“When you do nothing, you feel overwhelmed and powerless. But when you get involved, you feel the sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make things better.”
~ Pauline R. Kezer
The Obama campaign just launched a new one-stop voter registration Web site called Vote for Change. You can check your registration status, register to vote, look up early-vote information for your state and apply to vote by absentee ballot or even find your polling place.
It's the easiest and most important thing you can do to bring the change we need. Make sure your voice is heard: http://my.barackobama.com/vfc
“You have powers you never dreamed of. You can do things you never thought you could do. There are no limitations in what you can do except the limitations of your own mind" ` Darwin P. Kingsley
The fifth DST CUP golf tournament sponsored by the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., recently held at the Pine Ridge Golf Course was a huge success. The rain didn’t dampen the spirit of the golfers as they made their way to the 19th hole where a delicious bull roast was waiting for the golfers. The sun came out just in time for the golfers to dine on the patio overlooking the beautiful golf course. Congratulations to our 16-year-old golfer Jessica A. Jennings for hitting the longest drive and taking home a trophy. Jessica’s dad Larry Jennings was her partner. Looks like a future LPGA player in the making.
“Celebration time come on.” It’s your birthday. Happy Birthday to you Morgan Glaze, Glinda Harris, Joan Bryant, Karen Chase, Deloris Gilliam, Jeanne Jones and my “pride and joy” grandson Damien Richard Lee on his 21st birthday.
“Morning, noon and night” I was in “the spotlight” at Maceo’s celebrating my birthday. “You are the wind beneath my wings.” I sent an e-mail to friends saying I would be at Maceo’s starting at 2 o’clock so my retired friends who don’t like to be out late and the golfers could stop by after tee time. I was not having a party; just having drinks with anyone who wanted to stop past Maceo’s to celebrate my day. I called Dante and Candes on Monday to say that I would be there with a few friends starting at 2 p.m. He asked me what I wanted him to serve. I told him my favorite smothered pork chops. I arrived promptly at 2 pm to start my celebration. By 2:20 the party was jumping. Dante was speechless. He said, “Ms. Val I thought you said about 20 or 25 people.” He kept smiling and got busy serving and preparing for the throngs that just kept coming. “It’s growing.” By 3:30 you couldn’t move. I mean people just kept coming and coming and coming. We partied as Little Richard said we were gonna “rip it up.” The word had spread and it was on. “Party people yeah yeah yeah.”
Dante served salmon with a delicious sauce and fried chicken wings for appetizers. Later he set up a scrumptious buffet with smothered pork chops, rice and gravy, string beans and more fried chicken. We ate, we partied and we talked, and it just kept getting better. When the buffet was over, as people were coming they were ordering from the menu crab cakes, pasta and many other food items.
“I ain’t jiving, I am jamming.” By the time people got off from work it was standing room only. Just stopping for drinks turned into a full-fledged party. I looked around and my sorority sisters were coming in, including our friend Sen, Cathy Pugh, I looked again and the Friday Night Bunch was coming in, then my friends from City Hall were coming in. 5 Mile House was in the house, the old Sphinx Club crowd was there, too. Maceo’s was well represented and it was a virtual who’s who among “just friends.” It was “Unforgettable.”
“You are so beautiful to me.” I can’t name everyone who was there. You all are special to me so if I can’t name all of you I won’t name any. But “I want to thank you girl,” my daughter Lisa Lee Packer who drove in from Fairfax Station, Va. to surprise me. “Round Midnight” the crowd was dwindling to a precious few. We had come to “the end of the road” and we knew “It’s time to go now.”
“ I just called to say” Thursday morning a tired, exhausted and smiling Dante called, thanking me for celebrating my birthday at Maceo’s and for the opportunity to meet my friends. But I believe I should thank Dante and Candes for being “So Wonderful.” I have supported a lot of businesses and its rare for one to call and thank the customer. “Teach me tonight” business owners. Take notice from this young couple. Don’t take your clients for granted. I know Maceo Paysour is smiling because the old Maceo’s Restaurant and Lounge is “back on the block.”
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“That’s Amore!” Doni Glover, founder of DMGlobal Communications hosted about 40 business entrepreneurs at “Vellegias” in Little Italy to provide networking opportunities for business owners. Each guest gave a brief presentation about their company and distributed their business cards. The featured speaker was Donald Fry, president of The Greater Baltimore Committee. Other guests in attendance were Dr. Carolane Williams, president of The Baltimore City Community College, Marty Glaze vice president of Commercial Interiors, Dr. Barney Wilson principal of Poly High School, the Rev. Medgar Reid and his wife Dr. Stephanie Reid of The Reid Stress Management Center and Marsha Reeves Jews, president of The Bliss Street Group. The speaker who received a “standing ovation” was the godfather himself Ray Haysbert, a prominent Baltimore businessman, celebrated Tuskegee Airman, former owner of “more park sausages mom please” and The Forum Caterers. The forks were suspended in mid air as Ray Haysbert shared information concerning his illustrious career, providing the guests with valuable information on becoming a successful entrepreneur.
The food at Vellegias was delicious. I selected the spinach lasagna with a veal, beef and pork sauce which was highly recommended by our server. Several guests selected the salmon franchesco served over steamed spinach. Can you believe they don’t serve Amstel but the Italian beer Peroni was excellent. Looking for great gelato? They have 24 flavors. Naturally, I tried my favorite, mango. After the meeting several of us had drinks at the spacious bar which is the focal point of the restaurant. The bartender was great and before we knew it he was serving us grey goose in our gelato. What a great and refreshing taste.
“Savor the moments that are warm and special and giggly." Sammy Davis Jr
Family, friends and former co-workers gathered at Martin’s West to help Carole Jackson celebrate her retirement from the Social Security Administration. Living for the Weekend wishes Carole the best. Now this will allow Carole more time to enjoy traveling and spending time with her adorable grandson, a junior usher at New Psalmist.
“Ain’t nothing but a party yall.” Party is exactly what we did at the recent BOB (Best of Baltimore party) hosted by The City Paper at the Museum of Industry on Key Highway. The annual party showcased Baltimore’s restaurants, shops, theaters, clubs, etc. that the readers voted the best of Baltimore in the City paper. More than 3000 guests walked along the promenade on the water’s edge overlooking the harbor lights under a cool summer breeze. There was dancing outside under the gazebo, inside the museum and along the walkways. There was plenty of food, drinks and music and entertainers everywhere. People were “dancing in the street.” The food was delicious, catered by Mother’s on Charles Street next door to Cross Street market. The menu consisted of shish-ka-bobs (OK chicken on a stick) delicious pastas, grilled vegetables, a heavenly crab dip and so much more, including butler service with the wait staff passing assorted items. This event is one of the best parties I attend, the eclectic crowd is alive and energetic, a bunch of “Happy People.” Don Farley, the publisher of City Paper for more than 20 years was greeting the guests and thanking them for attending. I informed Don that I enjoy this annual party and that I firs