All For The Good Blog

The Cole twins, Timolin and Casey of Boca Raton, daughters of legendary Nat King Cole, have established Nat King Cole Generation Hope, Inc., a non-profit foundation to benefit music education in schools in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

The Gala was chaired by philanthropist and international financier Alvin Malnik and his wife Nancy Malnik. The Forge, a Miami Beach restaurant and bar, has served as the institution of elegance and taste and was founded by Alvin Malnik in 1968 now owned by his son Shareef Malnik. The historic landmark and American icon has been the home of great music events throughout the years including performances by Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.

The Gala featured visits from celebrity guests and star-studded entertainment including a performance by Siedah Garrett and 11 time Grammy nominated songwriter and producer Dennis Lambert. DJ Irie, a 2007 BET Award nominee and winner of Miami New Times’ 2005 Best Club DJ, lent his award winning musical talent during the cocktail reception and the After Party at the Glass bar inside The Forge. Guests included some of today’s hottest entertainers, the Cole Family and friends.

The Cole twins launched the Foundation after learning of budget cuts in South Florida public schools. The Foundation was created to provide funding for music education to children of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and diversities, including music instrument instruction, music composition and songwriting, technical instruction in the recording arts, music instruments and equipment, and music related seminars and field trips.

“Our father was a pioneer and music legend who transcended color and race. During his lifetime, the arts were an integral part of the educational curriculum; today’s youth are art starved,” said Timolin Cole. “By enriching students with the opportunity to enhance their musical talents and abilities, his legacy lives on.”

Twin sister Casey Cole added, “We believe our father, by right, has earned his place in history as a true American hero and legend through his contributions to the world of music. We hope that through the funds raised we can help inspire a new generation of youth through the power of music.”

Nat King Cole was one of the most popular singers ever to hit the American charts. A brilliant recording and concert artist during the 40s, 50s, and 60s, he attracted millions of fans around the world with a sensitive and caressing singing voice that was unmistakable. Cole had a rare blend of technical musical knowledge and sheer performing artistry topped off with an abundance of showmanship. In the 23 years that he recorded with Capitol Records, he turned out hit after amazing hit – nearly 700 songs – all the while managing to remain a gentle, tolerant and gracious human being.

Cole’s first mainstream vocal hit was his 1943 recording of one of his compositions, “Straighten Up and Fly Right,” based on a black folk tale that his father had used as a theme for a sermon. Johnny Mercer invited him to record it for the fledgling Capitol Records label. It sold over 500,000 copies, proving that folk-based material could appeal to a wide audience. Although Cole would never be considered a rocker, the song can be seen as anticipating the first rock and roll records. Indeed, Bo Diddley, who performed similar transformations of folk material, counted Cole as an influence.

Beginning in the late 1940s, Cole began recording and performing more pop-oriented material for mainstream audiences, often accompanied by a string orchestra. His stature as a popular icon was cemented during this period by hits such as “The Christmas Song” (Cole recorded that tune four times: on June 14, 1946, as a pure Trio recording, on August 19, 1946, with an added string section, on August 24, 1953, and in 1961 for the double album The Nat King Cole Story; this final version, recorded in stereo, is the one most often heard today), “Nature Boy” (1948), “Mona Lisa” (1950), “Too Young” (the #1 song in 1951),[3] and his signature tune “Unforgettable” (1951). While this shift to pop music led some jazz critics and fans to accuse Cole of selling out, he never totally abandoned his jazz roots; as late as 1956, for instance, he recorded an all-jazz album After Midnight. Cole had one of his last big hits two years before his death, in 1963, with the classic “Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer”, which reached #6 on the Pop chart.

In 1965, Nat King Cole died tragically of lung cancer. He was only 45. Nathaniel Adams Coles was born in Montgomery, Alabama on March 17, 1919. He was the son of Baptist minister, Edward James Coles, and mother, Perlina Adams, who sang soprano and directed the choir in her husband’s church. Cole grew up in Chicago, met and married a girl in New York named Maria Hawkins, who was from Boston. They had five children and lived in Hancock Park in Los Angeles.

