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

Thursday, April 1st: Balloons hovered above the intimate setting of LES's The  Eldridge last night in celebration of photographer Jerritt Clark's birthday. His birthday wish? To send 15 inner city children ages 11-14 from America’s Most Dangerous city- Camden, NJ, (2009 FBI Ranking) on a week long vacation to “The Happiest Place on Earth,” Disneyland in Anaheim, California.

In 2004, Clark left his comfortable living environment and upbringing to join UrbanPromise in Camden, NJ and "saw firsthand what these kids endure on a daily basis." Clark spent 13 weeks in Camden with the bright children of Urban Promise and helped make their goals a reality. He realized that UrbanPromise has one clear mission: to build a city of promise, one child at a time. Clark held this fundraiser, which featured a silent auction and raffle, to help fulfill his b-day wish of granting 15 wishes of 15 exceptional kids. Stellar.

I had the pleasure of meeting UrbanPromise President, Bruce Main, who launched the organization in 1988 as an outreach to children and teens in the city of Camden. It began with one summer camp of about 80 kids run out of a struggling Baptist Church, and has since grown to a multifaceted institution with a reputation of solidarity and success.

I also had the great fortune of chatting with Camp Spirit Site Director, Alberto Vega. Both he and his brother Tony, participated in various programs at UrbanPromise as children, graduated from college, and returned to work full-time at UrbanPromise. As Main remarked, "It's amazing for the kids to have them as role models to look up to. You know, I used to pick them up since they were 5 years old to take them to camp. They went off to college and then returned to UrbanPromise." That is truly amazing and inspirational.

Among their many programs are private schools for grades k-12, after school programs, summer camps, and various other recreational and educational programs, each targeting different parts of the lives of Camden's youth. This Camden based non-profit currently mentors and schools over 400 children, and are also the largest private employer of teens in the city of Camden, with close to 100 teenagers on its payroll each year. In 2009, Camden had the highest crime rate in the U.S. with 2,333 violent crimes per 100,000 people while the national average was 455 per 100,000. 69-70% of students drop out of the cities two largest high schools and almost 60% of all youth in here live below the poverty line. Camden’s citywide per capita income is only $9,000/yr.

For more information and to learn how you can help, please visit: www.urbanpromiseusa.org.

*All photos by Jerritt Clark

*photo 1: Singer O'Neal McKnight and Russell Simmons

*photo 2: DJ Cassidy

*photo 3: Bruce Main and Alberto Vega

*photo 4: Camden, NJ

A few weeks ago, I was trying my luck at a blind date. I figured if someone wants to get to know me, why not accompany me to an event? I'm not sure if it was the brightest idea having someone meet me at Hearst Tower for an Esquire Magazine celebration, as if 1st dates aren't overwhelming enough. I was thankful to cut the tension when I bumped into Justine McCarthy from Simply Chic PR. When my date inquired, "So, who are all these people and how did they get invited?" Justine promptly introduced us to Robin Ross of YOUAREONTHELIST.com.

SBS Readers- Here is the WWW.:

Scene B Seen: Robin, you are the founder of YOUAREONTHELIST.com, when and why did you start this site to provide insider access to some of the most exclusive events in NYC and LA?

Robin Ross: Because why shouldn’t everyone experience the best events that are out there?! I am spoiled and have been to all the best events from Sundance to the Academy Awards to backstage at Fashion Week etc., as well as, shopping with designers at their showrooms and getting insider pricing at hotels and spas... So, I wanted to bring that to those who want it and can afford it, but do not know how to do it!

SBS: So, how does it work?

RR: Well we have an annual membership for the Invitation Only list for $500. Then we send out invites and after you RSVP, we get you on the list.

SBS: What’s the difference between being on The List and Invitation Only List?

RR: The List is a complimentary service, where you receive invites to open events, our e-list newsletter and clipboard photos. The more exclusive or sought after events are only available to our Invitation Only List members. The Invitation Only List membership is $500 a year for access to all the exclusive events in NYC and beyond. Plus insider pricing on spas, hotels, fashion etc. You receive save the dates about upcoming events and on-site assistance at all the events to guarantee entry. Also for Fashion Week, only Invitation Only List members have access to the events- unless you buy one of our Fashion Week Packages. Privileges are listed on www.youareonthelist.com/invite_only

SBS: Speaking of... Have any hot parties lined up for Fashion Week?

