HAPPY THANKSGIVING - The Holiday Season is upon us! A time to come together with family, friends, share with those less fortunate!

One of my favorite Thanksgiving Day Memories recall November 27, 2003, when I was invited for dinner at the San Francisco home of Eddie Alley to join he and his lovely family that included his dear brother, renowned bassist Vernon Alley - who always came home alone on Thanksgiving Day! Also a guest, my first introduction to developer Michael Johnson before the dirt was shoveled to start construction of the Fillmore Jazz Heritage Center!

Both brothers have passed on - Vernon in 2004 at age 88; Eddie in 2005 at age 90. They were close; both envisioned the return of Jazz to the Fillmore, and would have been there next week for the red carpet celebration Opening of Yoshi’s on Fillmore!

After the delicious Turkey dinner with all the trimmings prepared by Eddie’s son, Steve Alley, the family gathered in the living room while Eddie and Vernon sat in the dining area talking; privileged to be in their circle listening.

Precious to watch the two brothers, both ailing, relaxed listening to a cassette tape recording of a live gig session recorded many years ago that captured Eddie and his Gentlement of Rhythm Band that featured stellar musicians that included sweet horn playing PeeWee Claybrooke, and the late vocalist Sweetie Mitchell both preceded Eddie in death. Ah, their heads nod in enjoyment, a sparkle between them. I will never forget that memorable day with two giants!

Vernon was always the celebrated one, while Eddie, the family man, held a day job; evenings successfully lead his Society dance band; played local casuals, dances for the top social clubs of the day, and on the bandstand in Fillmore joints.

Vernon, the swinging’ Cool Kat of North Beach, traveled with Lionel Hampton, heard on the famous “Flyin’ Home” album. But his heart belonged in San Francisco, didn’t care for traveling, made a name for himself in North Beach especially. Honored November 19, 2003, the year before he passed, with a street named “Vernon Alley” located in South Beach, originally known as Ellery Street, at the corner of Delancy Street and Brannan, near AT&T Park. This writer covered the historic event.

Movin on... Last Wednesday evening at the Grand Opening of the plush restaurant and lounge, 1300 on Fillmore - invitation only! Definitely the place to be! And promises to be a hip spot!

Paparazzi captured the beautiful people there to wish extraordinary couple Executive Chef David Lawrence and talented and pretty wife Monetta White, owners, Managing Partners, Food for Soul LLC. Greeting guests at the door was 1300 Publicist Ave Montague, insuring only those on the invite list were admitted!

Sipped champagne, finger food absolutely off the charts ... elbow-to-elbow at times viewing the stunning history wall of Black Society personalities of the Fillmore heydays from the collection of curators Elizabeth Pepin and Lewis Watts, authors of the well-received book “Harlem of the West” about San Francisco Fillmore Jazz Era in its musical heydays 1940s and 1950s (the era completely folded in mid-60s.) The writers were there praised over the stunning photos that give 1300 its ambiance and connection to the Fillmore past blended with today!

And not to be overlooked, in the spotlight legendary photographer David Johnson (studied with the great photographist Ansel Adams), who documented through his camera lens the lively happenings in the Fillmore - then a staff reporter for the Sun Reporter Newspaper (about 1947.) The huge picture above a sofa in the history lounge depict a vital Fillmore scene - the old Sunset Drugstore, corner Post and Fillmore; and the Fillmore streetcar.

The "who's who" guest list included: developer JHC Michael Johnson, President, EMJohnson Interests, and partner, Yoshi’s San Francisco... introduced to Chuck Smith, Production Director KFOG/KNBR/KSAN/KTCT joined by his delightful wife. The couple live high above the scene in one of the pricey penthouses (hey you two, waiting for the invite!); ...Anne Halsted, Narda Skov, Linda Vandeliemere, Peter and Eleanor Grove; Celia Tejeda, Ellen Seebold, Cindy MacKenzie, Mike O’Shea, David Geisinger;...

Legendary Journalist Belva Davis emceed the brief introduction of the owners; Mayor Gavin Newsom spoke, as did Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi - proud that JHC is in his district; happy were members of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency and Board Commissioners who ok’d funding the Heritage project... Gaynell Armstrong, Executive Director, Francee Covington, Board President; Commissioners LeRoy King, Darshan Singh, and London Breed who is exploring the idea of running for the Assembly seat (held by Mark Leno, who is running for a State Senate seat) against Supervisor Tom Ammiano. Really, girlfriend, do you thing you got it to beat Tom???

At times crushed, trying to hold my own in the crowded lounge and Bar, but could hear the swinging Jazz sounds of saxophonist Melvin Butts and his Mellotones Quartet, featured vocalist Gerri Harris. I tell you 1300 Happy Hour will be da place!!!

Dropping more names, the "Hat Lady" Mrs. Ruth Dewson, seated at the elegant bar with Robert Clarke, Restaurant Developer; Speedy Wade Woods, Editor, San Francisco Post, aiming his digital camera on the beautiful people; former Redevelopment Executive Director Marcia Rosen, sported a baaaad short haircut, joined by Joanne Sakai; Belva’s favorite man - hubby Bill Moore, retired KTVU-2 cameraman, played his role - being himself;... Peter Fitzsimmons, son of legendary trumpeter Allen Smith, and the late Pat Nacey, Executive Director Jazz Heritage Gallery and Museum opening to be launched within weeks.

I jus' love jazz pianist/vocalist Frank Jackson - Fillmore legend now with the new crowd, there with his wife Cathy. Frank will perform at Yoshi’s, December 3; Effie Lee Morris, Drs. Julia and Nathan Hare; Dr. Toye Moses, Rev. Amos Brown, Savvy Warren Stewart, of famed Manor Plaza Hotel when on Fillmore in the 50s; Perry Lang, Executive Director Black Coalition on AIDS with his significant partner Dr. Kenneth Montiero, San Francisco State University, Black Studies Department; the day was Lang’s birthday - the two left to have dinner at the spot where they first met - how quaint!

It was sad to look across the street on Eddy and see the dim light in the window of the padlocked Powell's Place...

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