NKC Generation Hope, Inc. has been established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in South Florida. Its officers are Timolin and Casey Cole, both of Boca Raton. Honorary Board Members are: Mrs. Nat King Cole of Ponte Vedre, Fla.; Ms. Natalie Cole and Ms. Carole Cole, both of Los Angeles; Mr. Jimmy Cefalo of Pittston, Pennsylvania; Mr. Colin Cowie of Los Angeles; Mr. Anthony C. Gruppo of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Jones of Los Angeles; Ms. Leslie Linder of West Palm Beach; Mr. and Mrs. Al Malnik of Palm Beach; Ms. Marylynne Stephan McGlone of Palm Beach; Ms.Holly Robinson and Mr. Rodney Peete, both of Los Angeles, Ms. Madelyn Savarick of Boca Raton; and Mr. and Mrs. Jordan Zimmerman also of Boca Raton.

To obtain more information on Nat King Cole Generation Hope, Inc., please visit: www.natkingcolefoundation.org

Shareef Malnik Gala Chairman Shareef Malnik, owner of The Forge restaurant in Miami Beach and the Gala Chairman for the fifth consecutive year, became involved as the Chairman to reinvigorate the image of the Ball.  “I believe very strongly in what the Make-A-Wish organization stands for and I saw the opportunity to be able to use my expertise in events and marketing to increase the fundraising potential of this event.  In my first year [as Gala Chairman], we broke every fundraising and attendance record in the event’s history!”  Malnik’s motivation to continue his involvement comes from seeing the happiness that the Foundation is able to bring to deserving children’s lives.  After experiencing the diagnosis of his younger brother with Leukemia and having him become eligible to receive a wish from the organization, Malnik was able to grasp the importance and the hope that a wish provides.  Thankfully, his brother is now cancer-free, but Malnik continues to bring improvements to the event. Robert B. Hill General Manager, InterContinenal Miami Robert B. Hill, General Manager at the InterContinental Miami since September 2009 is a 20-year veteran in the hospitality industry and most recently comes from the InterContinental Stephen F. Austin where he served as General Manager since 2006. Prior to that, he served as Hotel Manager at the InterContinental Chicago and Executive Assistant Manager at the Willard InterContinental in Washington D.C. Robert returns to Miami where he previously held the position of Assistant Food & Beverage Director from 1996 to 1999. He has also held positions at InterContinental properties in Maui and London. Robert is a native of Limerick, Ireland and graduated from the prestigious Shannon College of Hotel Management.“Robert has proven his commitment to the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand, and his experience will be instrumental in continuing the success of one of our finest properties,” said Lew Fader, vice president of operations, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, North America. “We’re delighted that he has taken this next step in his career with us and know that he will be an asset to the InterContinental Miami.”
Lifetime Benefactors Al & Nancy Malnik	Grand Benefactors Stanley & Gala Cohen	Founding Benefactors Howard & Barbara Glicken	Wish Star Benefactor James L. Ferraro
Wish Benefactors Harvey & Roberta Chaplin Stuart A. Miller, Lennar Corporation Robert Press, Trafalgar Capital Advisors Dream Catchers Drs. Roger & Ginger Medel E. Roe & Penny Stamps Honorary Chairpersons Jonathan Babicka Karim Benyahia & Pascale Van Cleemput Benyahia Jason & Haley Binn Maxwell Blandford Michael Capponi Cynthia Carr Wayne & Arlene Chaplin Jeffrey & Linda Chodorow Jeffrey & Michelle Eisenberg Katherine Fernandez-Rundle Barry Florescue Willie & Gloria Gary Ken Gorin Austin & Sara Harrelson Lady Monica Heftler Patrik Hoffman Courtland Lantaff Laurence Leavy Evan Lefferts Donald & Judy Lefton Clif Loftin Peter Loftin Andrew & Lisa Mandala Dr. Frederick Miller & Sharon Barnwell-Miller Eric Milon Antonio Misuraca Stephen & Sandra Muss Adam Nathanson Richard Polidori Gail Posner Jerry & Sandi Powers J.R. & Loren Ridinger Jerry & Joan Robins Brad Rosenblatt Jaime Rubinson Rene Ruiz David Scheiner Jacqueline Simkin Count Alan & Countess Claudine Smurfit Ira Sochet & Sheree Savar Sochet Bruce Sutka Brian & Karyn Tageson Bobby Yampolsky Jordan & Denise Zimmerman After the Ball, the party continues well into the night at the exclusive InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Nightclub.