RR: Yes of course! Check out the entire fashion calendar- we have access to it all. We are offering our YOUAREONTHELIST.com Fashion Week Insider Pass, which get you access to some shows at Bryant Park and other venues, after parties, a membership to YOUAREONTHELIST.com, as well as, amazing gift bags. We also have other surprises with a portion going to charity for the arts. We are only offering 15 of these and we are not taking new memberships during fashion week. The only way to be a member and attend the shows is to purchase the package. You can visit www.youareonthelist.com/dates or email us at events@youareonthelist.com for details.

SBS: That sounds like a stellar deal! I'm so curious what the parties are going to be like considering this is the So Long Bryant Park Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Do you think the NYC Scene has changed in the past few years?

RR: OMG! Yes and NO!

SBS: Ha! How?

RR: I grew up in NYC on the Upper East Side, where going out at night to clubs bars like Odeon, Studio 54, Xenon, and Dorian’s, was just like going to the movies or the mall. We always got in and we always knew where to go. They weren’t websites that told you every night what was going on- you were only in the know or you weren’t. Nowadays, the really exclusive events are few and far between. So we try to have access to those and the more publicized events. What's funny is that some of the same venues are still popular like Dorian’s. Every Tuesday, it's mobbed with young hip professional for their karaoke night.

SBS: Seriously? I suppose Karaoke is a healthy and cheaper alternative... With the economic state of affairs this past year, there’s been an influx of independent promoters trying to fill clubs via email lists and Facebook, should guests be wary of such things?

RR: Yes, you should... but not all promoters are bad or shady. I see a lot of the reputable promoters on Facebook as it has become the new marketplace to advertise and promote your business, and nightlife is no different. YOUAREONTHELIST.com is all things social media! Facebook page and twitter...

SBS: So, what separates YOUAREONTHELIST.com from those types of promoters?

RR: I am not a promoter, not that’s there is anything wrong with that, but we are a service that provides access to events and experiences in NYC and beyond. We do not work for the venues, clubs, or restaurants. We work for our members, to provide them with experiences they would never know about or are too busy to find out about and get them access. YOUAREONTHELIST.com is like a best friend who knows everyone and takes you with them.

SBS: Love it! What’s in the future for YOUAREONTHELIST.com?

RR: We are rolling out to other markets YOUAREONTHELIST.com Boston, Chicago, Miami, SF... We are excited to be launching YOUAREONTHELIST.com KIDS. So that kids can be on the list too!!

SBS: A kids list? That rocks. How fun is that?!

RR: Plus in NYC we will be creating YOUAREONTHELIST.com pop-up lounges at marquee events in NYC and this summer in the Hamptons. So- SBS Readers will have to see where we will pop-up next!

Photo 1: Robin Ross and Tracy Stern
Photo 2: Ryan Nicklaus of Ryan Darius Salon and good friend TJ enjoyed Front Row at Russell Simmons courtesy of YOUAREONTHELIST.com
Photo 3: 901 SILVER TEQUILA LAUNCH PARTY, NYC June 13, 2009: Actor and promoter Danny A with the beautiful people

Def Jam Recordings celebrated it's 25th Anninversay May 18, 2009 at the notorious 40/40 Club. In honor of that, I would like to say:

What the dilly, yo?

It was a mad house to get in, but then once you were in, there was nothing notorious about it. Obviously, Scene B Seen is a huge advocate for innovation and up and comers, so why didn't Def Jam market the event to promote it's young roster? Which, I personally believe, would have generated the same turn-out.

If one were to celebrate Def Jam's 25th, it would be celebrating the accomplishments of producing some of the most groundbreaking Hip-Hop and R&B artists of our time, right?

We weren't the only ones to come to this conclusion either. The stunning Egypt, from Egyptsaidso.com, posted: I was on the set and really had a good time….But Russell Simmons wasn’t there nor were any of the labels signature artists….hmmm. Jay-Z, not only the former CEO of Def Jam, the hip-hop mogul owns 40/40, was also a no-show .

Monday evening seemed to justify Greg Tate's primary beef: the music industry has joined the “mainstream that had once excluded its originators.” (Village Voice .4, 2005)

Props for those who did grace the red carpet, Tha Heights, DJ Webstar, Pooch Hall and Hosea Canchez of CW's The Game, Sharon Carpenter, Julissa Bermudez, Egypt, Chris Canty, Travanti Johnson, Napiera Groves, and Darrelle Revis.

To see more photos: click here

*photo 1 courtesy of purewest.us by Peter Brauer: DJ Webstar

*photo 2 courtesy of wireimage.com by Nunez: Egypt