dutch’s 4th birthday is this weekend and he has been talking about it for months. months. what he wants to do for his birthday, the party he wants to have, all the toys he needs and then there’s this new thing…pointing to every daggone number 4 he can find.
in the mc’donald’s drive-thru: “mommy, see that four right there?”
driving down the road: “mommy, there’s a four!!”
house searching: “mommy, there’s another four!!!”
on the remote there’s a four. on the car radio there’s a four. on my cell phone there’s a four. on tv. the clock. microwave.
apparently four’s are everydaggonewhere and i can’t escape them.
he’s excited about this whole new age.
i’m a little sappy about it.
because after all, he’s my baby and he’s growing up too daggone fast. soon he’ll be off to college and dating some chick that he wants to marry…one that i probably won’t like.
i asked him this morning if he could slow this growing up thing down a bit and he said he would.
the pampering junkies make over the traditional pamper party for a cause in a refreshing and unique event called “the pynk feathers and wellness treasures expo.” this event is designed for women, to raise awareness for breast cancer and lift spirits, and launches in the dc metropolitan area this weekend. it’s a blissful day of pampering, enlightenment and exercise with licensed wellness, spa, beauty, and fitness professionals taking place this saturday, august 29, 2009, 12:00pm to 6:00pm at studio 10, 2828 10th st nw, washington, dc.
the event has attracted co-sponsors such as target, while a portion of the proceeds benefit look good feel better, a public service campaign serving cancer patients.
“i decided to produce this event to promote breast cancer awareness and better health practices in women after losing my aunt two years ago to breast cancer at the early age of 41,” said the ceo of the pampering junkies, stephanie mckenzie.
the pampering junkies is a network of professionals in the beauty and health industry that promote and facilitate wellness for the mind, body and soul through unforgettable events and experiences.
so come out and partake in informative sessions with guest speakers on health issues as well as indulge in facials, massages, aromatic foot soaks and make-overs. belly dancing, afro-brazilian dance, and yoga classes are available too. you can also enjoy a healthy menu and soft drinks which will be served throughout the day.
early access and registration is from 11:00am-12:00pm and the expo is 12:00pm-6:00pm.
i’m late than a mug gettin’ this up, but here goes…
big tigger’s 3rd annual hiv/aids ride for life teams up with rfk stadium and six flags america for the ride’s kick-off and grand finale event on sunday, august 23, 2009. over 2,500 bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts are expected to gather at rfk.
in other words, if you’re a biker, be there or be square.
big tigger will lead the convoy of riders on the designated route to six flags america in upper marlboro, maryland. this event hopes to raise community awareness of hiv/aids.
ride for life will begin at 8am in lots 6 and 7 at rfk, this year six flags america joins the partnership and will host the grand finale event which will include presentation, cookout and full day of fun for the entire family. riders are expected to arrive at six flags america around 1pm and enjoy a private cookout, ride for life vendors, and an afternoon of music and entertainment.
to participate in this year’s event, riders may pre-register online at street corner foundation, big tigger’s site or at wpgc’s site. the registration fee of $30 includes the ride, the grand finale event and cookout and six flags america.
last night i was on twitter and a woman tweeted how much she likes queen latifah’s version of “moody’s mood for love.” no disrespect to ms. latifah ’cause i love, love, love her, but well, i’m a dc girl and in dc there’s only one version of “moody’s mood” that matters…the one that chuck brown and the soul searchers recorded.