From 2003 – Palm Beach International Film Festival Website:

The 8th Annual Palm Beach International Film Festival attracted huge audiences, far outnumbering last year’s attendance. The success of this year’s festival created a whole new level of awareness and recognition not only in Palm Beach County, Florida, but in the entertainment industry as well.

The fest opened Thursday, April 3, 2003 with “The Kid Stays In The Picture” presented by legendary producer Robert Evans. Commissioner Burt Aaronson announced to the audience that the PBIFF has turned over a check for $100,000 to Film and Television Education Programs for the schools throughout Palm Beach County.

An enthusiastic swarm of fans eagerly awaited the arrival of Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody outside the Mizner Park Theater where Brody introduced the festival’s screening of Roman Polanski’s multi-award-winning film, “The Pianist.” Alex Simon from Venice Magazine moderated a passionate Q&A session with the audience members.

The audience attending Saturday night’s Grand Gala ceremony at the Palm Beach International Film Festival at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, was treated to a surprise visit by such stars as Brett Ratner, Chris Tucker, Carol Alt, David DeLuise, Alvin Malnik, Michael Jackson and host Cady Mc Clain as honors were awarded to Oscar winner Adrien Brody, silent film legend Fay Wray, producer/writer/actor Robert Evans and producer Suzanne DeLaurentiis. Brody graciously accepted his honor for Performance of the Year with the same elegance that rivaled his infamous Oscar speech. Evans received a Lifetime Achievement Award presented by director Brett Ratner, Fay Wray received the Legend in Film award. and Suzanne DeLaurentiis received the Founder’s Award.

With over 90 films to choose from, there was certainly something for everybody! Filmgoers turned out in record numbers to see such films as “The Bachelorman,” (that had David DeLuise and producer/writer/ actor Rodney Lee Conover working the streets), “Broadway: The Golden Age,” (Fay Wray came to talk about the film to a sold-out crowd, along with director Rick McKay), “Annihilation of Fish” (with standout performances by Lynn Redgrave and James Earl Jones), “Coney Island Baby,” (directed by Amy Hobby, who recently produced “Secretary” and “Thirteen Conversations About One Thing”), “5 Card Stud,” (with Khrystine Haje attending), “Kissed By A Crocodile” (made by Aussie Wendy Dent, focusing on how western tourism is changing the face of Bali and their traditional family culture) and “Movie Hero,” (a fascinating tale of a man who is convinced his life is a movie). Attendees also sought out more serious fare such “Klezmer on Fish Street,” “Small Voices,” “Season Of Youth,” “The Egoists” and “The Last Reunion: A Gathering of Heroes.”

Over 700 people attended an encore presentation of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” outdoors at the Old School Square Pavilion.

The short films drew a particularly enthusiastic crowd throughout the week with such popular offerings as “Polaroid” “Home,” “Salaryman,” “Today You Are A Fountain Pen,” “Over My Dead Body,” and “The Wedding Bout.” The talent showcased by many of these directors is sure to elevate them to a new level of filmmaking!

Word of mouth about the exceptional lineup of films has reached beyond Palm Beach, garnering interest from various studios requesting to see several of this year’s entriessomething every film festival aspires to do.

The week concluded with several well-attended events, ranging from a Latin-themed party at the popular Oceans 11 following the screenings of “12 Horas,” (for which ex-Menudo star Charlie Mass came in from Puerto Rico) and “Los Zafiros,” to a beach party at Canopy Palms on Singer Island at which pop sensation Heather (who currently has a song rapidly rising on the charts) performed.

