I am not ashamed to admit that I have self diagnosed World Cup fever. If I can't make it to a t.v, I'm obsessively checking my phone for scores, or when on the computer, have a tab open to espn.com from morning until late afternoon. I have accepted that such will be the case until the last  vuvuzela–albeit irritating– is blown.  And hey, it also provides a little breather from all the "C'mon Lebron" NYC campaigns that has swept this city into a tizzy. So when Steve Nash and his athletic colleagues came out to play for the 3rd annual Showdown in Chinatown charity soccer game this past Wednesday night at Sara D. Roosevelt Park (between Chrystie & Stanton), who was I not to attend?

Steve Nash, two time NBA MVP, is highly recognized for his dynamic role as star point guard for the Phoenix Suns. Off the court, Nash serves the community around him through charity and humanitarian efforts. One of which, is the Steve Nash Foundation. A registered charity both in the US and Canada. His foundation focuses on providing child health services, education, and opportunities for undeserved youths to excel in developmental life skills.

With ample sunlight and a nice gentle breeze, the park was bustling with energy. The game, which was open to the public, drew quite the crowd of sports fans of all kinds to cheer on their favorite players and on the rare occasion heckle a few. Other than Nash himself, participants of the early evening match included:

Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs), Brandon Jennings (Milwaukee Bucks), Jared Dudley (Phoenix Suns), Raja Bell (Phoenix Suns), Anthony Lapaglia (Actor, Without A Trace, CSI), Claudio Reyna (Former USA World Cup team captain), Guiseppe Rossi (Villarreal, Spain), Richie Williams (Assistant coach, NY Red Bulls), Simone Sandri (NBA writer and anlayst), and Marc Stein (ESPN basketball columnist).

The players were divided into two teams and set to play against each other. The "showdown" was definitely on. I have to say it was pretty endearing to see some of the NBA's brightest running around in soccer cleats. Nash and Parker are of course seasoned soccer players, therefore it was no surprise to see their talents translate to the astroturf.

One fellow that definitely surprised me was Nate Robinson. He was really good! I have to say that his foot work was above par, and had so much energy on the field, it's hard to believe he just came off an NBA series. He scored a few goals and even did a front handspring to celebrate. The comradeship was more than apparent and everyone, including the fans, had an enjoyable time. New Orleans Hornets center Emeka Okafor even stopped by to show his support.

All in all, it was a highly successful event, which in turn will enrich the lives of many under served children.

image 1* "showdown in chinatown banner" from stevenash.org

image 2* Steve Nash

image 3* Tony Parker, Brandon Jennings

image 4* Nate Robinson

image 5* fans

image 6* various "showdown" athletes

Wednesday, April 21st: The Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services celebrated it's Annual Spring Benefit, Made in New York, last night at Guastavino's. Over 400 friends and supporters came out to honor JBFCS Board of Trustees Chairman, John A Herrmann, JBFCS Vice President David F. Everett and renowned philanthropist, media and business mogul, Russell Simmons, Co-Founder of Def Jam and the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding.

During cocktail hour, attendees were treated to the outstanding art of Sir Shadow, who creates art through manipulates one-line drawings.

Guests also enjoyed  special music performances organized by Road Recovery, which provides hands-on mentorship training, educational/performance workshops, peer-support networking, and “all access” to real-life opportunities by collaborating with young people to create and present live-concert events, and help them to face their struggles, battle addiction, and other adversities.

JBFCS partnered with Road Recovery to create yet another platform for treating social problems as leaders in the field of human services. JBFCS provides a comprehensive network of mental health and social services to promote well-being, resilience and self-sufficiency for individuals and families in need in the New York metropolitan area.

During the dinner of Oven Roasted Beet Salad and Pacific Halibut, MSNBC's news anchor DeMarco Morgan, introduced David Burstein- former resident of JBFCS's Kaplan House. Burstein arrived at Kaplan House at 17, after being tossed through the foster care system time and time again. With the support of the staff at the Kaplan House, Burstein got back on track and back in school. "Without the support of programs like Kaplan House, kids facing real life challenges will not make it", remarked Burstein.

