Dr. Maya Angelou - "A Song Flung Up to Heaven"

Guy B. Johnson & his Mom, Dr. Maya Angelou

"Perhaps it is just as well that you do not write an autobiography.
To write memoir as literature is almost impossible." James Baldwin Those were the very words that motivated Dr. Maya Angelou to write,
"I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings".

Marguerite Johnson - Maya Angelou burst upon the American scene, April 4, 1928.  Mother, Author, Poet, Dancer, Film Producer, Tony Award winner and Grammy Winner. She did it all before laying down with our ancestors on May 28, 2014.

Dr. Maya Angelou =
Strength, Courage, Wisdom

Dr. Maya Angelou attended my Alma mater,
George Washington Sr. High in San Francisco, CA

I love this photo of Dr. Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King +NASDAQ 

Dr. Maya Angelou's Autobiography
"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"

"When people tell you who they are, believe them." Dr. Maya Angelou

Dr. Maya Angelou

These are MUST READS written by
 Dr. Maya Angelou -
"I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings",
"A Song Flung Up to Heaven"
"The Heart of a Woman"
Video -
"Blacks Blues Black" (A Series of 10 -1 hour programs on the impact of the various African Cultures on arts/music/life -  episodes written and produced by
Dr. Maya Angelou on KQED, 1968)

When I read the book, "A Song Flung Up to Heaven", it took me places I'd never been before. As with all of Dr. Maya Angelou's works, I've learned and grown so much.

Thank you, Dr. Maya Angelou for all of the words of wisdom that you've shared with me as a teenager in San Francisco, CA at the beautiful Herbst Theatre. I really appreciate you sharing your brother, Bailey, and son, Guy B. Johnson's life with me, allowing me to ask how they were doing and knowing that I was sincere.
Those two men were so real to me - and I was only 16!
Thank you for being a light, shining so bright in this world. Words can be so healing....R.I.P. Dr. Maya Angelou . My condolences to Guy B. Johnson.
Love & light,
Carla

What Memorial Day Means

Each Memorial Day, it's a time for me to reflect on my life. There are so many people who have died in the line of duty, serving the USA. So many men and women have survived the atrocity of war. Wars started because of religious beliefs, love of ones Country, betrayal of friends - this is never ending. One war after another, War of 1812, WWI, WWII, Vietnam War, Iraq War - Operation Desert Storm, etc.

My Dad is buried @ Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, CA 

In The Navy
My Dad was in the Navy, and served the USA during the Vietnam War. His ship docked in San Francisco during the 60's. They would dock in San Francisco, so far away from Chicago, Il, where he was raised.
My Dad was proud to be in the Navy, and took all of his missions seriously, not telling us why he was in Cuba, or China - just sending gifts to my Mom. My Dad said that the trips/missions were classified.
He loved being an American, and took his military expeditions to the grave.

Sitting on the Doc of the Bay
Yes, my Dad was "Sitting on the Doc of the Bay". He met my Mom, they got married, and the rest is history. I was born in San Francisco, CA - the 31st State to be admitted to the Union, at Letterman General Hospital located on the Presidio Army Base - right near the Golden Gate Bridge. This was after my Dad had served his time in the US Military. It all seems like yesterday when my Dad would take us to
Golden Gate Park to play - everyday. We were happy children, and knew that our Parents loved us, and made sure that we had well balanced lives.

Letterman General Hospital., located on the Presidio Army Base,
in San Francisco, CA 

Life
My father was in a terrible car accident that rendered him a quadriplegic he lived, paralyzed from the neck down, for 31 years. Every year, he showed us all why we should be grateful for life.
He died September 18, 2001, from complications due to his major organs shutting down.
R.I.P. Daddy.
My Dad taught me to appreciate life - be grateful for the little things in life, like touching ones nose, or scratching ones head. My advice? Value others. Learn to forgive and Live.Your.Life.....Pray for Peace - (Daniel 2:44, Rev 21:4, 5)

Truly with love & light,
Carla

Beverly Hills Heritage - A New Preservation Group in Beverly Hills!

Educate. Advocate. Celebrate.

Los Angeles Conservancy  celebrated the launch of a new preservation group for the City of Beverly Hills - Beverly Hills Heritage! What an honor to have at the helms of Beverly Hills Heritage, Native Californian ~ A truly remarkable, kind, super intelligent woman from Beverly Hills, Kimberly Vinokur-Reiss  - and staff! Congratulations!

