by B. White
Holla!

Twenty thousand (20,000) down 225,000 to go, I-Witness touching Black people all over the city of Milwaukee, and the world one event at a time.

Black people are the First Wonders of the World--We have survived and continue to survive in spite of those who wish for and work toward our demise.

Holla-Outs

To: Cynthia, Dominique, and Lisa of the Milwaukee Boppers Steppers. The women united on their Seventh Annual Margaret Bedford Nutcracker Jam Toy Drive & Steppers Set benefiting the Children and Families served at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin’s Sickle Cell Anemia Clinic. So many families will have a wonderful holiday season because of your generosity.

They give special thanks to the Frontiers, Lena’s Food Market, Garfield’s 502, LEX Jazz Club and the #1 Stunners Motorcycle Club and the community as well for their generosity and sponsorship of the event!

I-Witness thanks the MBSU for having big hearts and daring to love children. I love the way you do the things you do.

Hey, Soc co-owner of Classic Glass Window Cleaning, Inc. It was nice seeing you again. You were doing your thang. I wonder if you can make me sparkle as you do that glass, Holla!

FYI

Gaulien (Gee) Smith (Mr. Wonderful) request the presence of your company for the Grand Opening of the second location of Gee’s Clippers 2215 North King Drikve. The event will take place Sunday, December 10 from 3-7 p.m.

Also join Corey and LaMonica Smith Wednesday December 13 for the Grand Opening of Soche’s Milwaukee Restaurant and Lounge, 2213 North King Drive from 4 p.m.-until.

McArthur Weddle, Josephine Hill and Michelle Redd invite you to join them at Savoy’s Night Club, 2901 North 5th Street, for a fundraiser for Alderman Mike McGee Jr. Wednesday, December 15 from 5-7 p.m.

Volunteerism has reached a 30-year high. More people than ever are volunteering to assist their fellow man/woman. In recent years it has been reported that Black people lead the way in volunteering, I guess it takes Black people to teach the world how to do everything ... and it’s a good thing. Let’s keep it up.

"5 snaps and a pop"

Many of you have asked how I rate restaurants, music etc. My system is simple when I give something snaps and pops, I am rating things based on many factors and my knowledge on the particular subject, be it food, plays, music, etc.

I look at the totality of the subject like food atmosphere, service, taste, appearance etc. If I specify something it simply means I like that particular part or item and perhaps there are other things that could improve, but when I like it all I say it. I rate things starting at its lowest 1-5 pops and a snap. One being nothing out of the ordinary or I may not care for it. Five means excellent, six means it is superb and it will also have a snap.

Welcome Back

Lynda Jones it was nice seeing you, again. Lynda is the new editor of the "Milwaukee Courier" and the daughter of Jerrell Jones. Welcome Home.

Birthday Holla-Outs

To: Russell Stamper Jr., Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, We did not have a party this year; I wanted to sing my birthday song to you, Holla!

To: County Board Chairman Lee Holloway, It’s yo’ Birthday, It is Yo’ Birthday; you know you are one of my favorites, Happy Birthday to you and many more.

To: County Supervisor Beth Coggs-Jones, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, I won’t tell the number but we know and you’re still gorgeous, Holla!

To: Green Bay Packer’s Captain Rob Davis! Happy Birthday to you ... hopefully I-Witness will come up before the season ends and give y’all some soul pointers, Holla!

To: Jammin’ 98.3’s Radio Personality Earl Stokes! I think I’ll blues you a bit, Happy birthday to you, I hope you have fun tonight, Happy birthday to you, I hope you have fun tonight, do yo’ thang in yo’ birthday suit and many gifts will fall on you, Holla! Happy Birthday!

Hey Shantel Bacchus, I know "It’s Yo’ Birthday" maybe we can go over to the Gallery Lounge and do the pole, Holla! Happy Birthday to you.

Hey Gwen Thomas, I guess you thought I forgot your birthday, huh? Well, Happy Birthday and many more.

Congratulations

To: Henry and Stella Love owners of the Ponderosa Steak House. I-Witness wants to thank the two of you for believing in our community. The two of you planting yourroots here, providing good service as well as jobs to those in our community can bring nothing but good things to all of us. Congratulations on seven years of the good things, you are the perfect examples to those powers to be that show providing business and job opportunities can contribute to a healthy community, so I salute you for all visions and endeavors, Atten--tion Salute!

