We Are Growing Higher and Higher!

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Juneteenth Festival Celebrations - LA and San Francisco Style!

There is so much to see and do this weekend! If you are in Los Angeles, stop on by Leimert Park and celebrate their 5th Annual Juneteenth Festival! (Emancipation Proclamation) And San Francisco's 64th Annual Juneteenth Festival!

Historical Perspective: President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, Juan 1, 1863 - abolishing slavery in the United States. It was during the month of June, 1865, that commemorates the abolition of slavery in the United States of Texas
(2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Why? Because Texas wasn't having it.)
After the war ended, news traveled very slowly through the Southern parts of the United States of America, African Americans were indeed,
F-R-E-E-.

African Americans were freed from

captivity - 15 generations of a people - human beings, classified as human capital, chattel
(cows, horses, pigs)
These human beings, held in captivity, were used as labor, building what we now know as this beautiful enterprising country called America. Come, celebrate Emancipation Proclamation - in Los Angeles and
San Francisco this weekend!
Truly, Carla

Monday, June 9, 2014

Jazz in Beverly Hills ~ It Don't Mean A Thing, If It Ain't Got That Swing!

Did you know that there's a series of Concerts on Canon Drive? Conveniently located in the
Beverly Cañon Gardens , every Sunday....Oh yeah.....

Next Jazz Session? Thursday, June 12, 2014, 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm ~
Don't miss Jazz vocalist Amanda Castro, of The Amanda Castro Band,
featuring New Orleans style Jazz,and Blues, from 1920's and 1930's ~ With some Latin influence -
In Full Swing!

Jazz Vocalist Amanda Castro

"The Amanda Castro Band is not just a performance, it's a show!" ~ One of a myriad of The Amanda Castro Jazz Band Fans!

Smooches,
Carla

The Beverly Canon Gardens, located at 241 N. Cañon Drive, adjacent to the Montage Beverly Hills Hotel ~ 225 N. Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Photograph taken from Amanda Castro Band's Facebook Page - Please "Like"

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Sunday Mornings in Beverly Hills

It's Sunday morning, and it's high time to get up and take an early morning walk throughout the city of
Beverly Hills. Make sure to stop by the Beverly Canon Gardens, located at 241 N. Canon Drive -
It's so beautiful!Next stop? Head North on Beverly Drive, and walk on over to the historic Lily Pond,
one of the City's first landmarks - which is located at 225 S. Canon Drive...lovely.

Beverly Canon Gardens, adjacent to the Montage Beverly Hills -
Absolutely beautiful!

Beverly Gardens Park - Lily Pond

Enjoy your Sunday!
Love & light,
Carla

(photos credit: City of Beverly Hills website)

Thursday, June 5, 2014

WKRP in Cincinnati - Thirty-Fifith Anniversary ~ Re-Union in Beverly Hills @ The Paley Center For Media

WKRP in Cincinnati! Do you all remember that T.V. Show? I use to love it!
What are you all doing this evening (6.5.14) @ 7:00 pm)?
If you're in the Beverly Hills area, please stop on by The Paley Center For Media, and become a part of the WKRP in Cincinnati
Re-Union in Beverly Hills ~ We are delighted to welcome the entire cast to the City Beverly Hills!



Hugh Wilson, Creator/Executive Producer,
"WKRP in Cincinnati"

In Person Tonight @ 7:00pm

The entire cast of "WKRP in Cincinnati"

Howard Hesseman, "Johnny 'Dr. Fever' Caravella"
Loni Anderson, "Jennifer Marlowe"
Tim Reid,
"Venus Flytrap"
Jan Smithers, "Bailey Quarters"
Hugh Wilson, Creator/Executive Producer

Loni Anderson, "WKRP in Cincinnati"

It's going to be such a lovely evening! I hope that you can join in on the fun!
For tickets and information - 465 N. Beverly Drive| Beverly Hills, CA| 90210
+The Paley Center for Media | 310.786.1000

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

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

Monday, May 26, 2014

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

Friday, May 16, 2014

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.