Posts Tagged ‘A.C. Moore’

January marks our calendar as the first month of the year. A time for new promise – new hope … perhaps new beginnings.  A good friend of mine has a birthday a little more than a week after mine.  Since we became adults, it’s been a tradition of ours to go out and celebrate our born days over a tasty meal.

What makes this occasion a real treat is not the $40-50 plate; not the shared birthday; not the location; nor the fact that we can get away from the kids for an evening (though that helps).  Simply hanging out with friends and exchanging laughter is amusement enough.

I know that hanging out with friends over dinner is nothing new. Many people do it more regularly than me I’m sure.  Consider this blog nothing more than a reminder.  This year, make the time to enjoy a meal with your close ones.  Do you have parents that haven’t been out in a while? A couple that you know is going through something?  A sibling or neighbor that could use a good laugh?  Invite them out to dinner and let the good times roll.

This year, no matter the economy, no matter how busy you are, take the initiative to find some good eats with good friends.  Oh, and There’s Always Room for Dessert. LOL.

ACM

I don’t like to use my blog to vent too often, but I have a pet peeve — and it has to do with pulling up to a traffic light and having children walk up to my car asking for money to support their trip to “the championship game”.  What bothers me is not that I can’t reach into my pocket and give $2 or reach into my ashtray and dump all my loose change in their bucket; what irks me is the effect that I think this type of practice will create for these impressionable minds.

Perhaps I’m reading too deep into this. I do not mean to say that children should not feel inclined to ask for help from their community – what I’m more concerned of is that the adults who are leading children to these intersections are teaching children to ask for a handout, rather than teaching them how to earn their means to their desired goal.

Why can’t the team invite me to one of the local games and charge a small admission? Maybe they can hold a concession stand or offer car washes? I just don’t like the idea of giving children a bucket and sending them to every car stalled at a traffic light – not when there’s a more life-teaching way to help them earn money for the team.

As a little league girls softball coach for the past three years, I would never consider sending my girls out to ask for money to help us get to our tournament. I would meet with the parents and come up with ways to earn funding. Of course I would put those little girls to work, but make no mistake they would clearly see that we are all talented, skilled and innovative enough to earn the funding we need – for whatever purpose.

Although, I may still decide to help the occassional child that strolls by my car wearing a jersey and holding a bucket for contributions,  I think I will hold a conversation with that coach or parent that is usually off to the side on their cell phone, sitting in some foldable recreation chair.

Should I ask them for a few bucks so I can get to my destination?  It would be interesting to hear their response.

The rain held off Saturday and Baltimore’s 16th Annual Baltimore Book Festival brought thousands of locals and travelers (I suspect) to come out and celebrate the joy of reading. Friday’s opening held high promise and the people tried to come out and support, but the heavy rain made it impossible to maneuver into dry spaces. I don’t even own a pair of golasshes.

Saturday, however was a much more fulfilling day.  Gray at times, but fair moments of sunshine broke through the clouds and made the day a very pleasant one. I had the opportunity to speak to hundreds of readers about my books and also enjoy meeting other writers and publishers on site. This year Theodore Crawford, author of A Time to Remember and I shared a tent space and both of us held it down. Stay tuned to this blog or follow me on Facebook  or on Twitter as he and I may pair up for future book festivals.

Here are some pics from the event Friday and Saturday. One more blog coming after the event ends Sunday. Happy reading!

September. It’s the month that signals the ending of summer, the start of the school season, football and the Baltimore Book Festival. This is my fourth year of participation and I must say, it is one of my favorites. Of course the fact that its in my own backyard helps with the travel and packing, but each year, I get a lilttle more surprised at the diversity of people and reading interests that Baltimore has to offer.

It seems that each festival lends the opportunity for me to speak to readers in every demographic, but the Baltimore Book Festival is also the one festival that readers actually take the time to send me the most feedback – and I love feedback. After the 2010 festival, I’ve received countless emails from individuals who shared encouraging words. I’ve also made a lot of friends. If you’re in the Baltimore area the weekend of the 23rd – the 25th, I invite ou to come out and meet some local authors trying to share their stories with as many people as they can. Of course, I’ll be there and I’ll be sharing a table with author Theodore Crawford, author of A Time to Remember. Other authors who’ll be on site include 

The festival author lineup includes:

Sherman Alexie, Pseudonymous Bosch, Libba Bray, Common, Kate and Jules Feiffer, Myla Goldberg, Gordon Korman, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Laura Lippman, Roland S. Martin, Daisy Martinez, Sam McBratney, Chef Aaron “Big Daddy” McCargo, Jr., Patrick McDonnell, Terry McMillan, Jacquelyn Mitchard,  Erin Morgenstern, Kadir Nelson, Fr. Leo Patalinghug, Rachel Renee Russell, Tavis Smiley, Shirley Strawberry, Lisa Unger, Marcela Valladolid and David Wiesner.