The closing night festivities started with a screening of Alan Rudolph’s newest film, “The Secret Lives of Dentists,” starring Denis Leary, Campbell Scott and Hope Davis, followed by a Wrap Party at the Old School Square in Delray Beach. The Film Awards were presented at the party, emceed by Rodney Lee Conover, producer/writer/co-star of “Bachelorman.” (The list of winning films is attached.) The crowd, which consisted of filmmakers, press, volunteers and festival attendees partied the night away! The Awards ceremony was sponsored by WCI Communities and the Closing Night event was sponsored by the City of Delray Beach and Old School Square.

The 8th Annual PBIFF became a competitive forum for the first time. The jury consisted of three individuals from different areas of the business. The jury was headed by national journalist Luke Sader, and was accompanied Terry Tharpe of Sony Pictures and Gregg Chabot, writer of “Reign of Fire.”

The 2003 PBIFF Award winners

Feature
SMALL VOICES (Mea Munting Tinig) Directed, produced and cowritten by Gil M. Portes.

Documentary Feature
THE LAST REUNION: A GATHERING OF HEROES, Directed by Brent Wilson. Producer Robert Reese

Short Subject
TODAY YOU ARE A FOUNTAIN PEN, Written and directed by Dan Katzir.

Director
Gil M. Portes, SMALL VOICES.

Screenplay
Gil M. Portes, Adolfo B. Alix, Jr. and Senedy H. Que, SMALL VOICES.

Actor
Jonathan Bennett, SEASON OF YOUTH, Directed by Eric Perlmutter.

Actress
Lynn Redgrave, THE ANNIHILATION OF FISH, Directed by Charles Burnett.

Special Jury Prize
KLEZMER ON FISH STREET Directed by Yale Strom. Producer Elizabeth Schwartz.

Audience Favorite Awards

Feature
BACHELORMAN, Co-producer/co-writer/co-star Rodney Lee Conover.

Documentary
BROADWAY: THE GOLDEN AGE, BY THE LEGENDS WHO WERE THERE, Directed by Rick McKay, who was on hand to accept the award.

Short Film
KILLING PEDRO RIVERA, Written and directed by Austin Stark and Jeffrey Karp, who were on hand to accept the award.

From November 18, 2005

11th Annual InterContinental Ball For The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Southern Florida

This year’s gala was a huge success, shattering all previous records in attendance, celebrity guests, and, most importantly funds raised for those in need. More than $700,000 can now be used to grant the wishes of 141 children in South Florida living with life-threatening medical conditions.

The 2005 Ball Chairman, Shareef Malnik, owner of The Forge restaurant in Miami, emceed alongside “Apprentice” alumni Katrina Campins and Bradford Cohen. Al Malnik and his wife Nancy were honored as Lifetime Benefactors. Special Guest Honorees were music and fashion icons Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons, joined by tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, model Marcus Schenkenberg, boxing promoter Don King, and Charles Koppelman, Chairman of Martha Stewart Living. Celebrities also included Florida Marlin Jeff Conine, Miami Dolphin Sam Madison, Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell, and Miami fashion designer Rene Ruiz.

Guests enjoyed music by DJ Cassidy during the cocktail hour while they mingled and toured the silent auction (more than 150 packages which included fashionable designer names, plus InterContinental Hotel stays in Bali, Paris, Cairo, Athens, Amstel, New York, and London, among others). For the Live Auction, Kimora Lee Simmons joined fellow auctioneers Lee Schrager and Shareef Malnik, encouraging guests to bid. Auction items included tennis lessons with Venus and Serena; trips to France and Chile courtesy of Southern Wine & Spirits and American Airlines; a walk-on role in Brett Ratner’s next movie, Rush Hour 3; the newly introduced Aston Martin V8 Vantage courtesy of The Collection; a date with Schenkenberg; a $50,000 membership to Casa Casaurina, plus items from Bvlgari and Rene Ruiz Couture. Ending the evening with a bang, international recording artist Wyclef Jean performed some of his greatest hits.

The night was a true success thanks to InterContinental Miami General Manager Jack Miller, special guests, generous donors, dedicated volunteers, and Platinum Sponsor Premier Beverage Company, who all helped to make this the highest grossing fundraiser in Make-A-Wish history! Be a part of the magic at next year’s 12th Annual Intercontinental Ball.

