Chances
are you’ll only celebrate one 50th birthday in a lifetime, so you might as well
pull out all of the stops the first time around and give it all you’ve got. So,
no doubt, was the thinking of Cass R. Miller, director of Chicago Housing
Authority’s Charles A. Hayes Family Investment Center (formerly the Packing
House) as he set into motion his golden year black-tie celebration. Some 300
family members and friends were summoned to Navy Pier to board the four-level
Kanan Luxury Cruise Ship for a Saturday night of fun and fellowship, dinner,
drinks and dancing, non-stop entertainment and to experience Chicago’s magnificent
and unique skyline up-close and personal amid unforgettable luxury.
Dressed in rich chocolate brown from
head-to-toe, “birthday boy” personally greeted each guest at the 6 p.m. Red
Carpet Reception with an individual photo taken which was presented as a
memento upon debarking at 11 p.m. At 7 p.m., the “blessing” was sung by Dwayne
Lee and Felicia Coleman-Evans, recording artists, followed by a “Prayer of
Departure” by Dr. Byron Brazier, pastor, Apostolic Church of God. Delicious
dinner fare was served by the uniformed P Events staff, an African American
catering firm. First-level diners were entertained by piano performances by
T.Cain; vocalist Terisa Griffin, held court on the second level; “Tribute to
Motown Greats,” on third level; and Reginald Torian, The Impressions’ lead
singer, and DJ Reg took over the fourth level for non-stop line dancing. Tipsy
Cakes prepared the obligatory birthday cake which was shaped like a ship. Upon
debarking, guests were given “goodie bags” which they filled to capacity with
assorted candies. Certain eye-catchers: center pieces of autumn-hued flowers
with colorful tiny fish swimming in the vases.
A virtual “who’s who”
made up the guest list, and even though trying to list them shouldn’t be
attempted – here goes anyhow: Ald.
Pat Dowell, Angela and Abe Thompson, Preston Harden, Doris and Michael House,
Josie Childs, Dr. Robin Jones, Commissioner Lula Ford, Rev. Darryl James, the
Tyrone Stoudemires, Dr. Dexter Arrington, Commissioner Mildred Clopton Harris, Juanita
Passmore, Atty. Stanley Stallworth, Dr. Waldo Johnson, Nemi Johnson, Gwen
Kenner Johnson, Lillian Seymour, Iris Thomas, Dorothy White, Hermene Hartman,
Bobbie Jones and Preston Harden.
From out-of town: Atlanta’s
Dr. Christine King Farris, Dr. King’s sister and vice chair and treasurer, MLK
Center; Dr. Angelia Farris Watkins, Spelman College; former Chicagoans Judge
(ret.) and Mrs. Walter Williams, Chattanooga; Dr. Maxie Miller Jr., Florida
Baptist Convention; Mervin Walton, Newark Housing Authority; Atty. Victor
Parker, Los Angeles; Kenneth Trenton, Dallas, and lots more. Wow! What an
unforgettable celebration!
Condolences
– to Dr. Robert Kimbrough, a long-time friend and dentist, on the loss of his
beloved spouse, Lueguster (“Gussie”), who died last week in their home in The
Villages, Fla., just days after her 91st birthday! The former Chicagoans (he
was a member of one of our town’s most prominent men’s social organizations,
The Midwesterners; she was listed among the Windy City’s “best dressed” femmes)
lived in the Jackson Park Highlands community of South Shore before moving
south.
I talked with Dr. Kimbrough
last week and a memorial service for his wife will be held in a few weeks.
Watch this space (“Teesee’s Town” in the Chicago Defender) for the update. Our
sympathy also to their daughter, Kim Comer (Mrs. Berlin) of Indiana; grandson,
Roger; and great granddaughter, Teyton. R.I.P. “Gussie.”
Gift of Health! – Attn:
siestas age 40-75! Learn to decrease stress, improve nutrition, increase
physical exercise and manage weight every week for two hours beginning
Saturday, 6 p.m., at South lawn United Methodist Church, 8605 S. Craggier. The
12-week session is led by Dr. Marilyn Green and Gayle Porter, directors of
Gaston & Porter Health Improvement Center; call (773) 734-7708.
Newsy Names –
Greg Hinton, a very special “brutha beloved,” leaves Chicago and U.S. Cellular
for the Democratic National Convention in D.C. to serve as chief diversity
officer responsible for diversity recruiting and supplier diversity as well as
for Democratic National Convention Committee and Democratic Congressional
Campaign Committee, the campaign arm of Dems in the House of Representatives.
