 |
|
 |
|
|
By Lauren E. Colao
10/30/2009
|
|
NEWARK, NJ - The season for giving has arrived, and the seventh annual Concert for Kids to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs in New Jersey was held Wednesday evening, October 28 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). The event started in Newark at 7:30 PM with a short program featuring aspiring talent and success stories of the Boys and Girls Club members.
New Jersey native, and former Saturday Night Live cast member, Joe Piscopo was the Master of Ceremonies. Mr. Piscopo has become a staple of the annual event and offered plenty of his humor in a warm and welcoming way.
After the impressive youth performances by Najee Brieyanna Wilson and Haley Alexa Grimes, Smokey Robinson, an alumnus of the Boys and Girls Club himself, delighted the audience. His delivery was on point and as smooth as ever. He sang some classics like Ooo Baby Baby, which received one of three standing ovations, and Tracks of My Tears. He also sang songs from the Temptations, Frank Sinatra and even Nora Jones.
Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and is still creating original music. His songs instantly bring adults back to another era, yet his voice is timeless and unique. His latest album, Time Flies When You’re Having Fun, features artists such as Joss Stone, India.Arie and Carlos Santana, which entices a new generation of listeners. Robinson is on Facebook and Twitter, and actively engages with his fans.
Talented and caring as well, he personally went to the Newark Boys and Girls Club the day before the concert. The video can be seen at http://videos.nj.com/star-ledger/2009/10/smokey_robinson_makes_a_specia.html.
Lou Leonardis, creative director at Enzo Creative in Summit, attended the concert. The Alternative Press held a random drawing on its online newspaper site for which Leonardis won tickets. "It was unbelievable to see a musical legend like Smokey Robinson. He truly connects with the audience, even talking directly to young attendees. It is especially interesting to know he collaborates with young artists and is active in the online community," said Leonardis. "I would not be here to see Smokey perform if it weren’t for The Alternative Press and the Boys and Girls Clubs in NJ. My wife and I really enjoyed the entire event."
Proceeds from the concert are to support the Boys and Girls Clubs in New Jersey, specifically the Fund-A-Dream program. This program fosters the talents and interests of the Boys and Girls Club members. The 25 local clubs in New Jersey will benefit from the earnings, and they will provide the encouragement and financial assistance to members in attempts to fulfill their dreams. The children’s stories can be read on the www.bgcnj.org website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
2/9/2010
Westfield Ice Hockey Team Battles Bridgewater to a 3-3 Tie
ROSELLE, NJ – Nick Attanasio scored the game tying goal with 15.9 seconds left off a deflection in front of the Bridgewater net to help the Westfield Blue Devils overcome a 3-2 deficit on....
Continue
|
2/9/2010
The College Report: Westfield’s Katie Morgan Helps TCNJ Defeat Rowan in the Pool
Katie Morgan (Westfield, Jr.) won the 200-yard breaststroke to help The College of New Jersey’s women’s swimming team to a 183-110 victory over Rowan recently. Morgan, out of Westfield High, touched the w....
Continue
|
2/8/2010
Temple Emanu-El’s Lauren Danis Eldernet Project to Present Free Seminars for Local Seniors and their Families
The Lauren Danis Eldernet Project is pleased to announce four upcoming free seminars. These seminars, designed for local seniors and their families, deal with financial planning, caring for aging family members, crisis ma....
Continue
|
2/8/2010
Be My Westfield Valentine: Shop and Dine Downtown Westfield
WESTFIELD, NJ - You’ll want to visit Westfield’s Shopping Dining District this Valentine’s day...but not without your favorite "Honey Bunny".
* Show-up at the all-new Bath....
Continue
|
2/8/2010
The College Report: Summit’s James Johnson Scores Career-High 29 Points
James Johnson (Summit, Sr.) scored a career-high 29 points to power Rutgers-Newark past New Jersey City, 57-39, in men’s basketball in Newark on Saturday. Johnson, a Summit High grad, connected on nine of 1....
Continue
|
2/7/2010
Renowned Tango Masters to Join Westfield Symphony in Spectacular Visual and Musical Collaboration on February 20th
On Saturday, February 20th at 8PM, at Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway, Westfield Symphony Orchestra presents Variations on a Latin Beat, a dazzling display of exciting partnerships presenting virtuoso perfor....
Continue
|
2/6/2010
2010 Susan G. Komen North Jersey Race for the Cure® Scheduled for April 25th; Funds Raised at Last Year’s Race Supported Union County Breast Health Programs
The North Jersey Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® will host its third annual Komen North Jersey Race for the Cure® on Sunday, April 25th in Essex County Branch Brook Park, Newark. The Komen Race for the Cure is t....
Continue
|
2/6/2010
Whole Foods Markets & the T.J Martell Foundation Offer Brownies for Cancer Research & US Troops Overseas
Eight Whole Food Markets in central and northern New Jersey have selected the T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and Aids Research, as recipients of a one-week sale of the store’s homemade brownies.
....
Continue
|
2/6/2010
Hal Benz Joins Keller Williams’ Westfield Office
Harold "Hal" Benz, a trusted and admired real estate sales professional, has joined Keller Williams Realty Premier Properties.
