THINK! THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE TRYING TO DO TO ME! Literally, the President is thinking these words, lisped by Aretha Franklin’s oldie hit, “Think”! The Party of No sat staunched in the House Chambers during President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address!!! Not impressed!

The President was BRILLIANT as he laid out the agenda, delivered in his usual smooth, confident style, stern when necessary, upbeat despite solemn stone faced Republicans on their side of the chamber, limited applause! If looks could kill, Obama would’ve been dead!

DESPICABLE the way the party of No fight the president - NO RESPECT!!! They want him to fail! Many bred in slave mentality! LET’S BE REAL - THE RED DOGS, in particular, made up their minds to fight the BLACK President at every turn, regardless of what he attempts to do to get this country back on track for working men and women and families! They got theirs!

President Obama took office in the worst time in the history of this country since the Depression! In the middle of a crisis - on the brink! Recession! Bank failures, housing market crisis; many in foreclosure, lost their homes, some homeless, living in their cars. Financial turmoil caused by the previous administration - REPUBLICAN LED! They have the nerve to look pompous while Americans suffer! Roll up your sleeves and LETS GET THIS COUNTRY BACK ON A ROLL - Sure, the budget is 3.8 trillion, but not the end of the world! Democrats and Republicans have got to work together; OTHERWISE KICK THEM ALL OUT OF OFFICE!!! I’M TIRED OF THE BICKERING!

The President stood before the American people to say he will fight for jobs, put Americans back to work! GET THE ECONOMY BACK ON TRACK! It’s a tough situation but Obama is trying to do the best for the people, OLD GUARD blocking him! He’s not a miracle worker, he can’t do this alone with only the Democratic party (now worried about their REELECTION!!!)! In the spirit of Rodney King, “CAN’T WE ALL GET ALONG???”

During his speech, at one point the President emphatically stated, he was NOT A QUITTER! We don’t want you to give up Mr. President, STAY STRONG, FIGHT ON. It’d been a hard first year, you tested the waters, added more to the already overflowing plate than needed; overwhelmed by the last administration, you can not fulfill your vision in one year. HIT RESET MODE, which appears you have done! Shoot your best shot! The economy is STUCK! No hiring, banks not lending, consumers holding on to their purse strings.

The meeting with House Republicans at their retreat last Friday, head to head, LIVE on C-SPAN, was a lively debate on policies and politics - Obama handled himself well, answered questions straight from the hip!

The great communicator, campaigner, trying to show the country and those who voted for him - HE GETS IT! He was on the ground running the day after the State of the Union. Declared he will fight for jobs, education and overhaul of health care. There are those who voted and supported his candidacy, now disenchanted because they don’t see results, solutions ... MR. PRESIDENT, GO FORTH - SHOW US WHAT YOU GOT!!!

February celebrates BLACK HISTORY MONTH; a time of pride, accomplishments; a time to shine the spotlight on BLACK CULTURE. Remember those African Americans, PIONEERS who have made important contributions. Black Historian CARTER G. WOODSON, founder of Black History Month, passed in 1950. September 9, 1915, Woodson founded the Association of Negro Life and History to help eliminate white misconceptions about Blacks. Slavery did us such an injustice! 2010, we celebrate this country’s FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT!!!..

San Francisco Mayor GAVIN NEWSOM and the African American Historical and Cultural Society (AAHCS) will kick off Black History celebration in the city this Friday, 12 noon, at City Hall Rotunda. Promises to be a joyous occasion.

GOOD NEWS! LORRAINE HANSBERRY Theatre announced the company’s new theatre home at 450 Post Street at Union Square (between Powell and Mason Streets.) The former home of Theatre on the Square and The Post Street Theater, located in the Elks Lodge meeting hall that was converted to accommodate live theatre in 1982. Marvelous space!

MAHALIA: A Gospel Musical will be the inaugural production, written by Tom Stolz, Directed by LHT’S Artistic Director STANLEY E. WILLIAMS featuring nationally acclaimed recording artist JEANIE TRACY as Mahalia Jackson, universally recognized as the MOTHER of Black gospel music. The singer passed in Chicago, January 27, 1972. .

Tracy performed the role as Mahalia in the off-broadway production of “Sing Mahalia Sing,” in which she performed opposite Jennifer Holliday, and eventually replaced her in the lead role. This writer know Tracy well, met during those days when she performed with SYLVESTER. Called both Williams and Tracy - both ecstatic over the project which opens February 20. INFO: (415) 474-8800.

BLUES FOR CHARLES SULLIVAN - FATHER of the FILLMORE AUDITORIUM! Now that’s BLACK HISTORY! Sullivan, savvy black man who migrated from Alabama in 1928 to make a mark in San Francisco in the entertainment industry. The Jazz Heritage Center (JHC) has REVIVED so much history that recall historic and swinging Fillmore spots and personalities; especially Jazz legends, gone, but ALIVE in Black and White pictures captured by noted photographers of the day.

Early January took in an auspices event, a TRIBUTE, lecture and reception that embraced the theme “Blues for Charles Sullivan: the Father of the Fillmore Auditorium” hosted by PETER FITZSIMMONS, Executive Director, Jazz Heritage Center (JHC) in the Media and Education Center, located 1320 Fillmore Street. ANXIOUS to hear and meet HARRY RICHARD HALL, Sullivan’s nephew, who is writing a book about the late impresario who was the leading promoter of BLACK music on the West Coast, booking such legendary performers as James Brown, Bobby Blue Bland, JIimi Hendrix, Ike and Tina Turner, to name a few. Members of the Sullivan family in attendance, one RICHARD SULLIVAN, Retired San Francisco TAX COLLECTOR.

Hall, former KGO News Talk 810 producer and KCSM Jazz 91 announcer, shared insights about his book, and fledged questions. This writer excited about the project; revelations how Sullivan’s death affected the family. Often tried to address his widow to write about the man, but unsuccessful!

Sullivan was TOO successful! KING of West coast entertainment action and other businesses. August 1966, met his untimely death in an ALLEY! No indication of robbery. SHOT in the chest! . His death still a MYSTERY!!! AND A FAMILY TRAGEDY!

Sullivan was a hell of a MAN, forgotten, unknown to younger generations. I made a few dances at the Fillmore auditorium; sad, when under Sullivan's leadership, closed; BILL GRAHAM came on the scene; he’d worked under Sullivan, learning the ropes - became the NEW impresario!.

HEY, ITS 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