Juanita Palacios-Sims said that the event was in full swing when she and her husband, Oliver arrived, and there were so many people there to celebrate the momentous event, held at Partners Trust Real Estate, Beverly Hills - how wonderful! On hand to celebrate the launch of Beverly Hills Heritage was
The Honorable Mayor Lili Bosse, who looked absolutely fabulous - as usual!

For more information on how you can share in the conservation of the beautiful City of Beverly Hills via Beverly Hills Heritage, please visit their website: BeverlyHillsHeritage.org  on Facebook: BeverlyHillsHeritage on Twitter: @BHHeritage 

Rosemary Hilb, Kimberly Vinokur Reiss, Founder, President, Beverly Hills Heritage,
The Honorable Mayor Lili Bosse and Annette Saleh. 

Mrs. Kimberly Venokur-Reiss, and her
brilliant husband, Mr. Ben Reiss

Far left to right: Kimberly Vinokur-Reiss,President, Founder, Beverly Hills Cultural Heritage Commission,  Rebecca Pynoos, Beverly Hills Cultural Heritage Commission, Trudi Sandmeier, Director, Graduate Programs in Heritage Conservation USC School of Architecture, Rich Waldo, Chair- Beverly Hills Cultural Heritage Commission, Maralee Beck, Vice-Chair, Beverly Hills Cultural Heritage Commission, Noah Furie, Beverly Hills Cultural Heritage Commission, Lili Bosse, Mayor, Beverly Hills, Bill Crouch, Urban Planner, City of Beverly Hills, Cindy Olnick, Director of Communications, Los Angeles Conservancy, Carol Lemlein, President Santa Monica Conservancy, Adrian Scott Fine, Director of Advocacy, Los Angeles Conservancy, Holly Kane, Masters of Historic Preservation/Lecturer, USC, Steven Keylon, The Cultural Landscape Foundation. 

 Mrs. Juanita Palacios-Sims, Founder, CEO, International Society of Black Latinos(ISBL.org),
Editor At Large, RodeoDriveLifestyles.com ,
and her lovely husband, Mr. Oliver Sims

Kimberly Vinokur- Reiss, Founder, President, Beverly Hills Heritage
and Fauna Hodel, Author, Film Producer - Fauna's Charity Sizzle Report

Water Sommelier Martin Riese and John Gluck Founder, President
Beverly Hills Drink Company9OH2O

Photography provided by: Stephen Russo, GCS Productions  |
 Zale Richard Rubins 2014 | Beverly Hills Heritage 501(c)3          Catering Provided by: Bristol Farms | Water Sommalier: 9OH2O 

A special Thank you to Juanita Palacios-Sims and her husband, Oliver Sims for being the kind, thoughtful people that you are!

Truly, Carla

Jazz in The City ~!

Now is the time to put on your jazz pumps and get on over to Beverly Hills for some outstanding Jazz!
It's time for you to experience the melodic sounds of be-bop as it's floating in the air!

H.O.M.E. Beverly Hills  
Live Entertainment showings 7:30 pm and 9:00 pm, Wednesday - Saturday 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm -
Sunday Live Jazz Brunch - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: 430 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

The Montage Beverly Hills -
Check out @JeromeADean  live!

Listen to some awesome Jazz @MontageBH  with
Jerome A. Dean - A First Class Performance every-time!

225 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Nic's on Canon Drive
453 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Crescent Hotel - Jazz on Thursdays -

See you there!
Truly,
Carla

Mother's Day @ Scarpetta Los Angeles @ The Montage Beverly Hills

It's no secret that Chef Scott Conant has been throwing it down in the kitchen, at Scarpetta Los Angeles - located +Montage Beverly Hills since 2010. I tell you, it's Italian Food with Soul!

The food is so good until you would want to pick up your bread and sop up the sauce on your plate!
Now, that's where I recommend you take your Mother, for Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you women who step up to the helms and nurture children - your own and others. All children need Mothers, and love is the key to making them well rounded.

Enjoy this wonderful day with your Mother @ Scarpetta at The Montage Beverly Hills!

Chef Scott Conant - Scarpetta Los Angeles @ The Montage Beverly Hills 

With love & light,
Carla