KTVU Channel 2 News Anchor Dennis Richmond retires after 40 outstanding years with the station! He broke many barriers during those turbulent years of racial uprising, Affirmative Action, Civil Rights protest, Black Panthers. Richmond is the longest anchor to hold the position than any other on the Bay Area’s Big four TV stations! I’ve been a constant viewer of the 10 o’clock news - Will miss him! Here’s wishing Dennis much success in his retirement and good health!

MAKING THE ROUNDS - Sunday night a funky good time at Velma’s, the popular San Francisco night spot on the outer edge of the Bayview District on Jerrold Street, to hear one of my favorite Blues singers Jackie Payne - drippin’ with soul, old school groove style. Trim dressed in all purple, wore a black Tam, cool as he wanted to be, backed by the Steve Edmonson Band. The show kicked off about 5 p.m. - the start of 3-sets. Intermission D.J. Silky Smooth spread his magic!

The evening celebrated several birthdays, one Helen Lee of Velma’s loyal staff, that night partying with family, friends and Sunday Blues ‘n’ Jazz Club members who meet at the spot every Sunday. Velma’s is their home! Chic Miss Helen dressed in classy white pants suit, flashing a new attitude. Also celebrating her birthday Joyce Brown with her Rasselas Posse (their TGIF hangout) that included Phil Marks.

Seen enjoying the evening: Petite Paula Johnson-Wilson elegant in knee-length red suit and matching heels; good to see John Scott and his pretty lady; Lacy the Ingleside Barber; Herb - Swinging Senior dancer - pops had it going on, there with his neighbor Ave’ Moore who shared with me she will be graduating from San Francisco State completing her degree in Designer Fashions; Ethel Lundy and hubby; one of my favorite couples - Barbara Stewart and Carlett “Dan” Daniels - love their groovy attitude!;...

Traveling Blues writer/photographer Duchess Dorothy Hill back from The Blues Music Awards (formerly W.C. Handy Awards) in Tunica, Mississippi, then on to Clarksdale, Mississippi and Ground Zero Blues Joint co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman...surprised Jackie Payne, on stage in performance, when he looked out in the audience and there she was aiming her camera; Lucretia Bjorkland - Goin’ to Chicago Blues Festival this Summer!;...

HOT Blues news - Velma’s is one of the nominees announced for the Jus’ Blues Music Foundation 2008 “Juke Joint Award” to be held in August in Memphis! Check it out - Miss Velma (Landers) and club members already making plans to hang out on Beale Street!

Last Friday afternoon drove over to Oakland and Jack London Square - a taste for Barbecue - where else but Everett and Jones there on Broadway and First. Former President Bill Clinton there earlier this year meeting in a public discussion with Mayor Ron Dellums, spotlighted nationally by the media. Owner Dorothy Jones has the news clipping on display in a showcase window at the entrance for all to see.

There is a There There on the lower end of Broadway - entrance to Jack London Square - an ambitious change is going on - a highrise building under construction that will yield Condos, apartment complex across from Everett; the opposite corner where once was the hot club known as “Bluesville” now an Indian cuisine Restaurant , on the other corner former site of a playhouse, I HEARD soon to be converted into an entertainment complex.

Back in the 70s "Ivey’s", the never-to-be-forgotten Nightclub/Showroom on the Embarcadero near Broadway, was THE place where the political elite, and movers and shakers gathered; Black Panther leader Huey Newton frequented. Owned by Fred Ivey, assisted by brothers John and Jay, featured fine food and entertainment. Alas the doors closed in the early 80s, but Fred and John continued to keep a foot hold in the area; last club “Mingles” located next to the old site of "Ivey’s", closed about a year ago, now John Ivey doing business on Broadway at Clancy’s a beautiful well preserved Bar with a Spanish flair, serving the finest in whiskey and Mexican food; latest sounds heard from a Juke box owned by former club owner Sweet JIMMIE who is temporarily out of business!

WOW! Drove past the house Sweet Jimmie (Ward) built, San Pablo and 17th St., windows boarded up, idle! For over 10 years, Sweet Jimmie’s Nightclub was the hottest Black-owned club in Northern California where grown folks, that included the political elite, professionals, plain everyday working and retired folks gathered.

Due to the young crowd who frequented late at night, after grown folks left, and hip hop patrons from a nearby club lingering outside, drew police attention and caused Sweet Jimmie’s to be in the headlines and TV news! Finally under political pressure forced to close! At the time Mayor Jerry Brown had other ideas for the area, within blocks from City Hall.

It was a sad day when Sweet Jimmie Ward, loving as a Teddy Bear, and his two partners - all three hard working longshoremen, respected in the Oakland community and beyond, said farewell.

HEY, IT’S NICE TO BE NICE AND TO ALL OF YOU OUT THERE ... LOOK FOR ME ... I’LL BE THERE ...
E-MAIL Rochelle at iheard@earthlink.net