Hal has been a Realtor for the past 7 years and a licensed re....
Continue
|
2/5/2010
Valentine’s Day is Fast Approaching
That magical day is approaching. That one cold day in mid-February when you give your special someone a token of your love and affection, since unloading the dishwasher a....
Continue
|
2/5/2010
Board of Education Candidate’s Filing Deadline: March 1
Westfield residents interested in becoming a candidate for the Westfield Board of Education can obtain petitions at the Board Secretary’s office at 302 Elm Street. Petitions need to be signed and delivered to the Board Se....
Continue
|
2/5/2010
Westfield to Celebrate 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, February 8th
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) celebrates its 100th Anniversary on February 8, 2010, and on that winter night The Town of Westfield, New Jersey will be abuzz at the Westfield High School, inside and out. All the Cub Scou....
Continue
|
2/5/2010
Scotch Plains-Fanwood Hangs on to Beat Westfield, 57-54; Dougher and Nelson Combine for 38 Points as Raiders Take Care of Blue Devils at Home
SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ - The Westfield Blue Devils entered Thursday afternoon’s game at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School with a clear objective – stop Charles Oliver. The Raiders’ 6-2 junior guard had poured ....
Continue
|
2/4/2010
The College Report: New Providence’s Jesse Harrington Continues to Ride Herd
Delaware Valley’s Jesse Harrington (New Providence, Jr.), the top-ranked Division 3 wrestler at 157 pounds, earned a 7-3 decision over C....
Continue
|
2/4/2010
Washington Elementary School PTO Stages 62nd Annual Washington School Show in Westfield
WESTFIELD, NJ - This past weekend, a Westfield tradition continued as the Washington Elementary School PTO staged the 62nd annual Washington School Show entitled "Believe". Pr....
Continue
|
2/4/2010
Westfield Town Council Hears of Plans to Update Township’s Website with Safety Alerts
WESTFIELD, NJ - The Westfield Town Council met briefly on Tuesday to vote on various resolutions that had previously been discussed and to address public notices, such as one for pool registration. Primarily, the Co....
Continue
|
2/4/2010
Arthur L. Johnson’s Late Rally Ties Westfield, 5-5; Blue Devils Let Win Slip Away as Crusaders Score with Just 15 Seconds Left in Third Period
ELIZABETH, NJ - The Westfield Blue Devils are one of the area’s top high school hockey teams and for good reason. Entering Wednesday night’s game at Warinanco Park against the Crusaders of Arthur L. Johns....
Continue
|
2/3/2010
Kids on Keys: Exciting, Innovative, Successful Piano Instruction
"Music is a skill, a learning tool, a feeling, a passion. The abilities a child learns through music at an early age, whether it’s a beautiful classic piece or self-discipline and diligence, are skills wh....
Continue
|
2/2/2010
Weichert, Realtors Announces Harvey Tekel Manager of the Year for 2009
Weichert, Realtors announced Harvey Tekel of the Westfield office was named Manager of the Year for the region for 2009. The award recognizes and honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional management skills and ....
Continue
|
2/1/2010
The College Report: Summit’s Wellington Smith Finds His Way Into Offensive Flow for No. 9 West Virginia
Wellington Smith (Summit, Sr.) found his way into the offensive flow for West Virginia’s men’s basketball team last week as the No. 9 Mountaineers (17-3, 6-2 Big East) defeated DePaul, 62-46, in Chicago on ....
Continue
|
1/31/2010
Union Defeats Westfield, 51-39; Turnovers Haunt Blue Devils, Union Buries Nine Threes to Win on the Road
WESTFIELD, NJ - It was an afternoon that Westfield head boys basketball coach Kevin Everly would love to forget, but even the most optimistic and positive coach would have a hard time putting such a loss behind him. Everly’....
Continue
|
1/30/2010
Temple Emanu-El of Westfield Celebrates 60 Years, February 5th
Temple Emanu-El of Westfield is turning 60 this year! All our welcome as a year of celebrating begins with a birthday party on February 5 at 7:45 p.m. Following our Shabbat Hallelu, a joyous service in song, we will have a Birthday Party th....
Continue
|
1/30/2010
Student Athletes from Rahway, Scotch Plains,
Union, and Westfield Will Be Honored at Union County Hot Stove Awards Dinner, February 14th
The Union County Baseball Association will honor local student athletes for their accomplishments during 2009 and will induct four new members into the Union County Baseball Hall of Fame during award ceremonies on Sunday,....
Continue
|
1/29/2010
Westfield Woman, Leslie Boughner, Indicted for August 2009 Accident
A Union County Grand Jury handed up an indictment against a Westfield woman on Thursday, said Prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow.
Leslie D. Boughner DOB: 8/27/1953 was indicted on two counts of 2nd and 3rd Degre....
Continue
|
1/28/2010
In DC, Westfield Students Take Their Voices to Congress; High Schoolers Visit Capitol Hill to Advocate on Health Care, Israel, Environment and More
34 Reform Jewish high school students from Temple Emanu-El Westfield joined more than 250 teenagers from across the country to Washington, D.C., where they voiced their opinions on social and political issues to their mem....
Continue
|
View Westfield past stories » |
|
|
|
|
|