Is it mid-January or what? Where’s the snow, sleet, below freezing temperatures? I just heard that the biggest iceberg ever is about to break free of the Arctic ice sheet. Really? There might be something to the theory on global warming. Think it is time to take the matter seriously?
Taken very seriously will be the conversation with Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin on the publication of the biography of their son, “Rest in Power: the Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin.” Hosted by the Episcopal Diocese of New York Anti-Racism Committee’s Speakers Series, the event will take place Wednesday, Feb. 1, beginning with a 5:30 p.m. reception, followed by the panel discussion from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Phillips Church, 204 W. 134th St. The Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, professor of religion at Goucher College, will act as moderator.
Although we know that Lenox Avenue is Harlem’s answer to Restaurant Row, Seventh Avenue is holding its own these days. I am dying to try Delhi Masala, the new Indian Restaurant at 123rd Street, which serves wine and looks very inviting. Adjoining are the Long Gallery, the Curtis Jacobs Gallery, A1 Asian Fusion restaurant (if you don’t care for Indian) and the Jah Seal Organic Natural Holistic Center. Rounding off the block is Natural Sisters African Hair Braiding, Weaving and Natural Hair Care. Should you choose to get in while the going is good, there is one store left for rent (212.860.5560), next to the soon to open Wine Gallery. If you really want to have a good time and hear some good music seven days a week (9 p.m.-1 a.m. weekdays; 9 p.m.-4 a.m. weekends) with no cover, then you absolutely have to check out Paris Blues, at the corner of 121st Street.
Whereas the Dee Art Gallery (126th Street and Fifth Avenue) will host an opening reception, Jan. 31, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., the Waldorf Astoria (50th Street and Park Avenue) is closing its doors Feb. 28. A beautiful place if only to walk through, if only to sit down, catch your breath, check your emails, the Waldorf is also the home of the Guerlain Spa (now you know my favorite hangout). The longstanding icon will be converted into condominiums. Can you imagine the Waldorf lobby being the lobby to your apartment building?
Condolences to the family of Henry Greenup, brother of the late Jeff Greenup and brother-in-law to Annie Greenup. Family and friends mourn the passing of Geraldine Wood of Philadelphia (1927-2017), a life well lived. I would be very remiss if I didn’t mention that the late Dr. Stanley Nelson is survived by his younger brother, Dr. Howard Nelson Jr., also a dentist; daughter Lynn Nelson and her husband, Gregory Smith, and daughter Jill Nelson and her husband, Flores A. Forbes; son Stanley Nelson Jr. and his wife, Marcia Smith, and son Ralph Nelson and his wife, Susanna Witte; five grandchildren, Sunshine Muse, Olivia Nelson, Max Nelson, Nola and Kai Nelson; and two great-grandchildren, Busayo and Bodhi Bird-Maqubela.
The Kerry James Marshall exhibit at the Met Breuer (Madison Avenue and 80th Street) will wind up its exhibition Jan. 29. So if you haven’t had a chance to see it, there’s still time. The art chronicles so much of African-American history, intertwined with American History, incorporated in Art history, on the black hand side. Marshall’s figures are all decidedly Black. This depiction is his artistic way of making a statement that Black people are part of the evolution—always have been, always will be.
Congratulations to Rowan D. Wilson on his nomination to serve as an associate judge of the New York State Court of Appeals.
As part of the ongoing #MBBAGives initiative, the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, in cooperation with Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, NYS Senator Jamaal Bailey, Council Member I. Daneek Miller, NAACP-MMB Criminal Justice Committee, Community Board 10 Public Safety Committee and Central Family Life Center, is hosting a Men’s Suit Drive for ex-offenders recently released from Rikers Island Prison Complex. The “Suited for Success” men’s suit drive will take place from Jan. 17 to Feb. 10, 2017.
Statistics show that within three years of release, 67 percent of released prisoners are re-arrested. The MBBA’s goal is to help recent parolees stay on the right path by making it just a little easier for them to find job opportunities. This drive would not be possible without the support of 100 Suits for 100 Men, which is a not-for-profit organization committed to reducing prison recidivism by assisting ex-offenders in finding gainful employment.
Clothes can be dropped off at any of the locations listed below. All donations should be clean, ready to wear and career appropriate men’s professional attire. In addition to suits, men’s dress shirts, shoes and ties are accepted.
For those unable to donate clothes and still desire to help, 100 Suits for 100 Men will be accepting financial donations on their website. For larger suit donations, please contact Kevin Livingston, founder of 100 Suits for 100 Men at 100suitsnyc@gmail.com. All donations are tax deductible. Clothes can be dropped off at any of the following locations:
Manhattan Community Board 10
215 W. 125th St., Fourth Floor New York, N.Y.
Phone: 212-749-3105
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Wednesday 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
NYS Sen. Jamaal Bailey 959 E. 233rd St. Bronx, N.Y.
Contact: Ranell Oglive Phone: 718-547-8854
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Council Member I. Daneek Miller
172-12 Linden Blvd.
St. Albans, N.Y.
Contact: Margaret Denson
Phone: 718-776-3700
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Office of Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams 209 Joralemon St. Brooklyn, N.Y.
Contact: Neil Johnson Phone: 718-802-3793 Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez 350 Jay St., Lobby Brooklyn, N.Y. Friday: 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. All other times contact: communityaffairs@brooklynda.org or call 718-250-3888
Central Family Life Center 59 Wright St. Staten Island, N.Y. Contact: Ms. Helen Vasquez Phone: 718-273-8414 Monday-Friday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
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Until next week … kisses.