Behind The Mask
The Private Life Of Michael Jackson

As told to Stephanie Wilson (Haute Living) by Alvin Malnik
Photo By Tatijana Shoan

As soon as the untimely and sudden death of superstar Michael Jackson hit the airwaves, the rumors began flying. From the highly suspicious to the utterly ludicrous, falsehoods spread through the media like wildfire. Michael Jackson—a superstar with unmatched talent and charisma, a national treasure under a glaring global spotlight from the time he was 10 years old—was an incredibly private person. And though millions revered the man behind the pop-king mask, few really knew him. Al Malnik, the famous and legendary lawyer, businessman, and restaurateur whom Haute Living referred to as a “Living Legend” during our cover profile in the January/February 2007 Miami edition, was one of the few people whom Michael trusted wholeheartedly. In fact, Malnik is the godfather of Michael’s youngest son, Blanket, a piece of reality that got twisted and misconstrued in the weeks following his death. The rumor mill warped the truth so much that it was claimed that Malnik was actually the biological father of Blanket—a completely fabricated falsehood. Malnik appeared on The Today Show to answer the claims, which he called a “Ripley event,” considering he didn’t meet Blanket until he was one year old. Speaking out for only the second time since Michael’s passing, Al Malnik shares his personal history with Michael Jackson with Haute Living in hopes of setting the record straight about the private life of this public figure.

I first met Michael about nine years ago. I was told that he had heard about me and was interested in meeting, and in particular wanted to request a tour of my house in Palm Beach. Michael was an architecture buff, and he had admired the property from afar. He was in L.A. at the time, and expressed interest in discussing several different  business ideas and plans. He finally asked [director] Brett Ratner, whom I refer to as my 11th son, to call me and ask to meet with him. I initially said no because I was not a fan, so I really didn’t see the point in inviting him to come over and entertain him. When I told my wife Nancy about it, she raised holy hell! She said, “Are you kidding? Michael Jackson! I grew up with him! His posters were on my wall! You have to let him come over, I want to meet him.” So to please her, I invited him to the house, and from that first meeting we all developed a beautiful friendship. Throughout the past decade or so, Michael would come and stay at the house quite a bit, sometimes with the children, and sometimes alone. It was an extraordinary time. Michael was an amazing houseguest because he really didn’t require any attention. He liked to clean his own room and make his own bed, and he taught his kids to do that, too, much to our amazement. Michael soon became close friends with my son Shareef, along with Brett Ratner and Chris Tucker. The four of them spent a great deal of time together at our house, always having a ball, filled with a lot of laughs. I also have triplets that are around the same age as Michael’s two older children, Prince and Paris, who are 12 and 11 now. We would travel often with Michael and the family, going down to Acapulco or other family vacation spots. We also have fond memories of our times out at Neverland Ranch. The most important bungalow there is called the Elizabeth Taylor suite, which is where we stayed. The first night, he had Elizabeth Taylor herself call me, welcoming me to her suite at Neverland Ranch! The kids, of course, loved Neverland; they went around with Michael’s children and saw the zoo and rode the train. It was such a magical time. One year, at a birthday party that Nancy was having for the triplets, Michael came to the theater and surprised not only us, but the birthday guests as well. Everyone thought it was a Michael Jackson impersonator. They couldn’t believe it was really him! Come to think of it, some of the people may still think it was a lookalike. All of our children spent a lot of time together, and Michael’s children especially enjoyed it. When they were with us, they were able to go out with Nancy and I and our family and not be haggled. They didn’t have to wear their veils because no one knew who they were. When they spent time with us they got to experience normal situations that were lacking in their daily lives, like visiting St. Andrew’s school or going to the movies. When they were with my family, they literally were able to take off the masks and no one bothered them. Michael was able to do the same. We worked to create everyday experiences for him, like going shopping. One time we rented out a Publix supermarket so that he could do what ordinary people do on a regular basis.

