This writer is proud that black folks have come out in overwhelming numbers to cast their votes for Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama, and has made a difference! I was definitely worried how he would fare with white voters over the Rev. Jeremiah Wright issue! Many still believed in Obama! Knew he would win North Carolina but surprised how well he fared in the Indiana Primary - a cliffhanger for contender Senator Hillary Clinton who barely won!

The country want change - not to see the Clintons back in the White House. Senator Clinton will NOT break the glass ceiling to become the first Woman President! She and Bubba took the black vote for granted! Perhaps possible until Obama moved in on the scene! He has the right stuff to be the Democratic nominee and kick Republican Presidential candidate John McCain to the curb!

So move over Hillary, accept defeat gracefully - more than likely you won the West Virginia Primary (90% white voters) as predicted (column due on Tuesdays) and a way for you to exit the scene with a “slam dunk” victory! It’s not over until the Fat Lady Sings, but Obama is steadily gaining the confidence of Democratic Delegates and Super Delegates who are coming forward to endorse him. It’s time for Hillary to get on board the Obama train, unite the party. Bubba can stop playing tricky games! Chelsea can move on with her life!



Last Friday evening attended the kickoff campaign reception at Yoshi’s San Francisco to re-elect San Francisco Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi (District 5) for a second term. Emceed by Michael Johnson, interested Partner in Yoshi’s (Good News - The Johnson are expecting a baby!). The savvy Supervisor who considers his district the hippest, stood tall on stage before supporters that included former Mayors Willie Brown, Jr., and Art Agnos (Ross’ mentor), to proudly proclaim he was “Madly in love with San Francisco!” Expressed his desire to see a better life not just for his district that include the Western Addition where Yoshi’s is located, but the entire City; He cares!

Mirikarimi ran as a Green Party candidate, heir to the seat once held by Supervisor Matt Gonzalez, also Green Party. You feel his passionate in fighting crime in his district, fought for more foot patrols. Instructed police commanders to wake him up anytime of night when there’s a killing or other extreme incidents in his district. It was said by one speaker he often work in his office until late (you’d think a handsome young man like himself would be out partying or home relaxing). Unopposed, his desire in his next term is to further pursue a plan to combat crime.

Praises for his leadership were heard from Mayor Agnos; San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi, Board President Supervisor Aaron Peskin who called him the “quintessential Supervisor” and the future of the Board of Supervisors; San Francisco Redevelopment Board Commissioner London Breed, a Western Addition resident, one who has her eye on running for public office in the near future, expressed he has he gone above and beyond to support the community. Congratulations to London, recently voted to be an Obama delegate for the National Democratic Convention that will be held in Denver in August!

The two hour event lasted near the time to clear the showroom for headliner Poncho Sanchez. The place was crowded, chatted with a few: Tracy Dearman, Treasurer for Mirkarimi campaign (Judge John and Ina Dearman’s sweet daughter); Mel Simmons, Sandy Mori, Larry and Alison Griffin, Paul Hogarth, managing editor Beyond Chron; Tony Taylor-King joined by his son and Susan Beyan, consultant to his legendary mom - Leola King.

Sorry to hear while I was in Paris, France Leola suffered a stroke; she’s in Indian Springs (near Palm Springs) recovering, Tony shared she will be home later this month. The lady I call The Black Queen of Da ‘MO, known for her legendary Blue Mirror Nightclub when on Fillmore lost due to Gentrification of the area has been fighting for years to get what she believe is owed her, currently in negotiations with San Francisco Redevelopment Agency to accept her proposal for the Muni Substation site there on Fillmore and Turk.

Activist/comedian Donald Lacy, handsomely dressed, host “Wake Up Everybody” aired Saturday mornings on radio station KPOO; Community activists James Pye and Suritha Jackson ( the couple plan to visit Paris in October); Milton Marks, Jr. Managing Director, Public Architecture, S.F. son of the late Senator Milton Marks. Ironic to run into Milton Saturday at Trader Joe’s in Daly City pushing his sweet baby twins in a stroller); Moneta White of 1300 on Fillmore; Nate Mason, Executive Director, EEOC office on Fillmore near Yoshi’s; Ah, Commissioner LeRoy King looked handsome in blue suit - Michael Johnson made special mention of his presence as “his adopted grandfather”.

The event gave me the opportunity to congratulate Howard Smith, newly appointed Executive Director Ella Hill Hutch Community Center there on McAllister and Webster. The Agency had been without a leader since George Smith left (suddenly???). Believe the late Lefty Gordon, the heart and soul of the Center until his passing May 2, 2000, would be proud to see one of the young men who came up in the Center, take up the torch of leadership to get the Center back on track! During the late 80s worked at Ella Hill Hutch, publicist for “Midnight Basketball” when kicked off by Larry Gray. Howard was one of the young men who played the game, and a time when he was attending San Francisco State where he obtained a degree. I admired him and other young men during that time of my tenure.

Ended the evening chatting with Yoshi’s namesake, lovely Yoshie Akiba and her husband. She shared dessert with me while waiting for my order. My friendship with Yoshie - a beautiful spirit - go back to the early days of the Jazz club when in North Oakland on Claremont before moving to Jack London Square. Shared in the Oakland Club to see Rachelle Ferrell... learned she loved the lady’s performance; one night moved to dance!



Well MOTHER got her groove on Mother’s Day evening at the hot new entertainment venue The RRAZZ Room at the Hotel Nikko to catch the performance of Ashford and Simpson - they were awesome as always, dripped with their special magic laying it on us with “Let’s Go Get Stoned” the hit they wrote for Ray Charles, and on their way from eating hamburgers to steak, and opened the doors for them to reach their road to success as songwriters and a hot singing duo themselves giving us hits like “Solid,” my fav; “Is It Still Good To You?” Yes, Yes...thunderous applause. Ashford has sex appeal - his thin bode in light leather and black mesh top, performed a song from their upcoming new project “Invisible Light”. Not enough space to review, check out for yourself, their two week engagement end this weekend. Briefly, they have a new 2 CD pack “Hits, Remixes and Rarities”. Valery Simpson gave us a triumphant “I’m Every Woman” moved throughout the audience that included two celebrity vocalists - Patti Austin and Paula West.

Enjoyed the show from comfortable seating with Valerie Carson (a San Francisco Deputy Sheriff) and Steve and Ann Bundy. Dropping a few names of those on the scene: Robert McCurn with his lovely wife Gaynell Armstrong-McCurn, Project Manager, Western Addition A-2 , San Francisco Redevelopment agency; Julius Banks with lovely date Authurene Stallworth.

Mother had more tracks to cover before ending the evening - out to Bayview and The Monte Carlo Lounge - place was packed. Cool owner Gary Lynch, seated outside at a high table, profiling by his classy white Rolls Royce parked near the door, listening to the music streaming from inside played by popular D.J. Lady Blue Bird, spinning dance sounds...the small dance floor crowded. Another celebrity - singer Lenny Williams, formerly with Tower of Power for years, now successfully doing his own thing, in the mix with his lovely wife. Earlier in the day he performed a Special Mother’s Day concert at The Westbay Conference Center on Fillmore and Eddy. Hey, the Jazz Heritage District has come full circle due to groups booking the Center with top R&B and Blues acts adding to the flavor of the music on DA ‘MO!

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