SWEET ELEGANT EFFIE LEE MORRIS JONES, advocate for children’s literature, lost her battle with cancer on November 10. She was 88. Effie, as I shall fondly call her, was a proud savvy courageous lady who made a difference for all communities. She led a career life challenging children to reach for the BEST part of themselves by learning to love books and reading. A legend in the community of LIBRARIANS, and a pioneer in emphasizing the importance of multi-ethnic, quality literature and illustrations in books for children of all ages and backgrounds.

Effie donated a unique collection of rare children’s books to the San Francisco Main Public Library. She was an activist and one of the FOUNDERS of the BLACK CAUCUS of The American Library Association in 1970 which successfully lobbied the ALA to end its dual (segregated) chapters in the Southern states.

Effie will be buried with her deceased husband, Leonard Jones, in a private ceremony and plans are underway for a memorial celebration, in the near future, of her life and contributions. She was a member of Jones Methodist Memorial Church in San Francisco.

It had been my wish to one day travel to Paris, France with Effie, for I learned she traveled there often. Suggested my desire to join her, if possible, on her next trip. When conversing with her one day in June as we walked to an event at the Museum of the African Diaspora , told she would not be able to make the long trip later this year due to health problems, and she was on an oxygen tank. My heartfelt condolences to loved ones and friends. The beautiful spirited lady will be missed!

SPEAKING of the Museum of the African Diaspora, WELCOME to NEW MOAD director (SISTUH’) GRACE C. STANISLAUS!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO DA GODFATHER - San Francisco Redevelopment Commissioner LEROY KING, one of the recipients honored at the recent 49th San Francisco Planning and Urban Research (SPUR) Luncheon!

VELMA’S, San Francisco popular Black-owned nightclub was THE place to be LIVE Saturday evening, November 7, for the SWEET JIMMIE’S REUNION PARTY! Folks dressed in their finest traveled from all parts of the Bay Area on chartered busses, limos, private cars to GREET SWEET JIMMIE WARD with love! Share memories enjoyed at his popular self-titled nightclub, downtown Oakland at San Pablo and 17th Street - The BUZZ all over Northern California and beyond! Major headline artists performed in the spotlight, the likes of Jimmie McGriff and Hank Crawford; Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland, blues man Bobby Rush, and noted Bay Area musicians.

A LONGSHOREMAN by occupation until retired, dedicated to the club business where he loved to be with his people! Mr. Ward was one of the most successful Black club owners in modern times (1989-2003); sadly the doors closed (renovated under new owners - ground floor retail space and nightclub). Jimmie’s was a SPECIAL place where people met to have fun - dance, eat good food, mostly to be in Jimmie’s presence. I will ALWAYS remember the club’s APPRECIATION party given in my honor - A FLOWER SALUTE (September 15, 1996)! WONDERFUL! And a time when my tenure ended at KDIA radio station as announcer during the early morning commute drive. KDIA folded December 15, 1997.

Malaco Recording artist - Mr. Shake ‘n’ Shimmey...Feel Like Cheatin’... singer LAROME POWERS (some in the profession call him GYPSY) connected with Ms. VELMA (LANDERS) with the idea for a Reunion for a man he’s always respected! GYPSY DID AN AWESOME JOB promoting the event , hitting the streets of East Bay and San Francisco to get the word out!!!

By special request, Powers booked versatile vocalist BARBARA MORRISON who flew up from L.A. with her rhythm band, that included Bay area keyboardist PERCY SCOTT of The WHISPERS. Powers performed with The DYNAMIC FOUR Band (amazing Bay Area musicians who have been together for over 40 years)! AND a showcase package that included IKE AND TINA TURNER imitators (the lady shimmied like Ms. Tina!) - HOT! HOT! ; lively BLUES SINGER EARL “Lil Junior” CRUDUP - A showman, Film Producer - who livened up the evening with his entertaining antics; MR. ENTERTAINER - Legendary JAY PAYTON, Founder TOP STARS Award, emceed, Payton was THE announcer during Jimmie’s operation until the end! .

Sweet Jimmie was in Alta Bates hospital in Oakland weeks before the event; unsure whether he would attend the party - determined to have his way, a true virgo, insisted, if possible, that his internist and wife LINDA allow him to be there, and THERE HE WAS greeted with hugs and kisses; everyone relieved as he was late for the 8 p.m., start due to an ERROR in the prescribed WHEELCHAIR FIT that would enable him to attend in a van. Morrison delayed her performance until BIG BOSSMAN (300 pd. or more) arrived! By then an overflow house!

Always a delight at the Monterey Blues Festival (and here at Yoshi’s SF earlier this year), Morrison, sassy laid down a soulful performance especially when she sung “Don’t Touch Me,” called Jimmie up to the dance area, aided by his son. Known to do a little singing himself with a few CDs out, Jimmie in deep voice repeated the lyrics “Don’t Touch Me”. When it was time to say a few words he was emotionally full - temporarily - eventually gained composure, able to thank everyone for coming. His slender pretty ASIAN wife LINDA by his side (PROPS to her for she’s been there for her man through thick and thin)!

Plaques, trophy, flowers, money and most of all LOVE extended to Boss man - BIG JIMMIE, SWEET JIMMIE, whatever name handle of affection heard that evening. Among those who came out: for the party; former radio station KSOL DJ/Actor NICK HARPER; the Longshoremen /MONTE CARLO BAR POSSE included: owners GARY AND THERESA DEROUEN-LYNCH, DON JUAN, ED ‘DOWNTOWN’ BROWN, RANGATANG; also...

EDDIE ALLEY, Jr. a longshoreman; Ms. MAMIE (put on those sexy lingerie shows at Jimmie’s nightclub); Oakland’s LAKESIDE CLUB POSSE IN DA HOUSE led by owner JULIAN HEARD;...I joined Velma’s VIP table with: DR. “G” - Gwen Debow, Kenneth and Etta Lundy, LAVERNE BROOKS, President Black American Cultural Association; Also on the scene: Harriet Byrd, Alice Keaton, Herb Johnson, THE CATFISH MAN - JAMES PERRY of 2Jack’s; KPOO’S Blues jock/musician BOBBIE “SPIDER” WEBB; hairstylist JOSE LACROSBY, Linzley Sykes, MR. WALTER DAVIS - The fashionable swinging senior citizen; vocalist Barbara Gainer with Mr. Elmo Carter; vocalist Lisa Carr, Fabulous MS. PEPPER fashionable in white hat and designer After-Five outfit; writer Charles Aikens, Lottie Green, Oakland funeral director; Julia Williams;...

Club DJ SILKY SMOOTH played “Misty” - Richard Groove Holmes’ hit , dedicated to me, BUT also performed during the presentations;...Velma’s co-partner CHESTER BILLINGER, loyal staffer HELEN LEE, Stephanie Gregory (beautiful long silver and black tresses); bartenders overloaded - SHEILA BICKERSTAFF and MS. JERRI; SWEET SMELLIN’ Velma’s cousin and right hand man! ; Jimmie’s close buddies passed weeks before the event - MR. OAKLAND - BILL ‘BIGGUM’ GRAVES, COACH - HAROLD LESTER BRINKLEY, and extended family- MR. HOLLYWOOD! JIMMIE IS BACK in the Oakland REHAB facility, still under Doctor’s orders, BUT yearning to come home! KEEP THE SWEET BOSSMAN IN YOUR PRAYERS!

IN CLOSING - LEST WE FORGET, THE JONESTOWN MASSACRE, November 18, 1978!

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