Michael was able to relax when he was with us and let his guard down. We live on the beach, and he and I would go down to the water together after the sun went down where he was just an ordinary guy, kicking his feet in the surf. When it comes to my history with Blanket, Michael asked me to be Blanket’s godfather when the boy was a year old. My relationship with Blanket is limited, because he was just a baby at the time, and I did not really participate in his upbringing. But I think that in the event something happened, Michael really wanted me to be a sort of safety net. He wanted to know that I would be willing to raise Blanket as though he were one of my own children, and that’s what the legal document says. I haven’t spoken with the family since Michael’s passing. I am not used to being in the media spotlight so when the stories came out, I was shocked. I know if I go to the funeral, the press will besiege me again. So instead, our family will just pray for Michael, and wish him bon voyage from this Earth. Our family loved Mi-chael very much, and we will always be respectful, and always extend our hand of friendship to any of his children, should they ever need our help. Michael had such an amazing energy and such talent. He was always composing new songs and singing them a cappella. One day, he was walking around the house in his pajamas, singing some new pieces that he was working on. He was walking up one set of stairs, and then down another. I asked him, “What are you doing?” He said, “I’m doing two songs at once! I am walking up this set doing one song, and when I walk down the other, I do the other song.” He could write a song in five minutes, it was unbelievable. I know he did end up recording some of these new songs. He planned on making his comeback by doing an outrageous concert tour, starting in Europe and ending in the United States. At the same time, he wanted to simultaneously publish some of the new albums that he had been working on while he was staying at our house—all new, never-been-heard stuff. He was so excited to do this tour, so prepared for it. One of our friends who had seen his rehearsal one or two nights before his death, called me and said, “You ought to come out and see Michael before he does his concert. He is unbelievable. It’s like you have never seen him before.” I did have the opportunity to see him perform before, at our house. While visiting, he asked if we could get him a portable dance floor, so of course we did. When I saw him move around on that floor, I was wowed. I had never seen anything like it. I knew he was unbelievable, and it’s nice to know that five years later, he was equally impressive. It was great fun in those days, but we also shared some hard times. I helped Michael out financially in a lot of different areas when he needed it. At that time, we managed to resolve all of his financial problems. After that period, which was after I had paid for his bail when he was arrested, I felt it was not in our best family interest to spend all of the time that was required to get Michael on the right track again, because at that point he had capable people around him. And, of course, geography was a big problem because Michael’s business interests are essentially in California or out of New York or Europe. I really just didn’t have the time to continue to devote myself to trying to resolve the many considerations that were in his life. The last time I saw Michael was right before his trial, although we spoke many times after that. He was a bit meaner at that time; he was so furious and so disappointed at the charges being hurled at him. He swore to me that he was absolutely innocent of each and every charge that was made against him. And that’s the way it turned out. I think the legacy of Michael Jackson will endure for many years to come. Ultimately, the negativity surrounding him in the press will dissipate. He will be more acknowledged and respected for the musical genius that he demonstrated, and that legacy will survive our decade and the ones to come. Our children will rediscover Michael Jackson again many years from now, and be amazed that he created the music that he did, the style of dancing that he did, and more importantly, the wonderful charisma that he generated.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida held the 2009 InterContinentalMiami Make-A-Wish Ball Garden Party, a private cocktail reception for 200 of South Florida’s leading philanthropists. The intimate gathering was held at the private Palm Beach area estate of lifetime benefactors Al and Nancy Malnik and was the first event of the year in honor of the highly anticipated annual ball.

“We are very fortunate to have such dedicated individuals in attendance year after year, whose support has proven as strong as ever in these hard economic times,” states Shareef Malnik, Gala Chair of InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball.

Guests at the garden party included Norman Wedderburn, President/CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida; Jack Miller, General Manager of InterContinental Miami and Gala Host of the IC Miami MAW Ball; Shareef Malnik, owner of The Forge restaurant and returning Gala Chair of the IC Miami MAW Ball; James Ferraro, of The Ferraro Law Firm and Wish Benefactor of the IC MAW Ball. Special celebrity guests included designer and 2008 IC Miami MAW Ball Nightclub’s fashion show host Richie Rich, champion boxer Bernard Hopkins and burgeoning singer/songwriter Jamie Jo Harris. Guests mingled oceanside and enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and live entertainment by The King’s Academy Jazz Band and Choir.

