Go Jets and amazing Mets, and farewell to Derek Jeter, a class act both on and off the field.
I am sure I am not the first to say it, but at least let me be among those who do. Of the many accolades attributed to Jeter, the one that struck me the most stated that if a reporter said something negative about him or his game, he simply ignored it, but if a reporter said something positive, he became fully engaged. It wasn’t because he wanted to keep his head in the sand. Quite the contrary; he himself admitted to enjoying his mistakes so that he could learn from them. Jeter just chose to focus on the positive, to think positive, to act positively, to exemplify positive behavior, to draw upon the surrounding positive energy and to exude positive energy in return.
Not only positive but also absolutely ravishing was Regina Darby, who threw her daughter Tia an unforgettable 50th birthday party at her lovely Westchester mansion. The sound of laughter and merriment, and the popping of champagne corks, could be heard all night throughout the tastefully decorated rooms. Only someone with a bold and daring eye would dare paint a room red and have it look so warm and inviting. Guests roamed freely amid the rooms lined with art of the masters, or sat in the sun room, where tropical plants flourished, and there were comfy chairs and ottomans, allowing for a constant flow of stimulating conversations.
Among the many guests were Cal Ramsey; Vernon Manley; Janice Dye; Audrey and Gail Smaltz; Uncle Lonnie and Willy; Judge Raymond Bruce and wife Darlene; Lisa Downing with her mom, sister, Debra, and her husband, attorney Mootsie Roach; Shirley Scott; Florence Savage; vocalist Lorraine Muir, who has just returned from Amsterdam; and Barbara North.
I didn’t know Regina was a gourmet cook. The jerk chicken wings, peas and rice, string beans and cole slaw were just all so good. Grandson Aaron was most adorable as he passed around the meatballs and made sure everyone had what they needed, and he’s only 9 years old.
Happy birthday wishes also go out to Nina DeWees, Gwynn Wilcox and Bessie Johnson.
The October calendar is filling up fast so you would be wise to keep your social diary handy to avoid conflicts. The Metropolitan at 1975 Madison Ave. in Harlem is presenting “Harlem Nights.” There are free dinners every Tuesday and Thursday, beginning at 5:30 p.m., Bible study every Thursday at 7 p.m., free Wi-Fi access every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and computer lab access with Microsoft Office and high-speed Internet connections every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Friday evenings are reserved for the Girl Scouts, with divisions from grades K‒8, beginning at 5 p.m. The Friday night hangout “Just Be” offers young people of all ages an open gym, snacks, movies, video games and arts and crafts. If you need to know more, call Karen Davis at 917-747-8554.
Sharkgirl the Bunnyrabbit presents, “Men Say the Darndest Things: A Journey of Love and Relationship in the Big City in the New Millennium.” This new play by Patricia McCall-Scott, staring Erika Ewing, Trish McCall, Harvey Gardner-Moore and Vincent Shelley, with music performed by the Robert Rucker Project, is staged at the Black River Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Lenox Ave., now through Oct. 18. The play promises to inform, entertain and provoke thought. For ticket information, call 212-868-4444.
Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela will present “Ubuntu Music and Arts of South Africa,” Friday, Oct. 10, as part of the Carnegie Hall Festival. Guest artist Dave Matthews will also appear. Masekela is known worldwide as a legendary trumpeter, vocalist and composer. He, along with Vusi and Matthews, will celebrate 20 years of democracy and the end of apartheid in South Africa with this command performance. Showtime is 8 p.m.
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church will host a combined celebration of the instillation of its ninth rector, the Rev. Keith Johnson, and the church’s 250th anniversary. Festivities will take place Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Astoria Manor in Queens. The celebration will continue with the Homecoming Sunday Procession/Eucharist Oct. 12 at the 10 a.m. service.
Not all of the U.N. General Assembly’s activities were held downtown. The Isabella House, located on Audubon Avenue at West 190th Street, hosted an intimate lunch for its residents, with the guest of honor being the very distinguished Akie Aby, wife of Shinzō Abe, prime minister of Japan, and Kenichiro Sasae, the Japanese ambassador to the United States. As we all know, Caroline Bouvier Kennedy is United States ambassador to Japan, but she wasn’t there. Guests dined on baked chicken, mashed potatoes and string beans, with green tea ice cream for dessert.
The residential/retail property on the northwest corner of 135th Street has just been sold and could possibly undergo renovations. Currently, a Popeye’s Fried Chicken outlet occupies the corner store. Residents at Lenox Terrace are fighting tooth and nail to stop the owners, the Olnick Organization, from redeveloping several blocks between 132nd and 135th streets and between Lenox and Fifth avenues. The plan is to build two-story commercial properties along Lenox Avenue, a park for the residents within the complex boundaries and a few high rises thrown in for good measure. I am all for commercial development. The neighborhood could use some sprucing up, along with more jobs and better services. But a high rise on every corner is more than the hood can stand. Parking is already a nightmare, and the density of the crowds would transform the area into Times Square. Stay tuned as the battle continues.
Until next week … kisses