Executive Vice President & CEO, Paul Levine also addressed the evening’s guests expressing, “Tonight’s event was a success on so many levels. We raised over $800,000 to support our work, we introduced the agency to a whole new audience of supporters, and we celebrated the outcomes of our work by featuring a number of former and current clients who have overcome their not-insignificant struggles with our help. Many of them have gone on to great things. That is what this agency is all about: helping people put their lives back together and succeeding despite the odds. I am extremely proud of what we do.”

SEEN: Russell Simmons and model girlfriend Katie Rost, Rabbi Marc Schneier, WNBC’s DeMarco Morgan, Ralph Lauren model Chris Collins, and socialites Jean Shafiroff, Ann Rapp and Sharon Bush.

*photo 1 courtesy of Patrick McMullan Company/Amber de Vos: Rabbi Marc Schneier, Russell Simmons and Katie Rost

*photo 2 courtesy of James Edstrom: Ralph Lauren model Chris Collins

*photo 3 courtesy of Patrick McMullan Company/Amber de Vos : Tony Mann and Paul Levine

*photo 4 courtesy of Patrick McMullan Company/Amber de Vos : David F. Everett, John A Herrmann and Russell Simmons

Tuesday, April 27th, at the Metropolitan Club, Glimmerglass Opera will honor award-winning filmmaker James Ivory at its 2010 Spring Gala, Fireworks!. The gala will feature vocal pyrotechnics by Anthony Roth Costanzo, the countertenor seen as Francis in Ivory’s film A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries and featured on the soundtrack of Ivory’s The City of Your Final Destination, released in theaters April 16th.

The event will benefit Glimmerglass Opera’s Young American Artists Program, the acclaimed training program for young singers established in 1988, of which Costanzo is an alumnus. The program brings exceptional singers and accompanists in the first stages of their professional careers to study and perform in the creative and demanding atmosphere of Glimmerglass. Young American Artists are chosen annually from more than 700 applicants. The three-month summer program focuses on education through performance, which comes from opportunities to cover and perform appropriate roles in mainstage productions. In addition to performing, Glimmerglass Young Artists receive musical coachings, as well as attend classes and workshops in diction and acting, audition technique and role preparation.

The evening will begin with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres followed by the honors and musical performance. Apres dinner, guests will enjoy dessert and dancing to the Peter Duchin Orchestra.

Ivory has made many acclaimed theatrical feature films in his extensive career, most of which were produced by Merchant Ivory Productions. He is well known for his direction of A Room with a View, Maurice, Howards End, The Remains of the Day, Le Divorce and The White Countess. Ivory has accumulated many honors from Academy Awards to BAFTA film awards. He has been awarded the Directors Guild of America D.W. Griffith Award, the Guild’s highest honor.

“We are proud to honor James Ivory, an icon of the world of film, who has often integrated the music of opera into his dramas,” said Elizabeth Eveillard, Glimmerglass Opera Board Chair and Spring Gala Co-Chair. “His introduction of our own rising star, Anthony Roth Costanzo, to film audiences makes the evening’s program particularly meaningful.”

After Costanzo's film debut in A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries, he continued to study music and graduated from the Manhattan School of Music in 2004. Costanzo made his Glimmerglass Opera debut in 2008 in the role of Nireno in Handel’s Guilio Cesare in Egitto and returned in 2009 as the Sorceress in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas.

He is a 2009 winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and he recently won a 2010 George London Award. He will made his New York City Opera debut this month as Armindo in a revival of the Glimmerglass Opera and Yew York City Opera co-production of Partenope. He returns to Glimmerglass Opera this summer to sing the title role in Handel’s Tolomeo.

For reservations and additional information, call Glimmerglass Opera’s Development Department at (607) 547-0700 ext. 209.

