John Heller, Post-Gazette Salome Thomas-El signs his book for Fummi Adewale Click photo for larger image.

The names of the colleges to which they have already been accepted were as impressive as the students themselves. Wednesday night, 38 young African-American scholars were awarded grants to help finance their post-secondary educations at the 42nd Annual NEED (Negro Educational Emergency Drive) Benefit Dinner.

The affair at the Pittsburgh Hilton attracted more than 800 guests, some of whom have been involved with NEED since its inception in 1963. Today it is the oldest community-based nonprofit higher education assistance program in Pennsylvania and has provided more than 16,000 students with funding.

This year the theme was "Checkmate" in honor of guest speaker Salome Thomas-El, an elementary school principal from Philadelphia, nationally-acclaimed educator and chess coach and the author of the best-selling "I Choose to Stay." He congratulated each winner at the private awards ceremony before the dinner, attended by NEED executive director Sylvester Pace (with wife Ronda and daughter Stephanie), dinner chair Christine Taylor-White, board chair Gregory Spencer and honorary chairs Bill Trueheart, who is president of the Pittsburgh Foundation, and his wife, Carol Word.

Also there was Ralph Papa, president of sponsoring Citizens Bank and chairman of the 2005 NEED Corporate Campaign. Enjoying the musical performances by CAPA students and Nikki Smith were emcee Harold Hayes, Debbie Norrell, Helen Faison, city Councilman Sala Udin, Jackie Dixon and Aaron Walton.

Alyssa Cwanger, Post-Gazette Laurel Shaw, Claire Walker, Nancy Johnson and Kip Bryant Click photo for larger image.

Children of prisoners

A new initiative to help children of prisoners, of which there are more than 7,000 in Allegheny County, was launched Tuesday with a reception at the Omni William Penn.

Sponsored by the Pittsburgh Child Guidance Foundation, the initiative grew out of an 18-month study involving research by numerous local organizations. Among other things, the study found that 25 percent of the mothers and 13 percent of the fathers in the Allegheny County Jail were the sole caretakers of their children. It also found many ways to help these children, and with the advocacy of the foundation, the campaign was conceived.

Among those showing their support before the buffet dinner were Gwen Elliott, Allegheny County Jail warden Ramon Rustin, Deborah Walk and Pittsburgh Child Guidance executive director Claire Walker along with foundation president Jane Burger. Also attending were Allegheny County Judges Kim Clark and Cheryl Allen, Tom and son Scott Hollander, Pittsburgh Police Cmdr. Maurita Bryant, Nancy Johnson, Kip Bryant, Lloyd Stamy, Laurel Shaw, Thelma Lovette Morris and mayoral candidate Michael Lamb.

	Tony Tye, Post-Gazette Gen. Gordon Sullivan and John Buchanan Click photo for larger image.

The Traffic Club's 103rd Annual Dinner

A modest crowd of nearly 1,200 packed the Pittsburgh Hilton ballroom Thursday evening for the Traffic Club of Pittsburgh's 103rd Annual Dinner.

Promoting "progress, cooperation and good fellowship," the evening attracted guests from across the country, including the CEOs of many transportation-related companies. Whether by truck, rail, barge or boat, transportation is the common ground, and awarding scholarships (this year to Lindsay Seidel, David Manwiller, Ileana Deptula and Lynn Huth) is their effort for the common good.

Traffic Club president John Buchanan welcomed the guests and James Stalder, dean of the business school at Duquesne University, introduced the guest speaker, retired Army Gen. Gordon Sullivan. Among those listening to his patriotic remarks were Superior Court Judge John Brosky, John Vuono, Ken Burk, Harvey Gainey, Mark Sherwin, Walter Turner, Larry Parsons, Coast Guard Cmdr. Wyman Briggs and James McCarville.

John Heller, Post-Gazette Barbara Collier, center, and Barbara Curry, right, sample the soul food buffet. Click photo for larger image.

Black Extravaganza

A platinum-plated celebration Saturday evening drew more than 600 guests to Oakland's Carnegie Museum for the 20th annual Black Extravaganza & Trailblazer Awards.

The gala, created by Connie Portis of Renaissance Publications, honors local achievers at a Kennedy Center-style presentation followed by a "soul and spice" food reception. The Africa-inspired Shona Sharif Dance Ensemble and a salute to past honorees kicked off Saturday's soiree with a bang.

Also seen this year were honorary chairpersons Cecile Springer and Charles Powell, hosts Lynne Hayes Freeland and Vince Sims, red-carpet hostess Debbie Norrell and celebrity awards presenters Dwayne Woodruff, Brenda Waters, Sheldon Ingram, Wrenna Watson, Cathy Milton, Jean Bryant and the Post-Gazette's Edwina Kaikai.

The greatest applause, however, was reserved for the honorees: "Torch Lighters" Randolph Brockington, Ophelia Coleman, Elaine Effort, the Rev. Brenda J. Gregg, Robert Hill, Dr. Frank E. Sessoms, Alex Wilson, Robert O. Agbede, Maelene J. Myers and Irvin W. Williams; "Emerging Trailblazers" Donna Baxter-Hankins, Trini Massie and Justin Strong; KDKA Lift-Up Award recipients Joseph Foster, Winfred Torbert, Jerri Holts, the Rev. Henry Billingsly, Richard Newell, Dr. Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew and Virginia Craig and two dozen young-adult student achievers.

-- LaMont Jones

	Lake Fong, Post-Gazette Mary Lloyd Thompson and Alice Coulter Click photo for larger image.

Antique Show for Kerr Memorial Museum

Talkers and gawkers, buyers and browsers descended on Oakmont Country Club Friday evening for a preview party heralding the first annual Antiques Show at the esteemed private enclave on Hulton Road.

Two years in the planning, the weekend offering was packaged by Jack Squires, a dealer from Grove City, as a benefit for Oakmont's own Kerr Memorial Museum. Participating were more than two dozen dealers from a nine-state area. Among them were Patricia Barger of Fairfield, Conn., who specializes in tall case clocks, and Lyons Ltd. of Palo Alto, Calif., known for its antique prints.

Representing the Pittsburgh area were Brooks and Trice, Candlewood Antiques, Peter Chillingworth, David's Gallery, East End Galleries and Rob and Ada Brandegee. The pricing, Squires assured, ranged from "moderate to expensive," the inventory, from "country to formal."

"This has the makings of a first-class show," he said. In agreement were the event's co-chairs, Jan Shoop and Joan Stewart, who appeared to be on a first-name basis with many of the preview party guests. These would include Anne and Dave Genter, Kaaren and Sam Amodeo, Gini Calabrese, Jackie and Bob Capretto, Carol and Joe Massaro, Bev and Steve Elliott, Catherine and Curt Coulter, Beth Wainwright and Russ Kemerer, David and Marcy Gookin, Cristy Gookin, Kathy and Len Stept and Jackie and Don Stoner.

Additional sightings included Bob Shoop, Robert Stewart, Beverly Squires, Harley Trice, Bob Gilliland, Graham Shearing (on crutches, but ably getting about), George Shaner and Michael Philopena, Alice and George Coulter, Chriss Swaney and her mother, Gwen (happy to show off her purchase of a cameo), George and Mary Lloyd Thompson and Joan and Al Dudreck.

Squires will resurface Oct. 7-9 as manager of the Child Health Association of Sewickley's sixth Sewickley Valley Antique Show at the Edgeworth Club.

-- Phyllis Pack