Invitations/tickets are out and based on initial response, this year's American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) annual fund-raising gala is all set for Monday, October 5, at the Plaza Hotel, in New York, New York. It will be one glamorous outing, and then some!

The AFJ will this year honour former United States Ambassador to Jamaica, Brenda LaGrange Johnson, with its International Humanitarian Award.

Founded in 1982, the AFJ is a non-profit organisation which influences the lives of many and recognises those it deems worthy philanthropists to the cause of uplifting the marginalised.

The gala raises funds for Jamaican organisations and individuals in need, in the areas of education, health care and economic development.

LaGrange Johnson, who served here from 2005-2009, will be honoured for her contribution and significant humanitarian service to the island during her tour of duty.

High-profile team

She joins a high-profile team of past awardees, ranging from entertainment mogul and Island Outpost founder, Chris Blackwell; the dedicated priest, Father Richard Ho Lung, of Missionaries of the Poor; Ralph and Ricky Lauren of Polo Ralph Lauren; Edgar and Louise Cullman, philanthropists; Michele Rollins, chairman of Rose Hall Developments; and last year's awardee, former heavyweight boxing champion, Lennox Lewis.

Then my daahlings, it's gonna be a September to Remember over there in Negril, at no less an address than the world-famous and subscribed Hedonism II Resort, as the hotel's general manager, Kevin Levee, and entertainment staff are promising and absolute funfest throughout the month of September!

Dears, it begins with a week-long staging of the Garden of Hedonism Showcase, which will run from September 3-7.

The sixth through the 13 will see the hosting of the internationally acclaimed Teaser Bikini Spectacular; attracting a line-up of some of the world's hottest bikini clad bods.

September 13 through 18 will see the staging of the Penthouse Key Girl of The Year Award.

From the 21 through to the 28 will be the staging of the Miss North America Showgirl of the Year contest.

September 27 to October 4 will see staging of the annual Men of Dreams Showcase. My daahlings, now where would y'all rather be?

Fresh from his stunning fund-raising crabfest at his Paradise Park estate, in Savana-la-Mar, Westmoreland's leading philanthropist, Eric 'Busha' Clarke, has teamed up with hot Negril night spot, Risky Business, in his capacity as a rotarian, and the Rotary District Conference 2010 Fund-raising Committee to stage what promises to be a retro costume party of the year!

Dears, slated for Saturday, September 26, with a modest all-inclusive fee of a mere $3000 per person, the event is a must attend for lovers of the '70s' fashion and music and with the theme of 'Partying For A Cause', y'all know that it is a fab-fest just waiting to explode!

Dust off them old platform shoes, bell-bottomed pants and psychedelic shirts and flower-power wraps in time for September 26 at Risky Business. If it's Busha Clarke-sponsored event, you know it will be kicking, and then some!