Calendar

Gridiron Generosity

A A A Comments Thursday, May 19 2005

A weekend of football and philanthropy

More About

THUR 5/19Duane Starks of the New England Patriots is more than just a super defensive back; he's also a super benefactor. His Starks Charitable Foundation has been sponsoring community enrichment programs and providing scholarships to college-bound students since 1998. This weekend the graduate of Miami Beach Senior High School and UM has invited a host of pro-football celebs (and you) to four days of fun and fundraising during his eighth annual "Make It Hot" Celebrity Charity Weekend.

The festivities kick off today with the Quest for Success Scholarship Dinner at the Presidential Country Club (19600 Presidential Way, North Miami Beach). Friday you can tee off at the Celebrity Golf Tournament and hobnob with NFL players Warren Sapp (above), Willis McGahee, Daunte Culpepper, Santana Moss, and more. Saturday, May 21, bring your seven- to seventeen-year-old sports fans to a free Youth Football Clinic at the NFL YET Center (1790 NW 22nd Ave., Miami). Starks and the NFL's finest will provide instruction, autographs, souvenirs, and a rap session for the young athletes.

And don't forget to get your laugh on at a comedy show featuring Arnez J, Kevin Hart, and Lil JJ at the UM Convocation Center (1245 Dauer Dr., Coral Gables) Saturday night. But wait! There's more. For a full schedule of events, ticket prices, and registration, or to make a donation, visit www.starksfoundation.com, or call Darlene Starks at 954-347-2343. --Makkada Selah

Hippie Fest

Peace and love in the park

SUN 5/22Like macramé, tie-dye, and the Volkswagen Beetle, the Greynolds Love-In is back by popular demand. The first Sixties-themed festival -- featuring music, crafts, poetry readings, clothing and dance contests, and a vintage VW Bug show -- was so successful they've decided to make it an annual event, says Vivian Donnell Rodriguez, director of the Miami-Dade Park and Recreation department. Put on your best dancing Earth shoes and jam to the music of the Classic Rock All Stars (with Peter Rivera, Jerry Corbetta, Mike Pinera, and Dennis Noda) and Chuck Negron (formerly of Three Dog Night). Pass the peace pipe and let the love flow from 10:00 to 6:00 at Greynolds Park, 17530 W. Dixie Hwy., North Miami Beach. Admission is free, but parking costs six dollars. Call 305-945-3425. --Lyssa Oberkreser