*photo 2: James Ivory Copyright ©2010 Soylent Communications

*photo 3: Anthony Roth Costanzo

Derek Warburton, aka Derek Loves Shopping, hosted the VIP Gala Grand Opening of the new Housing Works thrift store in Hell's Kitchen on Monday and helped the organization raise $6,000 in sales that night. The charity has provided services for homeless and low income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS since 1990, from housing, job training, help with treatment and prevention- with a focus on making life more manageable for those living with AIDS.

Mr. Warburton and the President of Housing Works, Richard Vorisek, individually addressed guests, expressing the importance of the organization's objectives and supporter appreciation. Their words serve as a testimony to the arduous success of Housing Works and the lives they touch. Words Mr. Warburton lives by: "Help, Teach, Inspire, Love and have Fun."

SEEN: The Real Housewives of New York City(I wonder how Jill Zarin feels about her snide comment now...), Bravo TV's Host Andy Cohen, former members of Project Runway including Fashion News Live's host for the night, Jack Mackenroth, designer Allison Parris, and Loris Diran.

*Photo 1 courtesy of Getty Images: Derek Warburton, Andy Cohen and Alex McCord

*Photo 2 courtesy of abcnews.com: Derek Warburton and stylist Jessica Carroll

On Thursday, November 19th, The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers hosted Project Morry's 13th Annual Autumn Elegance Gala to honor Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Project Morry is an ongoing program dedicated to giving inner-city children enriching learning opportunities through a curriculum based on school meetings and an intensive summer camp program. This nonprofit organization focuses on giving children an opportunity to be challenged, understand their self-worth and personal responsibility, and grow together.

The event began with a cocktail hour. Guests enjoyed the stunning view of the Hudson while viewing the various tables of items displayed for the silent auction.

The alumni of the program - a group of adults who have known each other since nine years old - exemplified the organization's advantages. I chatted with a number of alumni, each filled with a contagious enthusiasm, respect, and gratitude for having been a part of Project Morry. Their loyalty to the cause and overall friendliness, made the elegant and formal event remain down-to-earth and unpretentious.

Toward the end of the hour, I spoke with Liza Gates, the charming daughter of Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and one of the Gala Vice-Chairs. Ms. Gates was modest, kind-hearted, and filled with passion about the project. I had a brief discussion with Mr. Gates, Jr., about his interest and desire for his daughter to attend Columbia.

As the guests sat down for dinner and the awards ceremony, I was struck by the humbleness and kindness of Mr. Gates, Jr., as well as, everyone else I had encountered with throughout the evening.

-article by Hannah Christ for Scene B Seen

*photos courtesy of Project Morry

Every girl wants and needs to feel like a jewel... So we deserve to treat ourselves to the very best. Lindsay Colbus jewelry is modern, bold, stylish, and unique... just like every woman. We are special and should always feel that way!

Being a jet-set girl myself, who absolutely loves accessories, has on several occasions almost missed a flight searching for the perfect piece of jewelry to make an outfit look just right. I am charmed by Ms. Colbus' pieces. Adding a few of her designs to my collection, I am certain to be running on schedule from now on. It seems some celebs have caught on as well; from Rihanna (who had 2 pieces custom designed especially for her) to Sophia Bush to Lauren Conrad.

The talented designer lives in New York City and is continually inspired by her surroundings, her world travels, music, nature, and all things vintage. Her designs would look just as much at home at special events in Monaco, Paris, NYC, as they would on a tropical island. Simply gorgeous.

They are just finishing touch you need... effortlessly comfortable, feminine, and modern, just like you.

Lindsay Colbus jewelry participates with many charities and causes including organizations geared to women and women’s health.

The ready-to-wear jewelry brand will be having a national monthly sale in October. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Lindsay Colbus jewelry will be having a sale via online offering 25 percent off of all jewelry and 15 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The online sale at www.lindsaycolbus.com starts October 1 and ends October 31, 2009. The promo code is BRSTCNCER2009.

-article by Georgina Chapman for SBS