So all Baltimoreans, come on out and let’s get get our read on – together.  Really looking forward to seeing you.

Last year’s Festival Pics-

For years Lil’ Wayne has dedicated himself to gangsta rap, selling the messages of fast money, sex and even death, as he climbed the charts, amassed fame and piled on riches.

I’ve resented his music, his swagger, his artistry – not because I’m hating on his success, but because in communities that need more positive messages, Weezy and other gangsta rappers inherit the status of role model leading impressionable minds down paths that praise low hanging pants, disrespect for authority, womanizing thuggish behavior and a few other less complimentary antics.

A few months ago, however, Lil Wayne’s song “How to Love” grabbed my attention. This edgy, yet simple love ballad showed a more sensitive, mature side of Wayne that deserved recognition.

You’ve had a lot of crooks trying to steal your heart, never really had luck … never really figured out how to love.

Catchy, memorable, bonafide good song … in my opinion.

After weeks of watching undiscovered artists sing their rendition of the song on YouTube, I finally got a chance to see the official video, which came out 8/24.  I must say I was impressed. The imagery fits perfectly, leaving the maturity and growth of Wayne to be applauded.

The video’s plot — a young woman abused by men, grows up in a world where the wrong decisions are the only practical options for her survival. Promiscuity, stripping, prostitution, teenage pregnancy all bring this girl down to hopelessness and even the unfortunate fate of contracting HIV.

Then, the video rewinds and shows the life of this woman after making all the “right” decisions.  So for example – even after becoming pregnant as a teenager, rather than trying to live on the streets, the girl moves back home with her mother. She stays out of trouble, meets a good man, gets married, and her daughter instead of becoming a victim of abuse, driven toward making wrong decisions and facing the harsh consequences for her actions, she takes the opportunity of an education, finds true love and begins a family … the perfect happy ending.

And yet I complain.

I love happy endings and stories that come full circle, but the message of the video slightly bothers me.  Why?  Because it suggests that Lil Wayne  knows the difference between good decisions and bad decisions and the rewards and consequences that are attached for making one over the other.

While founded on an abusive relationship, the video clearly shows how tough life can be when bad choices are made – even if forced to make those choices and “the good life”, i.e. a monogamous relationship, marriage, responsible parenting, etc. can lead to the better life.

Showing this outcome and making the distinction in the video tells me that rappers (like Lil Wayne) who claim that wholesome qualities are somehow unfamiliar, unattainable, uncool, etc. know what is considered good, yet despite knowing, they choose to package and sell the negative messages they endorse. If Lil wayne truly believes that good choice make for a better life, why not make that his platform?  Why not push those message points? Don’t tell me it won’t sell. Don’t tell me it won’t have an impact. The current hip hop filth is selling and its influencing — and now this song, with its positive message is making waves in the music world.

If there is even a chance that Lil Wayne could read this blog, I would say this to him.

Hey Mr. Carter, tell me where you been?

You’ve had hits before.  You’ve made money. You’re a mogul. Look at how THIS song is climbing the charts. Look at the types of people who are  listening, and singing THIS song. It’s influential and just as real as your other music. But THIS song, which made my playlist a month ago, can can do more than make money. It can make a difference.

I wish you continued success in your career.

Yesterday’s  Afternoon with the Authors proved a lot of fun yesterday and gave me the wonderful opportunity to meet with new readers, authors and  and the pleasant staff  of the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Herring Run branch.  I’ve been to plenty of Pratt’s branches, but this is the first time I’ve been to this particular location.  All I can say is the Herring Run branch is the jewel of the neighborhood.

To those that came out and listened to me and the other authors, thanks so much!!! You are the reason for why I write.

Some pics from the event.

Today, I had a fantastic time at the fourth annual Arts in the Park Festival in Hanlon Park. About a dozen artists and vendors came out to show and sell their crafts and meet the residents who live near this beautiful greenery.

The funny thing about this park is that for years, I used to drive past on my way to and from work and each time I drove by, the area remained empty. Thanks to the Garwyn Oaks Northwest Housing Resource Center, who coordinated and hosted this effort, Hanlon Park was being used as it was intended – bringing a neighborhood together to enjoy one another and have a good time. In a neighborhood, where many stay in-doors and don’t venture to far from their porch, this community festival was a huge welcome. I and many other artist had a great time being a part of the occasion.

