Happy days are here again. The kids are back to school. It was a long hot summer—good but hot. There were many moments when tears were shed, because many of those we love passed on to the next dimension. May their souls rest in peace, while their spirits live on in the hearts of family, friends and loved ones.
Most appropriately, that sentiment is also extended to those who lost their lives on 9/11, with continued condolences to families and friends who also continue to mourn. Lest we never forget, may we always remember. I can’t imagine anyone not having a somber moment on Sept. 11. Yet, what happens once the day is over? Is it back to life as usual? Well yes, it has to be. But what can we, as individuals, do to make life just a little bit better?
There is a current trend that I have noticed over the past few years that really disturbs me. I am sure it has happened to all of us, but what I can’t figure out is when did it begin, and will it ever end? “What is it already?” you scream. It occurs when a person has an inquiry—it can be about anything. In seeking a reply, if the answer is, “Yes,” all is well, but if the answer is, “No,” then you just don’t receive a reply of any sort and your request goes into oblivion. And you are left bewildered, not knowing, clueless, with no more information then you previously had. The premise for this lack of response is simple: If you don’t get a response, reply, confirmation or an answer, then there is nothing further to say, and take it to mean the answer is “No.” How rude. Understandably, someone who gets hundreds of inquiries can’t possibly reply to them all. Yet, there has to be some sort of protocol, such as a form letter, automated email or something, anything to acknowledge the person on the other end does exist. Wasn’t that the way it used to be?
Not being rude at all were the 280 people who gathered at the City Parks Foundation’s annual CityParks Tennis Benefit, chaired by Billie Jean King. The event, which was held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, raised a record-breaking $356,800 for CityParks Tennis, a free youth instructional program that serves more than 7,000 children in parks throughout New York City each season. Tamila Latif-Zade, a 17-year-old City Parks Foundation LACOSTE Junior Tennis Academy player, received the 2016 Billie Jean King Junior Achievement Award. Latif-Zade, who hails from Brooklyn, joined the academy program at age 10. She graduated this year from Truman High School in the Bronx, where she played No. 1 on the school’s tennis team. Latif-Zade spent this past summer teaching tennis at Hampton Racquet, and earned a spot as a ball girl for the 2016 US Open. Did you see her? She will attend Kingsborough Community College this fall.
Among those in attendance were NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver, President of the USTA Katrina Adams, City Parks Foundation Board Member Roland Merchant, Renauld White, Edwin Moses with his signed May 2016 Wheaties box for auction, honoree Anthony (Tony) Mitchel and Taaj Jaharah.
CityParks Tennis is a City Parks Foundation program that brings high-quality tennis instruction and equipment into NYC neighborhoods. The program teaches tennis basics to kids aged 5-17, while providing opportunities for advancement through multiple levels of progressively challenging instruction. These tennis programs are offered in 39 parks, reaching more than 7,000 kids each year. Participants compete in tournaments and train in special US Open clinics with tennis legends Billie Jean King, John McEnroe, Murphy Jensen, Virginia Wade and others. CityParks Tennis also offers a year-round, intermediate training program with more advanced coaching for a select group of talented and dedicated players, providing tournament opportunities with the goal of earning college scholarships and USTA rankings. City Parks’ programs and community building initiatives, located in more than 300 parks, recreation centers and public schools across the city, reach almost 425,000 people each year. For more details visit www.cityparksfoundation.org.
You will be glad to know that the Prostate Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization, hosted its annual gala at the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill, N.Y., and that the event’s Challenge Research Award raised more than $3.5 million in support of the foundation’s work.
The gala was hosted in support of the 12th Annual Charles Evans PCF Pro-Am Tennis Tournament. The night of dining and dancing featured special musical performances by Grammy award-winning singer Dianne Reeves, double-platinum recording artist Billy Idol and nationally recognized pop vocal group The Company Men, with a special performance by Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health. Michael Milken, founder of the Prostate Cancer Foundation, took the stage to introduce a video highlighting the foundation’s progress and its aim to make prostate cancer a thing of the past. After the video, PCF’s president and chief executive officer, Dr. Jonathan W. Simons, addressed the audience on the progress in gene research and how it has made it possible to identify the genetic drivers behind the disease, in the fight against not only prostate cancer but also all types of cancer.
What would a gala be without a live auction? Nothing. And so a live auction was held to support young scientists. Attendees were asked to donate $75,000 per year to support the research of young scientists of their choosing, in the fight against prostate cancer. Making an appearance and a statement was Mitch Modell, who presented the foundation with a check for $141,000 on behalf of Modell’s Sporting Goods and all of its customers. It really was a fun evening with plenty of singing as everyone tried their best to bring light to such a somber subject. All of the evening’s proceeds went to supporting groundbreaking discoveries in cancer research. Not rude at all.
Until next week … kisses.