***Attention***

To: Cordelia Taylor of the Family House, How do you spell love, How about like this C-O-R-D-E-L-I-A T-A-Y-L-O-R! Taylor has taken love and given it wings. She is the founder of the Family House a place for the elderly to live who cannot afford to live in a nursing home. Not only does she love the elderly, but also she now has created safe place children to do activities.

Taylor is being recognized by AARP for her love and care of the elderly. With her new venture with the children, she is in need of volunteer mentors this is a way to assist with the young people. For those of you who want to become involved in our community here is a way to do that so go give a hand. Ms. Taylor, I love the way you do the things you do, Congratulations, Atten--tion Salute!

***Attention***

New mini mall to provide economic development on Atkinson Avenue

(Left to right) Alderman Mike McGee, Jr., Charnjit Chur and Troy Rease have recently broke ground at the site of a new strip mall, located at North 14th Street and Atkinson Avenue. The strip mall is projected to bring in more than 30 jobs to the northside neighborhood. (photo by Barbara White)

Starks Foods broke ground on a new mini mall on 14th and Atkinson. Many were on hand to celebrate including Alderman Mike McGee, Jr. who worked diligently with Charnjit Chaur owner of Starks Foods.

Alderman McGee gave thanks to the ancestors for their blessings and the opportunity to help create the mini mall. "This venture will not only bring jobs to this area but also bring business to the area and I appreciate Charnjit Chaur for her vision," McGee said. Charnjit Chaur and her family are of Indian descent.

The mini-mall will consist of a two-level grocery store with retail space, a restaurant, a frozen custard stand, a cleaners and laundry mat. More than 30 jobs, both full-time and part-time, will be created by the venture with Charnjit hoping to employ those from the neighborhood. She states: "I live in the neighborhood, my business has been here for 15 years, this is where I need to build my new business, where I live and make my money."

What is so special about this project is that Black contractors T.L. Reese Corporation are doing the construction headed by Troy Reese and Diamond Plumbing Services (DPS) another young business owner Julian D. Coleman; Y’all know I-Witness loves this. State Bank of Children is financing this project and Willie Cummingham of the Atkinson/Capitol/Teutonia Business Improvement District lends their support of the venture.

Excitement was in the air as neighbors, friends and family turned out to celebrate. At one time over ridden with crime, the Atkinson Street area has seen truly hard times over the years with very limited investment in the area. Now with the new mall it is believed it will attract other businesses to the area thus stabilizing the neighborhood and creating jobs.

In addition, Charnjit Chaur has created a contest for an opportunity for any person to win one year of free rent of 750 ft. of retail space who wants to start a business and they will assistance in helping to nurture and maintain the business. For more info, you can contact Alderman Mike McGee or Starks Foods.

Theresa Hibler who lives in the neighborhood thinks the new development is a good thing. "It has never happen before where a community can get a value like this, someone to help them start a business and I love that the Alderman has really worked with her," she said.

Dameara Hoerth VP at the State of Children’s Bank states: "I think the development will truly help the neighborhood."

Willie Cummingham, president of the Business improvement district says, "We think it’s a good something like this happening on Atkinson Avenue and we look forward to continuing to work with Stark Foods."

It was a bit chilly on this day but the Starks laid it out with Chi and juices along with samplings of their traditional foods that I really liked, it was a celebration. While they all opened with prayer at the end of the groundbreaking ceremony, Charnjit and her family huddle together as her husband poured the libation to fertilize the land with blessings from the Creator. He then joined the rest of the family holding hands as they jointly prayed calling on the ancestors and thanking them for their spirits.

Hey, Charnjit Chaur what a vision to make real. I love that you and your family have lived among the Black people that you do business with. People like you makes one think there is still hope in the world, thank for daring to stay in our community and uplifting rather than sucking it dry. Council Member McGee what can I say about you. They say you do not attend to your constituents, you do not care, you are not a good alderman well tell all the nay sayers that Starks Foods won’t say that, neither will Troy Reese of Reese Corporation who also lives in the neighborhood nor will neighbors like Theresa Hibler.

And I-Witness says let’s just tell the nay sayers, when you grow up be like Mike, who fights for his community by any means necessary, tries to bring opportunity to those who have no access and he was raised love and care about your community with action. A job well done Mike, I love the way you do the things you do.

Disney’s "Beauty and the Beast"
I-Witness goes to the theatre...

Johnathan Parrish-Spence, as the Beast, dazzled theatre-goers during his recent performance in Wauwatosa West High School’s production of "Beauty and the Beast." (photo by Barbara White)

For the last two years, I have been attending the annual performance of the Trojans Players at Wauwatosa West High School, a theatre troupe, at the invitation of Johnathan Parrish Spence, a young man I have known all his life.

