STAR STUDDED BOWLING!

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Ben Gordon Weekend 2008
Star-studded "Bowling Bash" raises money for S.O.S. initiative

By Joe Parisi
Ben Gordon's persona is that of a quiet, non-self-assertive individual off the court - but he surely knows how to throw a party when the need arises.
On Friday, August 15, Gordon put together a star-studded Bowling Bash intended to benefit his New Life Foundation and the Mount Vernon Save Our Sports (S.O.S) initiative, which is raising private funds to help raise the $950,000 needed to reinstate the Interscholastic Athletic Program for the Mount Vernon City School District.
The Bowling Bash, scheduled for a 6:00 PM start at Homefield Bowling Lanes in Yonkers, suffered a major delay due to a storm that passed through the area, causing havoc through Westchester County. Incredibly, the bowling alley parking lot started to fill up at about 9:00 PM and people started to trek into the bowling alley in big numbers.
As celebrities, NBA players and elected officials entered the bowling alley, they were greeted over the loudspeaker by the Master of Ceremonies, Zakiyyah Modeste (a.k.a. Sista Zock), who was positioned near the entrance, next to the DJ. Sista Zock's non-stop announcement of celebrities prompted guests to seek out each arriving celebrity and NBA player for a picture opportunity and autographs.

The guests were treated to an abundance of great food, along with two open bars serving top shelf liquor, beer and an assortment of refreshments.
The Bowling Bash started to become more star-studded by the minute, as the likes of Eddy Curry, Quentin Richardson, Elton Brand, Jamie Hector from the HBO series "The Wire" walked in. Rapper-turned-actor Dwight "Heavy D" Myers, a Mount Vernon product, and New York radio personalities Ed Lover and Curt Flirt drew immediate attention as they stepped into the bowling alley and were announced by Sista Zock.
By 10:00 PM, the large bowling alley was full to capacity, with people rubbing elbows with a star-studded cast of celebrities, both from the sports sector and the entertainment field. Many paid guests were seen bowling together with NBA stars and other celebrities. Every celebrity in attendance willingly and happily accommodated requests from guests for an autograph and a picture taking opportunity the entire evening.
It was an event not experienced by Mount Vernonites in a very long time - and it was all for an incredibly important cause.
"I feel like I'm in Hollywood right now. I can't believe I have all these famous people around me," said Belinda Jackson, a New Jersey resident.

Below is a partial list of the celebrities who attended the Bowling Bash:

*

Emeka Okafor- Charlotte Bobcats * Charlie Villuneva -Milwaukee Bucks
* Elton Brand -Philadelphia 76ers
* Eddy Curry- New York Knicks
* Quentin Richardson- New York Knicks
* Heavy D - Entertainer
* Eric B - of Eric B and Rakim
* Eric Murdock- Former NBA Player
* Ed Lover -Power 105.1
* Curt Flirt -Power 105.1
* Jamie Hector -The Wire
* Kym Hampton -Former WNBA Player
* Chris Broussard- ESPN the Magazine
* Malcolm Smith- NYC State Senate Minority Leader
* Barbara Turner- WNBA Player
* Rita Williams – Former WNBA Player
* Terrie Williams - famous author
* Jim Calhoon - UConn coach

Those readers wishing to make contributions to the Mount Vernon Save Our Sports (S.O.S) initiative, can mail checks to: Mount Vernon Educational Foundation, P.O. Box 476, Fleetwood Station, Mount Vernon, NY 10552.