Manzos Vindicated, Caroline Supports Rescue Ink, Kim G Drops out of Beauty Pageant

Sweet vindication came for Albert and Caroline Manzo this weekend. Last month, Al came under fire from the Christie administration for allegedly using a false address (his Paterson business) on his application for a seat on the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission.

After a firestorm of international media, Al resigned stating he didn’t want to bring negative attention to the board.

According to northjersey.com, “records just released by the Christie administration suggest that Manzo, a Paterson restaurateur and husband to a star of ‘The Real Housewives of New Jersey,’ did have a legitimate residence at his eatery, The Brownstone,” Record reporter Jeff Pillets wrote. “In fact, Manzo fully declared his living arrangement to the Passaic County superintendent of elections in 2009. A subsequent investigation by two investigators from the county elections board concluded that Manzo’s primary residence was a fully furnished apartment above his popular restaurant and catering hall.”

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Caroline is hosting a Family Italian Night fundraiser for Rescue Ink, on May 2, at The Brownstone. Rescue Ink is charity that battles animal abuse and neglect that supports other existing animal-welfare agencies and shelters. All money raised at this event will go towards supporting Pack Ethic, a rescue and rehabilitation center within an intimate home setting on 25 acres of land.

Tickets are $75 and available through the Pack Ethic and Rescue Ink websites.

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And while we're on the subject of Caroline, did you read her glo.msn column this week? She gives this advice to a recent college graduate, who is discouraged in today's job market: "If I've learned anything in this life it is to go with the flow. Sometimes things don't happen as planned, and you need to adjust and bend with the 'roadblocks' that are prohibiting you from achieving your goals." 

Doesn't she always give the best advice?

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The Manzo boys, Chris and Albie, are hosting a monthly brunch at the W hotel in their new home Hoboken, and their first week out was a huge success.  As  About Town columnist Alan Skontra put it,“Around 1 p.m. on Sunday, the club felt the same as it does at 1 a.m. on a Saturday.”

 The brunch series will run the third Sunday of the month through August. For $35 guests get a four-course meal. Alcohol is not included in the price. 

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Unless you live in a cave behind Franklin Lake, you've probably heard that Season 3 of the Real Housewives of New Jersey is starting May 16 and Teresa's sister-in-law, Melissa Gorga, and first cousin, Kathy Wakile are joining the cast.

Want to know more? from Bravo on Kathy, who lives in Wayne.

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RHONJ's Teresa Guidice and her daughters will be walking in a charity fashion show at on April 30 at 6:30 to 9 p.m. The show will feature some of Stage Left's spring and summer fashions.

A portion of the proceeds raised will go to the March of Dimes foundation, plus all women’s clothing is 50 percent off and all children’s clothing is 20 percent off.  To attend, RSVP by April 29 to info@stageleftusa.com.

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Jacqueline Laurita is also supporting the March of Dimes, as the 2011 March for Babies Honorary Chair. 

Funds raised in March for Babies will help benefit programs, such as Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait, a community outreach program aimed to reduce elective c-sections before 39 weeks gestation for adequate brain, heart and lung development.

Team Laurita has committed to raising $50,000 in the May 1 walk.  To help reach that goal, several fundraisers are planned. 

Faces Plus in Wayne, NJ is running a Purple Hair Extension Campaign to benefit the March of Dimes and Team Laurita.  Extensions are $10 and all proceeds will be donated to the organization.

 On April 28 at Nisha Nails & Spa in Wayne, we will host a Meet & Greet with the Real Housewives of New Jersey.  With an admission fee of $15, guests will receive wine, hors d'oeuvres, complimentary massages and discounted services at the salon.

To sign up for March for Babies (or to support support Team Laurita's fundraising goal) visit www.marchforbabies.org. 

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Dina Manzo’s Project Ladybug is hosting its Fifth Annual Ladies Night Out, Wine, Women & Shoes, on Monday, May 23, at The Brownstone in Paterson. To make a reservation for the evening of fashion and compassion, visit www.StJosephsHealth.org/LadiesNightOut or call 973-754-4411.  

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A few weeks back, we reported that Kim Granatell was going to be competing in the Mrs. New Jersey Pageant. Last week, nj.com reported that Kim G backed out of the competition. 

"I'm bowing out, I'm not going to do it," Granatell told Adam Robb at the Jersey Journal. "I got feedback from an anonymous source that the contestants are not happy there's a possibility I can win."

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Former Franklin Lakes resident Dwight Gooden was sentenced to five years probation last week, for the 2010 DUI on Old Mill Road. Gooden currently lives in Old Tappan.

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In case you missed last week's big news: Dina Manzo has a new Reality TV show coming out called Dina's Party, where she will help a family to throw a fabulous party each week.