Boy, oh boy. There’s more drama surrounding the Jackson family. According to reports, Michael Jackson’s 14-year-old daughter, Paris, got into a scuffle with her aunt, Janet Jackson, on July 23 because Janet told her niece she had to stop posting family information on Twitter. Janet physically tried to take Paris’ cell phone from her, but she wouldn’t give it up. So someone called the cops.
This all occurred after Jermaine, Randy and Janet Jackson tried to physically remove Prince, Paris and Blanket Jackson from their house in Calabasas, Calif., to take them to Arizona, where their grandmother lives. Apparently, the kids didn’t want to leave. Now, Jermaine, Randy and Janet Jackson have reportedly been barred from the house and the children’s attorney, Margaret Lodise, is going to court to file a motion for an individual to take temporary guardianship of the children until all of this can be resolved. I hope the kids are OK.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Oscar-winner Denzel Washington hit Chicago on Saturday to see his wife, Pauletta, as she made her Goodman Theatre debut in “Crowns,” written and directed by Regina Taylor. Other VIPs on hand for the performance were Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, Chicago White Sox GM Kenny Williams and the Bears’ Israel Idonije. “Crowns” runs through Aug. 12.
The 13th annual Original Tee Golf Classic (OTGC) once again brought a diverse group of golf enthusiasts together for a competitive day on the green. This year, OTGC honored the legendary George “Iceman” Gervin. Sponsored by CIROC, the NBA, Mercedes-Benz, Pepsi and Converse, the festive affair, which took place at Wild Turkey Golf Club in Hamburg, N.J., raised nearly $8,000 for cancer and wellness for Golf to End Cancer.
I’m headed out to East Hampton for Cadillac’s the Art for Life 13th annual Garden Party Gala on July 28, to be held at Russell Simmons’ posh East Hampton estate. This year, the gala will be hosted by CNN’s Soledad O’Brien and TV personality and Rush Kids auctioneer Star Jones. There will be special performances by the legendary Anita Baker, Salt-N-Pepa and Diggy Simmons. The 2012 honorees include Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon, Tamia and Grant Hill and Marc J. Leder.
I moved to New York City on July 4, 1977. Three days later, there was a blackout and the city went dark. I was scared to death and had nowhere to eat. A guy suggested to my friend Paula Collins that we go to Sylvia’s Restaurant in Harlem.
I said, “But there’s no electricity. How can they cook?”
He told us, “Trust me.” And he was right.
As soon as we got there, Sylvia Woods was behind the counter cooking. It didn’t matter that the lights were out. She said they had refrigeration. Somehow the stove was working and we proceeded to chow down. That was 33 years ago and I am still chowing down at Sylvia’s. Through the years, I grew to love Sylvia as if she were my aunt. I love going in there after a long workday and watching her various children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all ending up there around dinnertime.
My friend Irene Gandy once said: “People who try to say the Black family doesn’t exist need to eat at Sylvia’s and they will see it’s alive and well.”
On July 19, Mrs. Sylvia went to heaven to join the other angels. Oh gosh, I miss her so much, but her legacy lives on, and I know that as long as I can breathe, I will always have somewhere to get a great meal and find wonderful fellowship.