“Hang onto the world as it spins around just don’t let the spin get you down. Things are moving fast hold on tight and you will last. Keep your self-respect, your man, the pride. Get yourself in gear, keep your stride never mind your fears brighter days will soon be here. Take it from me someday we will all be free. Keep on walking tall, hold your head up high and lay your dreams right up to the sky. Sing your greatest song and you’ll keep, going, going on.” Donny Hathaway
“The times they are a changing” Bob Dylan
June 26, 2015 will be remembered as a day of life altering events. President Obama’s heart-rending eulogy for the Rev. Pinckney and his singing of the old gospel standard “Amazing Grace” had seasoned Bishops and clergy giving him a standing ovation as he showed his human and spiritual side; the Governor of South Carolina declared the confederate flag will come down and hours later Bree Newsome was arrested when she climbed South Carolina’s state house flag pole and took the flag down; the Supreme Court made a landmark decision that same sex couples have a right to marry anywhere in the United States. It was a feel good day. The kind of day that had people proudly saying, “I’m glad to be an American.”
“We have such a long way to go and so much more fighting to do; so I hope nobody stops and thinks everything’s ok because it isn’t. But, it’s days like today, and moments like this that we’ve all gotta have a drink and celebrate how far we have come. I couldn’t be prouder to be gay.” Sam Smith
The champagne flowed for hours as hundreds of friends and patrons of Mt Vernon’s City Café stopped pass to congratulate my longtime friends, City Café owners Gino Cardinale and Bruce Bodie, a couple who recently celebrated their second wedding anniversary, marrying after Maryland agreed that same sex couples could marry. The celebratory atmosphere continued throughout the evening as people cried, cheered and debated the 5-4 decision. The consensus of the group was it’s not just gay rights but human rights that we celebrate.
“Love won.” Ellen DeGeneres
I asked Gino how he felt when the decision was released after many years of waiting and he said, “I’m proud to be an American”.
“I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.” Kahlil Gibran
Congratulations to history-maker Phil Strambler, the first Black commander in the 80-year history of American Legion Post 122 in Owings Mills. Phil, a Viet Nam Marine Corps Officer, is the CEO of the In Honor of Our Troops (IHOOT) Foundation, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that provides programs that reconnect active-duty military and veterans with their families, following war, injuries and long separations. The foundation’s Vacations for Vets Program has provided rest, recuperation and therapeutic healing for thousands of families as they reestablish healthy family relationships.
“And I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free and I won’t forget the men who died; who gave that right to me.” Lee Greenwood
As Commander his responsibilities includes managing a substantial budget, recruiting new members, and providing support for the Sons of the American Legion and the Ladies Auxiliary. To book an event or inquire about membership call (410)363-1696.
“Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious.” Stephen Hawking
BAATC under the leadership of community activist Lou Fields in support of Mayor Rawlings-Blake’s One Baltimore program is hosting #Support Baltimore Black Business Initiative July 9 at the Arch Social Club. To register for this informative session send an email to loucfields@gmail.com.
When my former co-worker announced that he was leaving his good government job to pursue his dream in Los Angeles we wished him success as he took the leap of faith. Since then he has performed with Mariah Carey and other stars and now Gerald Pringle is bringing his summer love experience to town August 2 at Magooby’s in Timonium. For tickets, call 843-810- 6965 or www.geraldpringle.com.
Happy birthday to you! Jake Oliver, J.Wyndal Gordon, Lawrence Banks, Carroll Burnett, Tobias Allen, Bishop Durant Harvin III, Monique Jones, Valerie Mattison-Brown, Essie Wright, My Man Bill Massey, Marion Johnson, The Honorable Ike Leggett, President Bernard Young, Pastor Frank Reid, Wanda Watts, Doni “Bmorenews” Glover, Jaqueline Lampell, Marco Merrick, Jason Newton and Betty Greene.
Dan and Del Henson’ hosted a party during the OrioleIndians game at Camden Yards to celebrate the 13th birthday of granddaughter Bryanna Henson. Guests enjoying he Orioles win were family and friends, including cousins Kyla, Kierrie, Kennedy Fernandez, Savannah, Cedric, Katie and Tabitha Kolb; classmates Emily, Mallory, Tristan, Ethan, Aidan and Sean; maternal grandfather, Jim Kolb, her father, Darren Henson and mother, Kristy Kolb. Also enjoying the Orioles and celebrating were Frank and Marcia Coakley, Joy and Ron Owens, Eric Henson, Chantel and Orlando Fernandez, Betty Greene and Phil Strambler. Among the assortment of ballpark food served in the suite were hotdogs, pizza, nachos, chicken filets and a Tiffany blue birthday cake.
“Charlie, Last Name Wilson” will be up close and in person at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park Museum for a VIP Reception and the signing of his book “I am Charlie Wilson.” This event to benefit the museum will be a great opportunity to take photos and talk to Uncle Charlie on Thursday July 9, 2015. For more information, contact Mjews@ douglassmyers.org.
“I’ll be seeing you in all familiar places.” Valerie and the Friday Night Bunch