“It is something to be able to paint a particular picture or to carve a statue, to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look. To affect the quality of the day-that is the highest of arts.”- Henry David Thoreau
“If we do not realize that the time is now, the time will never come.” Angela Davis
Was it just “yesterday,” I woke up and suddenly it was spring? Was it just a couple of days ago when the cherry blossoms were in bloom? When we celebrated Texan Barbara Foreman’s sexty birthday at her beautiful home in Greenbelt with such great friends, it was a kick-off to her big bash in Austin, Texas, as only Texans can do. Didn’t we just celebrate opening day and a win against the Yankees? I guess it is true, “spring can really hang you up the most.” And now it’s the unofficial beginning of summer “and the beat goes on.”
One party after the next. it’s a rough life but somebody’s got to do it. Tuesday night we partied with Elizabeth Smith at the Bay Café as the cool breeze whistled through the palm trees. The deck was loaded as guests danced to the music. It was great seeing my niece Nykindra Robinson, sorority sisters Olivia Bailey, Elexis Bond, Michele Reynolds, Andrea and Scott Givens, Antonio Hayes, owner Goose, City Councilman Bernard Young, Del. Nathaniel Oaks, Del. Talmadge Branch and Ralph Gilliam, who was ecstatic. His granddaughter had the second highest SAT score. “Those were the days.” City Councilman Warren Branch took me “back down memory lane” reminding me my “best friend,” the late Clarence Du Burns, introduced him to me when he was 14. Had a chance to talk to Michael Mfume about the expansion of the Roost (Lake Trout) he’s planning to open a Lake Trout downtown with seating. “I feel good.” The children I knew in their youth have grown into successful and productive adults and still remember me.
“Do not save your loving speeches for your friends till they are dead; do not write them on their tombstones, speak them rather now instead.”- Anna Cummings
On Wednesday afternoon the Wednesday Sportsmen partied at the Lamp Post on Rolling Road to celebrate the 70th birthdays of several friends. It was also a surprise bon voyage party for Mildred and Dickie Harris. They were scheduled to go on a cruise two days before Dickie broke his arm. I thought it was the last supper those guys had so much food, from ‘tater salad to pig feet, brisket of beef, spare ribs, fried chicken, collard greens, crab soup and more. When John brought the yat gaw mein (yakame) with ketchup and eggs the crowd was hilarious. Different taste to Yakame at 2 p.m than 2 a.m sitting on the curb eating it.
Thursday our group Power 5 Entertainment hosted Black Out Thursday Happy Hour at Little Havana. It was the perfect opportunity to network and party with the movers and shakers and trendsetters in Baltimore and D.C. After the happy hour we went next door to Tabrizi’s where Sharita Oaks, Shane and Traci hosted an evening bash. Arriving as the party was ending, I was overwhelmed with the warm greetings I received. I’m glad I stopped to see such “happy people.”
“You’re all I need to get by.” Suddenly its Friday and “with every beat of my heart” I am whipped. But the thought of seeing the Friday Night Bunch brought a song to my heart, “It’s the freaking weekend I’m bout to have me some fun gimme a toot toot, gimme a beep beep.”
It was a great 50th birthday party Saturday for Panamanian twins Gustavo and Octavio King.
"Most of us have just learned to exercise our survival muscle. It's time to build our victory muscle." - Iyanla Vanzant
The Baltimore Housing Authority is accepting applications. Contact the director of human resources, 417 East Fayette St. or e-mail resumes to jobs@habc.org by May 29.
Happy birthday to “my buddy” Dr. Marie Washington. We recently dined at Sullivan’s. They have great steaks, lamb chops and escargots, my favorites. The staff is excellent. Thursday is a hot night at Sullivan’s for looking over the harbor and listening to the jazz combo playing old standards. It felt like “April in Paris.” I thought I was at Maxim’s in Paris or Regine’s in New York.
It’s celebration time for Jayne Felton, attorney William Dorsey and pilot in training Jackie Washington. Happy birthday, friends.
The Light of Truth Center, Inc with One God One Thought Center is presenting an evening with Iyanla Vanzant on June 24. . The theme is, “Living in challenging times: We can do this!” For tickets call 215-269-6870 or www.bethelight.eventbright.com
I received a beautiful e-mail from Bea Scott on the death of Venus Welch Harris, an avid pinochle and tennis player. I last saw Venus at Bea and Pat Scott’s house on election night. Angels deliver this former educator to heaven’s gates; fly over Wimbledon as she executes her final serve. Check for the pinochle deck in her pocket with her Venus Rules book on card playing. Tell Arthur Ashe and Althea Gibson to be ready, another star has entered the horizon.
“What a difference a day makes, 24 little hours.”
People ask me how I do so much. My response “there are 24 hours in a day, everyone has the option on how they use their hours, I choose to use mine Living for the Weekend.”
“I’ll be there.”
Valerie & the Friday Night Bunch
A luta continua