Johnathan is one of I-Witness’ favorites. He’s an excellent student, an accomplished violist, a writer, co-author of the book "A Trilogy of Poetry, Prose and Thoughts for the Mind, Body & Soul," poet and now a leading actor. Yes, and he’s only 16 and a sophomore in high school. His dream is to become a doctor. However, I know the acting bug has bit him so he will just have to do both. He is the son of Joseph and Sheila Spence.

This year’s production was "Beauty and the Beast" with Johnathan in the lead role as the Beast. It is a love story of a beautiful young woman who finds love in an undesirable and unattractive man who is considered a beast because of his appearance and he does mean things to people because of the town’s people fear of him due to his looks.

Neither the Beast nor the other characters living in his mansion were aware they had been cursed and that altered there physical state making them different from everyone else. Moral of the story: always judge a person on character and what is in their hearts, not their appearance.

Elizabeth Fritz who was really lucky to be working with so many talented veteran-student actors from last year directed the play. I remembered a few of the student actors from last year’s production, including Johnathan.

The Trojans Players could very well be the envy of many theatre production companies. They have a talent pool of support that is unreal like Thomas Weissgerber the choreography was good, the orchestra pit director David Topolovec as well as the students who make up the orchestra, the music director Jason Meissner and last the parents who support their children and the theatre troupe.

The set was absolutely gorgeous a true wonderland. Maggie Humphrey, who played Belle the love interest of the Beast, and Michael Koszewski, who played Gaston the other pursuer of Belle, gave excellent performances with Johnathan.

There were other characters that gave great performances and had us in laughter as they tried to teach the beast how to be a gentleman and pursue Belle.

Johnathan as the Beast sang three beautiful solos, "How Long Must This Go On," "If I Can’t Love Her" and "Something There." Hey y’all, he is no joke ... he can blow and he does it beautifully! Broadway look out here comes Johnathan.

Johnathan was not without his posse many came to support him and enjoy the wonderful play: Lorraine Carter, president Carter Child Development Center; Catherine Miles, president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority-EKQ chapter; Commissioner Lindsey Draper, Attorney Lovell Johnson and family, Attorney Susan Jaskulski and family, Ana and Glenn Berrios-Schroder, Jacqueline Moore Bowles, national president of Jack and Jill of America; along with many teen members of the Jack and Jill, Leah Anyanwu represented Top Teens of America.

Hey Johnathan, you know you are one of my favorites, you are multitalented and I love that you are academically smart as well. I cannot wait until next year’s performance hopefully I will get the chance to see you perform again. I give you and the Trojan Players, six pops and a snap. Keep advancing that next generation I love it!

Bringing Bronzeville back

Jewel Currie and Lamar Franklin of Garfield 502, Andre’ Lee Ellis of Andre’s on Garfield and Corey Smith of the soon to open Soche’ Milwaukee Restaurant and Lounge had a meet, greet and welcome to Soche’ Milwaukee at Garfield’s 502. Ben Watson, the ward captain of the district, was also on hand.

The men who are considered the powerhouses of entertainment and socializing in our community have invested millions into bringing quality entertainment and socialization back to our community as it once was back in the day of the Bronzeville era.

Corey Smith who is new to the area is no novice in business; he presently employs more than 100 people, and he and his wife LaMonica own several businesses.

I loved their discussion of the quirks in a business that they have incurred. These three businesses can have a combined capacity of over 500 that they can accommodate at one time. Each of the places offers their own unique specialty.

Garfield 502, an $800,000 investment caters to a more mature audience featuring live music and some of the best catfish and other entrees. (I-Witness hasn’t tried all of their foods) Many of the "Who’s Who" in the city frequents the place often.

Andre’ on Garfield is more of an artist place with a mixed generational customer base. Here you will find live music, theatre, comedy and poetry. While Andre’s does not have a kitchen he utilizes the businesses in the area for catering purposes or you can order right from 502 and they will deliver. Here, too, the "Who’s Who" of Milwaukee hang out.

The new $1 million Soche’ Milwaukee will bring a completely new element to the area. A more upscale clientele base of professionals citywide with the many deprived specialties of the area like steaks and lobster, fresh seafood brought in daily. There will be live entertainment and the building in appearance is really classy. Soche’ Milwaukee will officially open December 13 and will include valet parking.

The men talked of other new development coming to the area, talk of keeping the area clean by each business owner claiming their own space and keeping it clean.

