Happy Born Day, President Obama!

...Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise, I rise, I rise - Dr. Maya Angelou

Summer Hiatus ~

Ms. Eartha Kitt ~ 

Dear Readers, No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. I've been taking a little break. I've been so busy shifting so many gears until it's not even funny!

This summer's been filled with so many wonderful things, and I've met some really interesting people on this journey called life. So, please hold tight, and know that I have really good things to share with you regarding the 6th Annual Leimert Park Village Book Fair, The Queen Mary Exhibit of Princess Diana's treasured items,  The  West Coast Urban Ballroom Gents 2nd Annual Black and White Affair, R & B Concerts,
as well as visits to some wonderful exhibits (as well as deaths. I know, doesn't sound like good news, but Home Comings count as all apart of the Cycle of Life)  and so much more!

Touch bases with you soon!

Love & light,
Carla
(Photo of Ms. Eartha Kitt is the sole property of cmgworldwide.com - no copy-write infringement intended)

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot - Official Trailer

Luther Vandross - There's Nothing Better Than Love (Music Video) HD

Oh how I miss Luther Vandross and Gregory Hines ~

Martin Luther King Jr. - A Legacy

I got up first thing this morning and made note of all of the things that I am grateful for:
 1. Waking up this morning 2. Having my health and strength
3. Knowing the true God Jehovah 4. Knowing thy-Self 5. Staying conscious 6. Having a great support system i.e. family and friends
7. Being capable of loving 8. Helping others
9. Being able to laugh, sing and dance and love!
10. Knowing what is real and what isn't.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Stood for something. He rocked the world with his greater since of mutual respect for all of humanity. He lived his life, making conscious choices, working towards "the greater good" of mankind. He preached the importance of judging one by the "content of their character" - not their skin type. That is deep.

Thank you, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and those that marched with you, and those that existed before you,  that paved the way so that I can try and make this place a better space for the generations that follow...

I got up this morning,  April 4, 2012, got all dressed up and listened to some Stevie Wonder and had a glow and an inner smile in my heart. Reflecting on a day, not so long ago, that my friend Debbie came by my office and we went to lunch - Italian food. Debbie is conscious of the ugliness that has plagued this nation for generations, racism, a disease that has caused the demise of so many people. So, my friend Debbie, brought me a flower, to celebrate MLK's B-Day. We, as friends, are living the  MLK Jr. Dream. She and I smiled and reflected on the fact that not so long ago, 30 years ago or so, we could not have shared the same table. Why? Because she is a blond hair blue eyed white
(Anglo-Saxon descent) American, and I am an black (West African descent) American.
Today it was not even an issue as we entered the restaurant in Beverly Hills, CA.,  and sat down to
"break bread". Now, that's progress!

Today, due to the many sacrifices of so many black, white, red, yellow and brown Americans -
we can sit down to a meal and not get arrested. We can live together as neighbors and not harm one another. You see, as fellow human beings, we have more in common then we have differences.
Let's think about how we can come together and let go of the hatred that is being stirred up like embers from a flame that burns in a low undertone here in the USA, and just when it looks like the flames have died, someone waves the flames, hoping to re-ignite the fire. Enough.
Let's reflect on the life one man, that died in the name of progress, so that you and I can live and work, shoulder to shoulder, helping one another, not trying to destroy each other.

Let's have more respect for one another, be patient with one another, feed one another kindness - shall we? 

Love & light, C
(updated/edited/from a 2/09 post | no intentional copyright infringement.)

Watts Coffee House - Best Fried Chicken and Salmon Croquettes in TOWN!!

Chef/ Owner of Watts Coffee House, Desiree Edwards

There is  a remarkable woman behind the scenes, making things happen in the kitchen and in the community - who might that be? Desiree Edwards, Owner and Chef, makes sure that every dish sent out of her kitchen is hot, delicious and memorable! Every dish that is prepared is made with love!

Watts Coffee House

When was the last time that you had Salmon Croquettes, made from scratch, with real Salmon?
(Not Mackerel disguised as Salmon...)

Lena Cole-Dennis was so right about the food and the service, so this morning I got up and drove to the Watts Coffee House and had a wonderful breakfast! I had fried chicken, grits and eggs with pepper jack cheese, and a nice cup of caramel macchiato coffee. Oh so good!

Thank you, Desiree Edwards, and your outstanding Staff for a wonderful way to start my day!

Love & light,
Carla

 |Watts Coffee House @ 1827 E. 103rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90002|  Hours -  Tues - Friday, 8:00am - 3:00pm, Sat. 8:00am - 1:00pm, Sun 10:00am - 4:00pm| 323.249.4343|  Follow on Twitter @WattsCoffeeHouz| Facebook

Come Rain or Sunshine, KaBoom! Builds New Playground in Inglewood, CA!

At dark-thirty (early am) this morning, my Cousin Rhonda and I met up at North Park,
611 Hargrave St., Inglewood, CA 90302, the latests park selected by KaBoom!, who partnered up with The City of Inglewood, sponsored by The J. Willard And Alice S. Marriott Foundation.

How many people knew that David Marriott, grandson of J. Willard & Alice S. Marriott, was leading the helms, with shovel and tools in hand, to re-build the playground for the children in the Inglewood community?!
The City of Inglewood, Sabrina Barnes, Director, Park, Recreation and Community Services, and her staff, kindly greeted each and every volunteer, along with representatives from Senator Steve Bradford's office,  assisting them in signing in and getting to the designated area where the staff @ Kaboom! readily awaited us!

There was a remarkable woman that got us all started with a very good warm-up -
Zumba! Zumba! Zimba! - style, along with stretching our hands up to the sky and criss-crossing around the park - oh yes, we were doing the darn thing!

KaBoom! requested 200 + volunteers, and it was wonderful because so many people showed up to help. Keep in mind that it's been raining cats and dogs these past few days in Southern, CA., and wouldn't you know it, this morning was truly another beautiful, predictable sunny California Day!

Kaboom! and the City of Inglewood and General Managers from the Marriott Hotels around the globe showed up, from New York, Switzerland, Bangkok, India, Polynesian Islands,  and the United Kingdom, just to name a few places, jamming to the beats of an excellent DJ - physically assisting in building the playground from the ground up. Seriously! These men and women worked tirelessly to create a park that the children in the neighborhood would love!
After all, the children in the community attended a meeting, and got a chance to draw their dream playground, and out of all of the schematics, Option # 2 won!(See photo to the left).

The next time that you and yours are out and about, and walk or drive by a really nice playground, just think - "How can I make sure that all children have the same opportunities to play in a nice, clean, safe place?" Then click on to the KaBoom! link and make a donation and volunteer to help build a park near you. Come rain or sunshine, you can be the change you want to see...

Love & light,
Carla