February is here, and with it comes an abundance of things to capture our hearts, minds and attention. There’s Valentine’s Day (my fav), President’s Day (yeh, a holiday), the anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X (so somber) and a whole month to celebrate Black history.
Most recently, I heard a youngster say with sadness how other cultures have so much they can be thankful for, what do we have? Shocked at the statement, I reminded her that the Black race is a mighty race, having withstood so many inhumanities while having made a tremendous number of contributions to civilization throughout history. Africa is the birthplace of civilization, and it is from whence the ancestors of Black Americans originated. There is a lot to be proud of, if only we can remember.
Remembering the past and looking forward, Astrologyzone.com features a short video on the 2016 forecast for the year ahead. In the words of astrologer Susan Miller, make hay while the sun shines, as February and March are the months to get things done. Beginning in April, straight through September, all of the major planets will be retrograde.
To fully understand what that means, just think of what it means to put on your favorite pajamas and climb into your comfy, cozy bed for a long night’s rest. It is one of those deep sleeps that even raging bulls couldn’t awaken you from. Without the stellar help, the best thing you can do, advises Miller, is to review, revise and relax; everyone will be in the same boat. By the last quarter of the year, beginning with October until year-end, the momentum will pick up, and all in all, it will be an interesting year. To learn more about the stars, check out the site.
The New York State Bar Association awarded the 2016 Diversity Trailblazer Award to Christopher S. Auguste, Esq., at the 13th annual Celebrating Diversity in the Bar reception. A partner in the New York office of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, Auguste counsels investors and represents clients in the private placement or public offering of debt and equity securities.
Think that is deep? He also, in his spare time, serves on the board of Goddard Riverside Community Center, which provides housing for senior citizens and the homeless, education centers for children and college access and counseling for New York City high school students. Wait, I’m not finished. He is also the president and an alumnus of the Wadleigh Scholars Program, which helps talented eighth graders gain admission to boarding school, and he serves on the board of YouthBridge-NY, which brings New York City high school students together for diversity and leadership training.
Among those listening and applauding all of these accomplishments were the Hon. Cheryl Chamber (Second Department, Appellate Division), Seymour James, Esq., and the Hon. Robert Reed (acting justice, New York Supreme Court). Previous awardees include Taa R. Grays, Esq., and Paul T. Williams Jr., Esq.
Among the Super Bowl specials, Chez Lucienne is holding court with a $24.99 special. Offered are a choice of platters featuring Buffalo wings, talapia tacos, fried calamari, nachos (topped with ground beef, red beans, cheese and jalapeno), and the classic game day burger, served with one glass of wine or beer. Sounds like fun if you only want to glance at the game and prefer to be amidst the camaraderie rather than in front of the big screen.
100 Black Men will host their 36th annual benefit, Guiding the Way for Future Leaders. Mistress of ceremonies for the event, which will be held at the New York Hilton Thursday, Feb. 18, is none other than Sade Baderinwa. Wow, I would attend just to see her in person!
Honored are George Brooks, United Parcel Service, president of UPS East Region; Cyrus Vance Jr., New York County District Attorney; Rodney Williams, Moet-Hennessey USA executive VP; Horace Barker, Morgan Stanley; James Peterson, Environmental Agricultural Training with Culinary Arts; and Monifa Banole, Momsrising.org. For ticket information or to purchase an ad, contact Jennifer Trehar at 646-651-1232 ext. 12. Be there or be square.
Here is some news just in. Firelight Productions announces “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution” will premiere on PBS Independent Lens during Black History Month, Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 9 p.m. EST (check your local listings). Over the next few weeks, the film will travel with Indie Lens Pop-Up to participate in more than 40 neighborhood conversations across the country. “The Black Panthers” is a historical documentary that enables deeper understanding of the contemporary social justice issues we face today. Tune-in with us on Feb. 16 and join the live conversation on Twitter via #BlackPanthersPBS.
According to Stanley Nelson, Firelight CEO, “Our aim is to get ‘The Black Panthers’ in front of as wide an audience as possible, particularly since 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of the party’s founding. Last year we had a successful film festival and theatrical runs; this year, in addition to our PBS premiere, the film is available on Time Warner On Demand and iTunes.
If you have seen the film in any format or venue, please share your reflections on social media and let your friends and family know that #BlackPanthersPBS is required viewing this Black History Month. All Power to the People, Stanley and the entire #BlackPanthersPBS team!” Now, you know.
The 2016 Winter Antiques Show was held Jan, 22 to Jan 31. The 62nd annual event opened, as always, with a private preview benefiting the East Side House Settlement, Eula Johnson’s baby. On display were 75 exhibitions of furniture, from antiques to contemporary; paintings, from Early American to modern; and rare books, sculptures, ceramics, rugs, jewelry, silver, bronzes and anything that had a inkling of antique to it. All of these antiques make a spectator hungry, so on hand were oodles of canapes, hors d’oeuvres and sandwiches. Guests didn’t know what to do—browse or eat. Luckily they were able to do both in the Robert Aronson Gallery, where on display was the monumental 17th century Delft Pyramidal Tulipieres, considered to be the largest pair of their kind on the open market since 1991. They sold that night to a private client for almost a million dollars. Wouldn’t you know it?
Until next week … kisses.