Last Saturday East Side House Settlement hosted the first ever Family Jam at Camp Jeep – an action packed morning of family fun and off-road adventure at the New York International Auto Show. Guests a.k.a “explorers,” “adventurers,” and “campers” enjoyed exclusive access to the 50,000 square foot private tent which included a hair-raising Trail-Rated Jeep driving course, a mini jeep course for kids, a 16’ rock climbing wall, video gaming stations, and much more. The highlight of the 7-minute long Jeep course was the white-knuckle 35º climb up and descent down Jeep Mountain. Mud, Sweat and Gears, they called this event.

Along with the tons of rocks, boulders, and gravel were balloon artists, face painters, temporary tattoo artists, a live Sirius DJ, and popcorn and ice-cream stands. For campers needing to re-fuel, there was a brunch served throughout the morning including fun hot chocolate and smoothie bars. Tickets to the event also included an exclusive one-hour private preview of the entire auto show before it opened to the general public. The premiere event was chaired by Faith Coolidge, Elizabeth Fuller, Juliette Janssens, and Joan Young.

The benefit committee included: Libby and Chris Abelt, Peggy and Keith Anderson, Drs. Darrick and Lisa Antell, Fern and Jim Babchack, Lucinda Ballard, Wendy and Vince Cebula, Andrea de Cholnoky and Scott Wilson, Mary DelMonico and William Washburn, Tana and Bill Dye, Louise and Alexander Dye, Katherine and William Elder, Dorothy and Richard G. Faux, Jr., Robert Fusco, Karen and Tom Glover, Blakely and Trey Griggs, Georgia Ford Griscom, Carolyn Hoogkamp, Cynthia and Stephen Ketchum, Richard and Debra Kolman, Valerie Krieger, John LaSorsa, Beamont and Ben Lett, Christine and Richard Mack, Andrea Markezin and Joel Press, Roxana Mehran and George Dangas, Jennifer and Mark C. Monaco, Michael and Betsy Moreno, Robert Pondiscio, Lindsey and Sam Pryor, Rosemary Ripley, Candida Romanelli, Dr. Laura Ross, Mark Schienberg, Peter and Lenore Standish, Tamara and Randal Stephenson, Matsie Walsh, and Philip and Maria Yang.

Proceeds from the East Side House Settlement Family Jam directly support college scholarships for under-served children at the Mott Haven Village Preparatory High School in the South Bronx, within the nation’s poorest congressional district.

Last Tuesday night at The Baryshnikov Arts Center, many of America’s most recognized artists presented Gold and Silver NFAA Awards to 37 young artists from across the nation. Chairs: Madeleine and Micky Arison, Kitty Carlisle Hart, and Ginny Mancini.

Guests included: Lin Arison, Sarah Arison, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Anne Bass, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Kitty Carlisle Hart, John Guare, Jessica Lange, Ramsey Lewis, Ginny Mancini, Rachel Moore, Arnold Newman, Arthur Penn, Sam Shepard, Michael Tilson Thomas, Deborah Voigt, and Debra Winger.

A special performance by a cast of the NFAA ARTS winners was followed by a dinner in honor of the NFAA students.

The spirit of legendary college basketball coach and sports commentator, the late Jim Valvano, returned to New York for the 2nd annual Spirit of Jimmy V New York Gala last Friday at Pier Sixty, where they raised funds for essential cancer research in Valvano’s hometown.

The evening celebrated Valvano’s legacy and his famous “never give up” attitude, paying tribute to two collegiate basketball Hall of Fame coaches: Syracuse Head Coach Jim Boeheim and Connecticut Head Coach Jim Calhoun. Boeheim and Calhoun, both cancer survivors who boldly embody the spirit of The Foundation, are the 2006 Spirit of Jimmy V honorees.

Valvano’s friend and popular basketball commentator Dick Vitale delivered the evening’s keynote address. John Saunders, Valvano’s broadcast partner at ABC Sports and ESPN hosted the evening’s festivities which was attended by former Valvano coaching and broadcast colleagues, high profile supporters of The V Foundation, and many sports personalities.

Hollywood recording artist Josh Kelley provided the evening’s live entertainment, performing songs from his critically acclaimed album ALMOST HONEST. Presenting Sponsor was the Xerox Corporation. To learn more about the Jimmy V foundation, visit their website: www.jimmyv.org.

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