“in dc chuck’s version is a classic!” i told her.
and it’s probably my absolute favorite chuck joint so i had to stand up and mention it. or “tweet” up anyway.
many go-go lovers probably don’t even realize that “moody’s mood” is not even chuck brown’s but was originally created in 1949 by jazz saxophonist james moody and the lyrics weren’t added until 1952 by jazz vocalist eddie jefferson. it became a hit when king pleasure released a vocal version in 1954. since then, it’s been covered by several different artists over the years.
so anyway, after schooling girlfriend on chuck (’cause she’s from chi-town) i woke up this morning to adimu and joe clair on wpgc (”sitting in for the vacationing donnie simpson.”) talking about chuck brown celebrating his 73rd birthday this saturday, august 22nd with a free concert at 9:30 club. and not only that, the godfather is getting his own daggone STREET named after him - chuck brown way. so not only is this a birthday celebration but a street sign unveiling as well.
gotta love it.
many, many, many folks in the metro dc area know, love and respect what the legendary chuck brown has done and is still doing for go-go music. that’s right, crankin’ at 73!
chuck came on wpgc and talked about shining shoes for a quarter as a kid and poppin’ into the howard theatre on 7th and t streets in nw to see ella fitzgerald and john lee hooker. he obviously was influenced by the best and in turn has given dc the best. howard theatre is being restored, by the way, and greats quincy jones, the o’jays and dick gregory are a few who sit on the honorary board.
i mean really, what would the chocolate city be without chuck brown??
without “bustin’ loose,” and “we need some money,” and “day-o,” and “midnight sun” and “stormy monday” and “run joe” and countless others??
once upon a time i worked as an editor at sister 2 sister magazine and over the 10 years i was there i interviewed and met all kinds of people like wyclef, jay-z, aaliyah, big pun, the original destiny’s child, 50 cent, p.diddy when he was still puffy, luda…
but there were only a handful of people that i was truly excited about meeting (even though interviewing maxwell did have a sista swooning. i can not lie! hahaha). those were the people whose music i could listen to and it would take me to a specific time in my life. people i actually adored and listened to over and over and over again. people like mary j. blige, luther vandross, howard hewett, utfo’s kangol kid, queen latifah and of course, dc’s own chuck brown.
woowee, i was siced that day! haha…
so thank you chuck brown for creating wonderful music that makes people happy. for introducing old blues songs like t-bone walker’s “stormy monday (but tuesday’s just as bad),” which was actually released in 1947, to youth who probably wouldn’t have given the song the time of day otherwise. for inspiring the masses to dance their butts off ’till they’re dripping with sweat at the go-go and at jazz festivals.
you are truly an original.
happy 73rd birthday and big ol’ fat congratulations on having a street named after you. you definitely deserve it.
“it don’t mean a thing, if it don’t got the go-go swing…” - chuck brown
my husband is a very picky eater. (i mean, really… who doesn’t like bread or ketchup??)
and dutch, well, he’s picky to the 1005th degree.
drives. me. nuts.
the other night i cooked chicken, rice and cabbage for dinner.
see this pic below?
do you see that 1/18th of a cabbage leaf that’s on the spoon? that’s all that i asked dutch to eat.
and here’s his response:
mama: dutch, just try it, buddy. you’ll love it!
dutch: no, i won’t. i never tasted it before and i don’t like it.
mama: how do you know if you don’t like it if you’ve never tasted it. just eat that one little piece on the spoon, that’s it!! i just want you to try it.
dutch: i don’t like it.
mama: you need to eat more vegetables.
dutch: i do eat vegetables. i eat carrots.
mama: [mind you, he hadn't had carrots in about two weeks.] okay, well, you need to eat other vegetables too.
dutch: mommy, i eat carrots. they’re in my tummy. go in the room and get the binoculars and you will see the carrots in my tummy.
please tell me that vegetables aren’t really all that necessary in a 3-year-old’s diet.
have i mentioned before that i’m not much of a cook?
well, i’m not.
and i think it’s because i’ve been missing a key ingredient!
the fabulous apron.
i bet you any amount of money that once we move into our grand new home, and i put on my fabulous apron that i have yet to buy, i’m going to turn into mrs. fly cooking woman.
i bet you.
oh yeah, i dream big, honey.
and i know just where i’m going to get it.
anthropologie ’cause they’ve got some of the flyest stuff.
and yes, he’s got a funky fresh hawkie!
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