CALUMET CITY | The stores within the River Oaks Shopping Center plan to have a fashion show later this month to raise money for charity, and one alderman urged his government colleagues to cooperate in the event.

Alderman Thaddeus Jones, 3rd Ward, said Thursday he will be a part of the Oct. 17 event in the shopping center's food court from 2 to 4 p.m. Carson Pirie Scott and the Limited are the two stores taking a lead in coordinating the event, to be held at the mall, 96 River Oaks Center Drive.

For his part, Jones will be a master of ceremonies for the fashion show, although he used a portion of the most recent City Council meeting to urge Mayor Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush and his aldermanic colleagues to consider being models in the event.

"I would ask the mayor and the aldermen to walk down the runway," Jones said.

His colleagues were noncommittal, although 6th Ward Alderman Nick Manousopoulos burst out laughing rather loudly when he heard of the request.

Jones, who has been an alderman for 12 years but has said he would like to run for a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives in next year's elections, said the event's duties will not be new for him.

"I've done this kind of thing before," Jones said, adding he will be serving as a "host" of sorts for the event, which he thinks will be conveniently staged for people who happen to be at the shopping mall on the day of the event.

"You literally can eat and watch fashions all at the same time," Jones said.