They talked of security for the area more police presence, security cameras outside the buildings and other efforts they can do jointly and in collaboration with other businesses in the area.

Corey Smith was quite impressive he had researched the area well before making his investment and informed the others of a few things they were unaware of about the area. Smith is also bringing a coffeehouse to the area; he owns several Java Coffee House. His brother Gaulien Smith (aka Mr. Wonderful) of Gee’s Clippers will open a 20 seat upscale barbershop the largest we have heard of in the state right next door to his brothers place Soche’ Milwaukee on King Drive.

The men continued to chat and agreed to work together on many things to improve the area and provide good service and all that come to their establishments a good time.

Y’all know I-Witness loved it, Black men doing business and creating jobs. Here again that little Alderman Mike McGee played his role in assisting these guys in their endeavors.

Hey, Jewel, Corey, Andre’ and Lamar y’all made me fall in love that night all over again with Black men. Y’all are not the kind of men this city wants to highlight. You are men who know how to dream and make your dreams come true; thus spreading those visions to touch others through employment. You men recognize that economic development is vital to any community, raising the value of our quality of life and property.

I wish all of you the best in your endeavors keep doing the good things, I love it!

All the places will host New Year’s Eve parties. Garfield 502 will host their Christmas Party on December 11, from 4-9 p.m. and a formal sit down dinner of lobster and steak on New Year’s Eve. I will provide the Christmas and New Year’s activities for Andre’s on Garfield and Soche’ as soon as they are available.

Watch out: "Dreamgirls" are coming

Many of you may have heard of the play "Dream Girls" where Jennifer Holiday sang that song "No, I’m not going" and had all her sistas telling the brothas we ain’t going, Holla! I-Witness saw the original play and it was goooood! Well the Tony Award-winning musical has come to the big screen casting many heavy hitters in superb roles.

UW-Milwaukee VP Joan Prince and Milwaukee County Economic Director Freida Webb joined I-Witness for a special Media Night screening at the Oriental Theatre.

Y’all know how we mix real life with our entertainers. Rumor has it; the original play was based on the life of the singing group the Supremes, Berry Gordy of Motown Records and other Motown artist. Therefore, I can be a real critic on this one, Holla!

The three of us had dinner at Brown’s Ham House and chatted with Mr. B., who is always too funny. Then we headed to the theatre.

Many folks were already there, including WKKV V100.7- radio personality Reggie (Smooth as Butta) Brown, WNOV860 personality Homerrrr Blow and numerous others were on hand to view the movie.

We all chatted about the movie with anticipation and excitement. Of course, I-Witness cannot do the movies without popcorn and soda; it is just not right, Holla!

Okay it’s Show Time... The scene is in the 1960s to mid-70s, the movie follows the rise of a trio of women, Effie (Jennifer Hudson of "American Idol"), Deena (Beyonce Knowles) and Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose), who form a girls’ group called The Dreamettes.

A car dealer, Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Jamie Foxx) becomes their manager at a talent competition and soon discovers them. Taylor offers them the opportunity of a lifetime to become the back-up singers for headliner James
Thunder Early (Eddie Murphy). Curtis gradually takes control of the girls look and sound, eventually giving them their own shot in the spotlight as The Dreams. That spotlight, however, begins to narrow in on Deena, finally pushing the less attractive Effie out altogether. Though the Dreams become a crossover phenomenon, they soon realize that the cost of fame and fortune may be higher than they ever imagined.

From beginning to the end, the movie dazzled Joan, Freida and I. We ohhhed and ahhhed, mouth wide open through out the whole movie just like everyone else there.

The set was fantastic and the fashions were to die for the group wore clothing that was too sharp. They wore these red mini-jumpers with the "Hullabaloo" or "Shindig" boots ... that was too cute. Joan and I decided that the three of us were going to get those outfits and wear them becoming the Holla Girls, I loved it! Of course, I will not tell their ages but they used to wear real outfits just like them back in the day, I just do not know if they could sing and act, Holla!

Eddie Murphy can sing and dance y’all, he was the bomb with his processed hair, I loved it. I sometimes thought he was James Brown in his hey day.

My boy Jamie Fox was dynamic, a risk taker and a good businessman. And, my sistas, he was a real canine, but he was goooood at it.

Danny Glover was sweet, traditional and just the talented actor that he is. The good guy who always teaches you patience, loyalty and staying true to yourself.

Beyonce Knowles not only knew how to wear those clothes, she razzled us with a good performance next to some of the best in the business. In addition, for all of you who think it is just beauty and booty, well Beyonce can blow and she showed us her best is yet to come.

