature. “I may request a table in that area, so I can look at myself while I eat.”
The crowd at the pre-bash bash included R&B artist Ne-Yo, his manager Tango and branding agent Bytuah Gonsahn; Spanx rep Misty Elliott and a slew of folks from Publix, one of the sponsors for the evening, including Lisa Clarke, Bridgid O’Connor and Tanya Coleman.
Upstairs, Dunn welcomed Sheronda Anthony, a 2006 Homes for the Holidays Atlanta recipient, along with her daughter Shontika.
“They have been absolutely great to us,” said a beaming Anthony, adding that she married earlier this year.
Spotting the groom in the audience, Dunn quipped, “You might have to pay me back!”
After a dazzling performance by electric violinist Ken Ford, it was time for the fashionable Falcons to take the stage.
Alge Crumpler seemed especially at home on the catwalk, blowing kisses and lifting his shirt to showcase his physique. Jerious Norwood struck all kinds of poses and Michael Jenkins took off his cap and bowed.
Keith Brooking and Adam Jennings also hammed it up a little, while Brian Finneran drove the ladies wild by taking off his jacket and slinging it over his shoulder before strolling down the runway.
The loudest applause, of course, was for Dunn, as handsome as he is humble.
Fever: Heating Up Atlanta’s Social Scene
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
No, not the nightclub Fever. That’s the bailiwick of my colleague David Graves, the AJC’s Leisure guy.
We’re talking about the Latin American Association’s 19th annual Latin Fever Ball “Caribe! Ritmo, Sabor y Sol.” We hear the Sept. 22 bash, held at the InterContinental in Buckhead, was quite the scene, with revelers shakin’ it until 2 in the morning.
The fun crowd included Paul and Claudia Raines, who were co-chairs and Aida Perez Flamm, attending with husband Allan Flamm, served as honorary chair. The bash raised more than $200,000 for Latin American Association programs and services.
Happy Birthday Justice Clarke
Former Chief Justice Harold G. Clarke, celebrating the big 8-0, was honored by his family, friends and a slew of business, government, legal and political leaders at the Forest Golf Club in Forsyth County on on Sept. 30.
The well-wishers included Mr. and Mrs. George Berry, retired Senior Vice President of Cousins Properties; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Dalton, of Troutman Sanders; Former Chief Justice Norman S. Fletcher; former Sen. and Mrs. David Gambrell; Presiding Justice Carol W. Hunstein; Justice and Mrs. Willis B. Hunt; Georgia Law Associate Dean Paul M. Kurtz; Frank Love, Jr., retired partner with Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy; Justice and Mrs. Hugh P. Thompson; and Georgia Veteran Affairs Commissioner Pete Wheeler.
Justice Clarke is a former justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, and has worked with Troutman Sanders LLP in Atlanta, Georgia. Appointed to the Georgia Supreme Court by Governor George Busbee in December 1979, he was elected Chief Justice in 1990 and served on the court until his retirement in February 1994.
Prior to his judicial appointment, Justice Clarke was a member of the Georgia General Assembly from 1961 to 1971. While in the General Assembly, Justice Clarke served as chairperson of the Local Affairs Committee, the Industry Committee, the Journals Committee, and the Constitutional Commissions Committee. Justice Clarke is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the Georgia State Bar, of which he served as President from 1976 to 1977. Justice Clarke is a graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law.
Fund-raiser for furred friends
The best Christmas ever was the year S.B.’s husband went to our local animal shelter and asked, “Who’s been here the longest?” We now have two cats, the one he adopted that day and one that adopted us a few months later.
So I’m happy to tell you about the Spay/Neuter Action Coalition of Georgia’s upcoming fund-raiser, hosted by Gwinnett County Sheriff Butch Conway.
It’s from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 6 at Jungle Jump Adventures, 4667 Thompson Mill Road, Buford. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door for adults, $10 for kids. The admission price includes hors d’oeuvres and two drink tickets for adults, and pizza and juice pouches for the kids.
The event benefits two low-cost spay/neuter clinics and will help Gwinnett County Animal Control pay for vaccinations, microchipping, collars and ID tags for pets adopted there. Info: 678-714-2467, www.junglejumpadventures.com.
Speaking of pets and Christmas …
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the weekends of October 13-14 and 20-21, the Atlanta Humane Society will host the 19th annual “Pets With Santa” photo event at its location at 981 Howell Mill Road.
For $25, participants receive a professional portrait sitting, then can order digital prints online or receive a roll of 12 photos on 35mm film to be developed where they choose. Proceeds benefit the Atlanta Humane Society. For information call 404-875-2600, Ext. 238, or see www.atlantahumane.org.
Fabulous Fernbank fete, featuring frogs
Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s annual Rainforest Rendezvous gala, themed “A Timeless Affair,” is Oct. 6 in the museum’s Great Hall.
This year’s co-chairs include Dr. William Torres, Georgia Schley Ritchie, Margaret Seitter and D. Jack Sawyer Jr. Marie and Brad Foster hosted the Sept. 24 patron party.
The corporate chair is Edward S. Heys Jr., and the host committee chairs are Fernbank trusteesJennifer and David Kahn. The presenting sponsors include Mellon Private Wealth Management group and ,b>VIP, LLC, in honor of Joey Schultz. The ball will honor Mary and Jack Izard. Patron levels begin at $1,200. Information: 404-929-6371, www.fernbankmuseum.org.
Don’t forget …
The Junior League of Atlanta’s fourth annual Charity Ball is 8 p.m. to midnight Oct. 12 at the Foundry at Puritan Mill, 916 Lowery Blvd. Tickets start at $90. Info: www.jlatlanta.org.
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