Teesee's Town

Teesee's Town

Count-Down -- Patricia Langhart, president of Jesse Owens Foundation's Women's Board, and Marlene Owens Rankin, executive director, are counting the days to "Chicago Style, Second to None," Saturday's luncheon/fashion show at The Drake Hotel in the Gold Coast Room. The benefit begins with an 11 a.m. Wine Reception, then it's lunch and the show produced by Susan Glick, the Chicago Apparel Center's fashion guru. Other members heading for the "victory" are Jean Anthony, Edith Bass, Toiya Butler, Debra Cotton, Ruth Coleman, Nazaris DeVine, Saundra Dougherty, Janice Evans, Linda Evans, Lyndia Gray, Gwen Harden, Cheryl Holland Strong, Harriette Johns, Carol Johnson, Rose Jourdain, Loretta McCall, Deveeree Morgan, Karen Moses, Anna Osborne, Gwen Ritchie, Lucille Russell, Judi Simmons, Laurel Stradford, June Tate- Coffee, Sallie Townsend, Angela Williams, Rita Wilson and May Womack. Add to the roster the other Owens girls, Gloria Owens Hemphill and Beverly Owens Prather. Proceeds will support JOF's scholarship and grant programs, from which over 200 young people have been subsidized and hundreds more have benefited from collaborative programs with other youth-serving organizations.

Milestone Mention -- Well, 22 years ago "Teesee's Town" chronicled the birth of Justin Miles Butler. Now, it's time for another "milestone mention." The handsome son of Jeanne Brothers Butler and Atty. Jerome M. Butler graduates from Hampton College (in Hampton, Virginia) Saturday with a degree in Political Science. What a lovely Mother's Day gift!

Newsy Names -- Illinois Service Federal's Thelma Smith addresses Kennedy-King College's 482-member graduating class on Saturday, May 19, at Christ Universal Temple ... Send get well wishes to Charles E. "Chuck" Curry, beloved lifetime president of The Rat Pack and board chair of Westside Association of Community Action (WACA), in Little Company of Mary Hospital, room 3369 ... Happy birthday to eta's head honcho Abena Joan Brown, co-founder, president and producer ... We hear Rev. Frederick D. Haynes, pastor of Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas, is planning to sue for the unauthorized use of his name, sermon and voice in promoting "Why Did I Get Married," the stage play opening tonight (Tuesday) at the Regal Theatre.

Magic Music -- Multi-talented Corky McClerkin, pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader, celebrates the release of his latest CD, "Island of Dreams," tomorrow (Wednesday), 6 p.m., at HotHouse. On the music scene since the late 60's, Corky performed often with his mentor, Von Freeman, from 1970-75. The McClerkin CD is "a celebration of the versatility of African American music." Stop by, it's free! ... Kenwood Academy's Music Dept., co-chaired by Kenneth Lenon and William McClellan, stages its Annual Spring Arts Festival on two consecutive Fridays, May 11 (choral concert) and May 18 (band concert). Also contributing to the success of the Festivals are faculty instructors Barbara Metcalf and Janet Underwood.

Saturday Ceremony -- Congratulations to Linda Elaine Doss, who received a master of arts in education degree on Saturday during commencement exercises at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill. Elaine's proud mom is none-other-than Rose Marie, the 67-year-old self-proclaimed "senior shake dancer" and comedienne, known for her bizarre and colorful shorter-than-short daily wardrobe.

Family Affair -- Poet/author Gayle Purnell hosts Saturday's Adult Poetry Slam, noon-2 p.m., at Rita and Jawanza Kunjufu's African American Images, 95th and Winchester. Same time, same place, a Children's Poetry Slam will be hosted by April Preyar. (The "slams" meet every second Saturday.)

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