“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important; have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” Steve Jobs

“Guess who’s coming to dinner?” Katherine and Reginald Harris hosted a Dining 101 dinner party at the home of Beverly Collet. The art-filled apartment boasting a picturesque view of Druid Hill Park’s reservoir provided the perfect setting for the seven-course meal. Beverly, a world trained chef, served mouth-watering appetizers, entrées and desserts which dinner guests Dr. Estelle Brown, Eugene “Reds” Hawkins, Willard D. Wright, and Dr. Valeria McIntyre said were scrumptious including the Jell-O cream pie.

“Spectacular achievement is always preceded by spectacular preparation.” Robert Schuler

Run Ray Rice Run, what a great way to start the new year! “Monday morning quarterbacks” or Doubting Thomas, the spectacular performance New Years Day by #27 Ray Rice was awesome. Not only did Ray “get the party started right” with the 71-yard touchdown, he took it to the bridge and ended the way he started. Go Ravens Go Ray Rice!

“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” Dale Carnegie

“Making a difference,” was the theme at the Baltimore Silhouettes’ Oldies but Goodies brunch at the Forum to benefit their scholarship program. Freddie Vaughn and Dr. Chantelle Teasdell the chair and co chair of the event, presented me with their first “Rising Star Award” for my involvement and contributions to the community.

For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: Luke 12:48

I humbly accepted this great honor, quoting an excerpt from Langston Hughes “life for me ain’t been no crystal stairs” and reminded the guests that we should all live according to Luke 12:48. Howard Tutman III, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Eastern Province Pole-march delivered a riveting speech. The guests were delighted when they received a CD with old school sounds. In attendance were past scholarship recipient Amanda McCain and Dr. Thelma Daley 16th National president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

When you retire, you switch bosses – from the one who hired you to the one who married you.”  Gene Perret

The retirement of Deputy Associate Commissioner of Operations Randy Abrams from the Social Security Administration after forty years of service has left a void that will be unmatched. Randy’s spirit, honesty and integrity, a rare ingredient that set him apart from most people in the business community. Randy probably knew every employee in ODO’s Security West and Metro West Buildings. He was never too busy to assist employees or just chat; staying hours at the end of the day listening to anyone who needed his assistance. When word got out that Randy was retiring, the gloom that settled in the building was thick. I asked Randy why now; in Randy fashion, he said Val I knew it was time when employees started saying, hey, Randy my mother said hi, my grandmother said hi, or do you remember my father I realized that I had been here quite a while. If more top-level administrators would adopt a page out of Randy’s book “what a wonderful world this would be.” God Speed to Randy and his wife Mary remember, “the best is yet to come.”

“The Dream is not what you see in sleep, dream is which does not let you sleep.” Abdul Kalam

Congratulations! 12-year-old chess prodigy Justus Williams, the youngest African American national chess masters champion in the country.

“Our aspirations are our possibilities.” Samuel Johnson

The Big Sisters Club of Baltimore presented Western High graduate, Isha Beazer a scholarship during their annual scholarship luncheon at the Radisson Hotel in Cross Keys. Isha is pursuing a degree in pharmaceuticals at Towson University to become a pharmacist. Bib Sister members are Iris Williams, Madora LaForce, Irma Givens, Lilyan Slater, Catherine De Ford, Pearl Holland, Loretta Byers, Elizabeth Cooper, Flora Johnson, Vivian Burnett, Willa Bauldin, Veronica Dixon, Beverly Glover, Peggy Hargrove, Sydney Lee. Joan Ledbetter, Alice Rasbury, Brenda Ransom, Jacqueline Smith, Bertha Townsend, Kimberly Yancey, Ernestine Press and Big Sisters’ President Charlene Cooper Boston.