What would you do in this situation? You’re hungry, you got a few dollars and it just so happens you’re standing in restaurant row. As you look around, you see about a half a dozen restaurants ready to seat you – but one restaurant has about 50 people in line and the wait is about an hour and a half. It seems it makes most sense to go to a restaurant without such a line, but if you’re like me, my wife and the friends we traveled with this weekend, you might be semi-curious. What makes this place with the line so special?

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria in the York neighborhood, not too far from Brooklyn,  is one of those places that, you must go visit. They serve only pizza – no salads, no buffalo wings, not not even bread sticks.  They also don’t serve it by the slice and they only accept cash, which makes the restaurant even more of an inconvenience. Despite the “hang ups” the restaurant dishes out, you want to know what makes this place so special? It’s the wait. 

Yes, they serve the best pizza I’ve ever tasted, but the Gibraldi wait experience forces patrons to talk to each other in line and possibly make new friends. I personally witnessed strangers not only talk to each other, but even pair up & sit with each other to help the line move quicker. It’s almost like a networking convention.

This experience has taught me something about waiting. We live in a world that tries to convince us that there’s something wrong with delays. We somehow win when we get something quickly and alternatively, we lose when there’s a pause in our stride.

Grimaldi’s fresh Mozzarella, pepperoni, Italian Sausage and mushroom pizza reminds me that not only is there nothing wrong with waiting, but occasionally, there is something delicious on the other side.

Have you ever baked for 1,000 men, women and children? What an experience is all I can say. Today, I was one of the featured chefs for the Coalition of 100 Black Women’s annual Gourmet Chef of Distinction event. I was one of  more than 70 chefs – bringing my signature dessert, Espresso Almond Crunch Cake taken from my first novel Always Room for Dessert.

Rows of desserts, entrees and appetizers nestled next to each other as far as the eyes could see. Stuffed shrimp, crab cakes, Orange Creamcicle Martinis, Lemon Walnut Chicken and so much more. You should have been there.

Special thank you to Thelma T. Daley, Chefs Chair; Laura Knight President / Event Chair and Diane Hocker for inviting me to the event. She and all the other hosts were working very hard to make sure the guests and the chefs had everything they needed. Also thank you to my daughter Kayla who joined me and helped serve. As picky as she is when it comes to eating I was extremely surprised to see her visiting all the tables and trying so many different dishes.

As for the Espresso Almond Crunch Cake, I’m told it was a hit. Table visitor after table visitor, I’m told the cake was moist and the hint of espresso coffee in the homemade frosting was sharp and on the money – good thing too, because it was the first time I ever made it.

Next year, I mayk bring a few dishes to teh party. So if you’re around Baltimore in May and you’re looking to get a sampling of some delectable delights, I invite you to come on through and make sure you make sure leave room for dessert.

For more on the Coaition of 100 Black Women, visit their site at  http://www.ncbw-bmc.org/

8th Annual CityLit Festival in Baltimore, MD's Enoch Pratt Free Library

What a day at the 8th Annual City Lit Festival. It really was a day long festival celebrating literature. I talked to so many readers and authors, my throat starting getting sore. Special thank you to the City Lit Project for hosting an event, where new authors can come out to show and sell their works without having to pay for a booth. I sold plenty of books, did some much needed networking and overall had a good time.

The day started off a little slow as the clouds decided to be over generous with rain.  As if crowding into Noah’s Ark, attendees came in it seemed by twos with dripping wet ponchos and rain gear leaving a few puddles on the floor and author tables. I’m not sure why traffic eventually picked up, because it rained all day – but I’m glad that a crowd did gather. I’m sure many of the other authors were just as pleased.

Authors, publishers, editors and writers groups staffed tables and passed out information, spoke about their works or held workshops to help other writers hone their craft and learn about resources to help them take their work to the next level.

Me with the hosts from the IndieBookMan Show - Check them out at http://IndieBookMan.com/TheShow

While at the festival, I had the opportunity to meet a few publishers and poets, even a podcast duo that interviewed me to get my insight on the value of CityLit.  Be sure to check out The IndieBookMan Show at http://IndieBookman.com/TheShow

Another winning opportunity came when I met Donna Wessel, President of American Literary Press. She even picked up a copy of my book Even Angels Need Miracles. Visit her site at www.my-new- publisher.com

One of the biggest takeaways for me of this festival is its dedication to really giving authors who are smalltime (for now) a real shot at exposure, without charging an arm and a leg. This was a fantastic event. For all you authors, writers, poets, publishers and other literary artist, I invite ou to look into this festival next year – very well worth it. To Gregg  A. Wilhelm, Executive Director for the CityLit Project – job well done. Expect to see me again next year.

I’ve posted a few photos from the Festival.  Enjoy.