Okay, while every last one of the actors were at the top of their game, our little sister Jennifer Hudson blew us all out the water. We say she can sing ... well that girl sang that song bringing us to our feet, knocked us dead, ohhh, ahhhh, and we all know we have not seen nothing yet, your loss "American Idol," Holla!

For those of you who are not familiar with theatre it is a real hard transition for those in movies to do theatre but Fox, Hudson and Knowles did the back and forth transition from theatre vocals back to movies like no one I have ever seen, they were Phenomenal.

After the movie ended all any of the spectators could do was sit there. I mean no one in the theatre could move. That is the way this well selected and talented cast left us, begging for more. In the lobby, everyone’s sentiments were that "Dreamgirls" was going to be nominated for an academy award and they loved it!

The director of "Dreamgirls" is Bill Condon who adapted the screenplay from the stage musicals original book by Tom Eyen. He won an Academy Award for his screenplay "Gods and Monsters," which he also directed. Condon also received an Oscar nomination for his screenplay adaptation of Chicago.

Laurence Mark is an Academy Award-nominated producer for the movies "Jerry Maguire," "As Good As It Gets" and "I, Robot." He is the producer of "Dreamgirls," along with Patricia Whitcher as executive producer.

Other supporting cast members Keith Robinson of the movie Fat Albert, Sharon Leal, TVs "Boston Public," and three-time Tony Award winner Hinton Battle of "Miss Saigon," "The Tap Dance Kid," and "The Wiz" fame.

Hey, Eddie, Jennifer, Beyonce, Jamie... Y’all know you showed out! I do not get too excited about things but y’all rocked me. I think opening day is going to break records like they have not seen before and I am encouraging all our readers to get out and go see it you will love it. Wishing all of you the best in your endeavors, keep doing the good stuff, I love it!

P.S. Okay, y’all I know some of y’all are saying, "I-Witness never asks me to do anything with her." Well just send your name and contact info to me at the "Community Journal" and each time I do the movie thang I will pull a name out and you can go out and hang with me at the movies, we may even do dinner, Holla!

All-stars and QF&H

The All-star Sports Bar and QF&H are collaborating in a joint venture. Chawnett Hicks, executive manager of the famed QF&H Restaurant and Roslyn Dandridge, formerly a sales rep with WKKV V100.7 have formed Hicks and Associates and will now manage the sports bar, which is owned by Kevin Taylor. (Pretty) Ben Watson and I were hanging out.

According to Chawnett, Hicks and Associates were simply going to manage the kitchen. "And then we were asked to manage it all due to our strong business skills so that Taylor and partners could really learn how to manage the business, which is new." She continues, "so far we have changed the format, brought in many of our people and our signature dishes and we are moving to a more mature audience."

The All-star Sports Bar is huge it has three floors and 57 televisions of all kinds. The third floor is more like a cool out space and game room with a bar and reclining chairs and tables for cards and chess. The first floor is more of a restaurant area with two bars, and a nonsmoking section. The lower level is a banquet hall for parties and weddings.

Ralph Johnson, the bartender hooked a sista up with their signature martini and they were good.

Servers, like Kayana Oliver, flowed throughout the hall giving samples of many of their signature dishes, like spinach artichoke dip, which was really good, BBQ Chicken pizza, Philly Cheese steak, the All-star sampler, a soup of the day and the All-Star signature ribs and catfish. Of course, all of their signature side dishes will be the QF&H specials.

I tried a number of the samplers like the spinach dip, the dressing, the beans and rice and they were really good. Ben who does not eat meat had the candied yams and spinach dip and he loved it! I will have to return at another time to try several of their signature dishes and rate them, can’t wait to try the pizza, ribs and catfish but I do know that the Signature Martini is 5 snaps and a pop.

Josephine Hicks, owner of QF&H was on hand for the grand opening and says she supports her daughter Chawnett in her new endeavor 100% and she may be assisting her from time to time at the sports bar.

I chatted with Taylor and asked what brought him and Hick & Associates together? He stated they run such a good business at QF&H that he thought they would be good to assist him.

Roslyn Dandridge will handle all the promotions and marketing of the sports bar she has a degree in marketing and has been working in her field for more than 17 years. She states we thought it was time we did our own thing. Justin Westmoreland of Creative Coordinating will also assist in giving atmosphere to the club.

Hey Chawnett, Roslyn and Kevin I wish y’all the best in your new endeavor. I know I can always come to your place and watch TV, Holla! I enjoyed my stay and will be back. Keep growing Black people in business, I love it!