You go, Greg! We’re happy for ya! ... Book Look! Think you know all there is to
know ‘bout rapper and actor Common (nee Lonnie Rashid Lynn)? Maybe not! He
tells all (?) in One Day It’ll All Make Sense, a candid and surprisingly
straight-forward auto-bio. He’s currently making rounds and signing copies at
bookstores and events across the country. Available at Macy’s, Barnes &
Noble, Amazon.com, et al ... Norm Bolden, owner of Norman’s Bistro, 1001 E.
43rd St., wants you to know his East Bronzeville high-scale eatery is now open
for lunch Wednesdays-Fridays, beginning at 11 a.m. and he hosts “live jazz” on
Sunday nights.
Happy b’day to
Corinne Gloria Jenkins-Harvey, Diann Burns, Michael Alan Stein, Victoria
Jarrett, Rev. Clifton Davis, Keith Caldwell, Christine Bowden, Maureen Moe Forte,
Suzanne LeMignot, Marshall Qualls, Hermene Hartman, Maurice Rabbi, Fr. George
Clements, Dr. Mari Anne Stallworth, Floyd Overall, Gail Lawrence Baker, Rev.
Luthetis Carey, Hazel Thomas, Catherine Boganey, Marzette Griffith, Hattye
Chapman, Lynn Richardson, Willie B. Cochran, Chef Eric Paul, Denise Corder
Hall, Raymond Ward, Glenn Cosby, Charles Hoard, Arlene Burke and Louise Hodges,
90, who celebrated “big time” at Leona’s on Stony Island ... Happy 4th
anniversary to Maizelle and Wendell Hutson ... Tom Finch, head honcho of
veteran audio-video producers, Finch & Associates, certified as a vendor
for White House Communications, was chosen to set the stage for a President
Obama fundraiser at the Sheraton Hotel hosted by the Obama/Bidden Campaign.
Vice President Biden spoke to Obama supporters to kick-off the event. Finch and
his crew handled all production including stage, sound, lights and decor. Finch
is often called on for event production throughout the Midwest.
Movie
Magic – A short film, The Truth, co-written and co-executive produced by
Chicago’s Atty. Randy Crumpton and directed by his pal, Hill Harper, award-
winning actor and author, premieres at the 47th Chicago International Film
Festival, Oct. 10, 6:30 p.m.; Oct. 14, 5 p.m.; and Oct.16, 11:45 p.m.; at AMC
River East 21, 322 E. Illinois St. (After many late work nights, unexplained
whereabouts and suspicious behavior, Carter, suspecting that his wife has been
unfaithful and demanding to know the truth, receives news that devastates their
marriage and forever changes their lives – while imparting an important life
lesson.)
The film
stars Diandra Lyle, Terisa Griffin, Dwight Eubanks, Jensen Atwood, Rockmond
Dunbar, Mel Jackson and Eric Lane. Co-executive produced by Kenny Johnson; co-produced by Sharon King and James
Ramos; co-written by Craig J. Harris. Call the festival hotline at
312-332-FILM; go to ticketmaster.com/chicagofilmfestival; or visit the festival
office, 30 E. Adams, weekdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; or www.chicagofilmfestival.com.
Scholars’
Dollars – Scholarships totaling
$10,500 go to seven academically qualified students Oct. 8 at the 35th
anniversary of the Ora Higgins Youth Foundation Awards Dinner at the Sabre
Room. Leadership Awards go to three Chicagoans who have make major
contributions to the growth and development of urban youth: Linda Washington,
retired counselor, Dunbar Vocational High School; Jeanette DiBella, principal,
Providence St. Mel High School; and Gloria Jackson, retired kindergarten teacher,
Dewey School, so say Jesse M. Reed, president of the Foundation’s board of
directors, and Barbara Cox, board member. Call (723) 928-9621.
Biz Buzz – City
Treasurer Stephanie Neely hosts a free day-long Small Business Expo, Oct. 7, at
UIC Forum with 33 business workshops, 125 exhibitors, 100 business experts,
3,000 small business owners and all topics requested by previous attendees.
Among workshops: Business Plan Writing, Branding, Marketing, Business Loans,
Website Development, Social Media for Business, Art of Networking, Powerful
Writing Skills, Money Management, Legal Smarts, Driving Website Traffic, Green
Business, etc. Pre-register by Oct. 4 at (312) 744-3360.
Copyright
2011 Chicago Defender
