“Life isn’t a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ‘Woohoo WHAT A RIDE.’” -Anonymous
How does a nationally known jazz promoter celebrate her 80th birthday? She does it in style and Eleanor Janey’s children did at the Gala Center. “The party’s jumping.” Jazz greats Brad Collins, Greg Hatza, Marshall Booze, Andy Ennis and two young recipients of Rosa Pryor’s Musical Scholarship performed to the delight of the crowd. Eleanor’s daughters surprised her with a special performance by legendary dancer Maria Broom. Guests in attendance included; Arthur Hoffman, Darryl Green, Nellie, Juanita and Grafton Brown, Delores Chambers, Candy Brown, Miss Shirley Ball, Louise Wylie, Marilyn Hatza, Audrey Monroe, Beta Dotson, Jackie Brock, Sheila Ford, Victor Green, WEAA’s Big Jim, and Debbie who looked out for us seniors.
“You can observe a lot by watching.” – Yogi Berra, Rest in Paradise
Metropolitan United Methodist Church’s throwback themed bull and oyster roast had guest dressing old-school, wearing dashikis, bush hairstyles, poodle skirts and hot pants. The massive buffet of fried oysters, shucked oysters, clams, pit beef and other delectable food had people lining up. DJ Jerry Stamper kept the dance floor in full swing playing oldies and current music. Guests enjoying the evening were Dr. Geraldine Waters, Anton Sawyer, Phyllis Street, Bernice Jackson, Evelyn Chatmon, James and Patricia Morton, Sarah Holley, Gaines Lansey, Patricia Tunstall, Libby Massey, Ellen Chittams and Victor Holliday.
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women Baltimore Metropolitan Chapter hosted their annual Torchbearer Awards Breakfast at Martin’s West. More than 400 guests attended to honor Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake, States Attorney Marilyn Mosby, Laura Murphy, and Major General Linda L Sighn Adjutant General Maryland National Guards. Also in attendance were Michele Emery, National President of 100 Black Women, Jackie Richardson, Rita Cooper, Edna Smith, Dr. Marcia and Frank Coakley, Frank and the AFRO’s Diane Hocker, Marcine Britton, Cash Hester, Bonita, Goldie Wood, Dr. Thelma Daly, Dr. Anne Emery, Rosemary Atkinson, Karleigh Henson, Laura Knight, Donnice Brown, Arlene Wongus, Lois DeLaine and Dr. Patricia Schmoke.
“Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it’s a start.” – Anthony Bourdain
“Give me a pig foot and a bottle of beer.” You cannot get a pig foot at Dinosaurs Bar-B-Que located in Harbor East but you can get pork belly, spareribs, brisket and pulled pork with all the trimmings. The VIP reception had guests smacking their lips and licking their fingers over the best tasting BBQ with just the right amount of seasoning spices that tingled not singed your taste buds. The menu consisted of heaping helpings of spareribs, sliced brisket, BBQ chicken, coleslaw, Asian cucumber salad, baked beans, muffins, corn, and more. Guests were so full they were literally leaning and nodding as they marveled over the delicious food. Dinosaur BBQ founder John Stage, Joshua Lambert and Mark Pearson greeted guests Karenthia Barber, David Couser, John and Stacy Lee, Darnell Moses, Wendell Rawlings, Phil Allen and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings- Blake who welcomed Dinosaur BBQ to Baltimore. It was refreshing to hear the positive conversation on the reason they chose Baltimore as a home for Dinosaur BBQ and the love they have for the neighborhood kids, many whom they have hired.
‘Happiness is like a butterfly. The more you chase it, the more it eludes you. But if you turn your attention to other things, it comes and sits softly on your shoulder.” – Henry David Thoreau
Congratulations to Ali D. Culpepper, son of Loretta and Stan Mitchell, on his induction into the Varsity M Club at Morgan State University Athletic Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding athletic ability.
Happy birthday to my grandson Gregory Warren Packer Jr. on his 22nd birthday and happy birthday to Paula France, Chandra Jackson, Beatrice Williams, Steward Beckham, Rod Womack, Ralph Askins, Shawn Carter Peterson, Dana Moore, Janet Jones, Rev. Al Sharpton, Lonnie Spruill, Frank Coakley and Karen Hill.
“Love possesses not nor will it be possessed, for love is sufficient unto love.” – Khalil Gibran
Happy anniversary to Charles and LaTonya Queen and happy 50th anniversary to my longtime neighbors Russell and Ernestine Jolivet.
“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” Albert Pike
Sending our prayers and condolences to Martha Puryear on the death of her mother Catherine Scott; to the family of Dr. Ernest Hammonds; to the family of Dr. Ogden Belt; to the family of Joe Turner; to Jean West on the death of her sister Ellen Taylor; to Jean Dennis and family on the death of her brother Keith Fleming and to the family of the Honorable Walter Dean.
“I have to admit, like so many women, I always knew there was a chance. But like so many women, I never thought it would be me. I never thought I’d hear those devastating words: ‘You have breast cancer.” – Debbie Wasserman Schultz
October is National Breast Cancer month but for those who, like me, are survivors we celebrate everyday as breast cancer awareness day. Breast cancer is no longer the elephant in the room. Our knowledge and the ability to talk about it in mixed company, as the old folks used to say, has destroyed the myths. Take this time to talk about it with your friends and family, your coworkers and your playmates, your man and your husband. Be the personal ambassador for breast cancer, greet someone each day and say, “Good morning. Have you had a mammogram?” After they look at you as if you’re from outer space smile and say, “I did and it saved my life.”
“I’ll be seeing you.”- Valerie & the Friday Night Bunch