Usually, when VIPs and celebrities gather, we know to expect an opulent atmosphere emphasized by a lavish dinner, elaborate cocktails, and the country’s A-listers dressed to the nines. On November 10, this exact depiction took place at the InterContinental Miami, however there were a few exceptions. First, there was a charitable reason behind it all, the 13th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish ball, and second, there was an exceptional host, Sharon Stone.

The big screen femme fatale and off-screen philanthropist was the soirée’s definitive highlight, aggressively seducing the attendees as well as their hefty wallets. Stone captivated the crowd with a touching story of how a young girl with HIV asked Stone to grant her wish before beginning the auction. Accordingly, she went to work by firmly stating, “You’ve got the money and I’m going to get it!”

Stone also played a major role in the highly anticipated auction of the night: the offering of her vintage black 1985 Rolls-Royce. The highest bidder, Jim Ferraro, bought the car for $160,000, which included a case of vintage Dom Pérignon, a bottle of Rémy Martin Louis XIII, Tiffany & Co. crystal champagne stirrers, and seven key chains carefully stored in the car’s trunk.

Another prized item up for auction was a Ferrari F430 F1 Coupe donated by The Collection, Miami’s premier luxury car dealership. The car collected the highest bid of $240,000 from Dr. Roger Medel, CEO of Pediatrix in Miami.

With more than 900 guests spanning from socialites to philanthropists, the ball was packed. Notables included Scottie Pippen, Mike and Alicia Piazza, Al Malnik, Rob Van Winkle (aka Vanilla Ice) and South Beach diva Elaine Lancaster. Guests enjoyed a lavish five-course Hollywood-themed gala dinner while Triton Productions wowed the crowd with a video presentation beamed onto a circular video screen. The video montage featured welcome speeches by 2007 Ball Chairman Shareef Malnik and President/CEO of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida, Norman Wedderburn.

Ms. Stone truly fulfilled her goal, as the star-studded event was one for the record books, raising $1.5 million for terminally ill, young children across South Florida. Wishes at the event were bought at $5,000 each, with real estate mogul Jim Ferraro buying a record 40 wishes at a total of $200,000, emerging as the star donor of the event for the second year in a row. Following Ferraro was Market America’s CEOs J.R. Ridinger and his wife, Loren, who purchased 20 wishes.

“We are overwhelmingly delighted that our 13th Annual InterContinental Make-A-Wish Ball has managed to raise a record amount of money for our children,” Wedderburn said. “The money raised this year beats last year’s amount by more than $600,000. These generous funds will go toward granting hundreds of wishes for underprivileged children throughout South Florida. I would like to particularly thank my good friends Shareef Malnik and Jack Miller for their continued hard work, personal support, and friendship.”

In the 13 years that the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball has been conducted, more than $6 million has been raised to benefit the South Florida branch of the organization. The ball is the perfect excuse for a night of fun that is ultimately a rewarding experience for all in attendance.

Al Malnik Interview with Merideth Viera on the Today Show 070109

Merideth Viera- You know, I look at the images you have offered to share with us this morning, both still photos and the videos, and its clear that yours was a place where Michael felt he could come and relax and take the masks off his children, both literally and figuratively. What are some of the fondest memories of the time he spent with you and your family?

Al Malnik- Well, there are so many stories. As I’m sitting here I just thought of one. At a dining room table, which is sitting right next to me, we were having dinner one night and Michael mentioned how fond he was of Louis Armstrong,  and I said Michael, that’s extraordinary that you said that, because the dining table here, that we’re having dinner on, was once Louis Armstrong’s table and chairs in New Orleans. He broke down and sobbed. Michael was filled with humility, sensitivity, reverence and respect for anyone and everyone. And most of all the love that he had for his kids equalled the love that he had for his fans.  He just was a guy that was beyond amazing and it’s just sad to hear all the spurious stories that have been created about him.

MV- You know, Alvin Malnik, I’m struck by the photos, or the video actually, that was shown in Mike’s piece that was taken at that supermarket. You took Michael Jackson to a market in the middle of the night so he could do what everybody else does normally, just go shopping, and how much fun he had there. And it seemed to point out to me how isolated he must have been in his daily life to get such a thrill out of this. Did he ever talk to you about the loneliness he felt?

AM- He said loneliness is part of his obligation, because he really felt he had a God given talent that he was required to share with the world. And that’s what he did, and a part of that was for his personal loneliness to suffer. He was well equipped and agreed to do that.

MV- You know, I get the sense looking again at these images that his children seem well adjusted, at least the pictures show them to be well adjusted. Is that the way they came across to you?

AM- Not only well adjusted,…great story- You know I asked him, I said to my staff you have a lot of extra work with the kids staying here, do we need some extra work efforts on your part? They said there isn’t any extra effort. Michael’s kids clean their rooms, they make up their beds, polish the mirrors and they take care of everything, and he (Michael Jackson) said that’s the way I bring up my kids and that’s exactly what they did. Each and every morning Michael’s children, their first chores before breakfast were to clean their rooms.

MV- Are you concerned about the kids welfare right now? I mean they just lost the only parent they’ve ever known.

AM- Yes I am, but I think the Jackson family love these children just as they loved Michael, and I have no doubt at the end of the day the kids are going to be fine and they’re going to be well provided for.

MV- You know Al, there were reports that at one point you had claimed to be Blanket’s biological father. Do you want to set the record straight here this morning?

AM- (Laughs) Yes, it would be very interesting (for people) to realize that I didn’t meet Blanket until he was two years old, so that would really qualify as a Ripley (Believe It or Not) event, I think. Of course I’m not the biological father.

by Jose Labiet – Page 2 Live

With the great unwashed frolicking on the beach below, philanthropist Al Malnik had nearly 200 swells at his palatial Ocean Ridge digs for a Sunday afternoon party to benefit his pet charity, the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Malnik and his wife Nancy welcomed the likes of: middleweight boxing world champ Bernard Hopkins; designers Richie Rich and Baby Chic (don’t ask); Bernie Madoff victim Jerome Fisher (who’s rumored to have “lost” $150 million); liquor mogul Harvey Chaplin; Mel Harris, former CEO of AIG, and his wife Fran; and others.

The party was poolside at Malnik’s 38,000-square-foot beachfronter, and not too many will blame him for not leaving folks outside. His place, appraised by the property appraiser’s office at a deceivingly low $19.8 million, is probably worth twice as much if you factor in what’s inside.

Malnik’s basement, for example, contains an Asian art collection that includes sculpted mammoth tusks and one Chinese ivory sculpture that features 8,000 different characters, all with a different face.

Next year, Malnik plans to move his rarely seen collection in the 18,000-square-foot  manse he’s building next door — “Something with a nice rec room for the kids,” he says.

Photos by Michele Sandberg

Alvin Malnik graduated from Soldan High School, St. Louis Missouri

It’s only fitting that St. Louis-born entrepreneur, Alvin I. Malnik, hails from a place that has experienced as much change as his future business destination – Miami Beach.  Born in 1933, Malnik began his public school education at Clark Elementary School and graduated from Soldan High School in 1950.

The St. Louis public school system enjoyed a century of firsts:  Central High, opened in 1853, and was the first public high school west of the Mississippi;  Sumner High School, opened in 1875 was the first public high school for Black students west of the Mississippi, and the first public Kindergarten in North America opened in St. Louis in 1873.

During the 1900s St. Louis continued with their list of “firsts” when the Educational Museum, which featured articles purchased from the 1904 World’s Fair Palace of Education, opened in 1905.  In  1943 the museum turned into the the first audiovisual department in the United States.

Alvin Malnik graduated from Washington University, St. Louis Missouri

The internationally known entrepreneur continued his education at Washington University in St. Louis.  Malnik graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the university in 1954 before relocating to South Florida to attend law school at the University of Miami.