Any night’s a great night for the movies with I-Witness

Pictured are those individuals who hung out with I-Witness at the recent screening of "Norbit," held at Mayfair Mall. (photo by Barbara White)

I-Witness at the Movies

I love going to the movies when the radio stations are the host. This time Jammin’ 98.3 was the host. James Hall was running around the theatre with an Angela Davis Afro wig on; he was too much, Holla!

I have told many of you to send in your name by e-mail, mail or drop it off at our office, so when I do the movies you can go hang out with me. Something new has been added to my night out at the movies Corey Smith of Soche’ Milwaukee will host I-Witness and her three guests for dinner after the theatre. So, get those names in.

This week Freida and Jackie Webb along with Mac Weddle (the Big Mac) joined me to watch the movie "Norbit" starring Eddie Murphy at Mayfair Mall. Y’all know I cannot watch the movies without popcorn so my mystery man was at the theatre and he treated us to popcorn and things.

DreamWorks Pictures Presents "NORBIT"

"Norbit" is a funny movie with real life fun poking; keep in mind that it is strictly entertainment.

It is a typical boy meets girl loses girl then finds her again movie except Norbit meets Kate (Thandie Newton), at a Chinese restaurant/orphanage and is raised by a Chinese man named Mr. Wong. (Who was played by Murphy). Norbit and Kate became fast friends at the orphanage and instantly were inseparable.

They became soul mates at nine years until Kate was adopted and left the orphanage. It destroyed Norbit who became very lonely, withdrawn, until Rasputia (played by Eddie Murphy) who attended the same school came along, she was no raving beauty, and she was burly and very mean spirited. After, defending Norbit when three boys tried to jump him Rasputia and Norbit at ten-years-old were inseparable from grade school all through high school.

She was in charge of his whole life even when they got married. With Rasputia, being such a bully Norbit became so henpecked and timid that he jumped at her every command. Of course, her having three thug brothers who owned a construction company helped to further intimidate him as well as the whole town in Tennessee.

Murphy was dynamic in his characters as Mr. Wong and Rasputia; there is no one better at playing duo characters as Murphy. Rick Baker was the special make-up artist, who made Murphy up in the Mr. Wong and Rasputia characters; he is very talented. Murphy also co-wrote the film and screenplay with his brother Charles Murphy.

The movie was hilarious the cast had us laughing all the way through. Pope Sweet Jesus played by Eddie Griffin who is one of my favorite comedians and y’all know it; he was a pimp who owns a Bar B Q shack and his partner who was too funny, Katt Williams was called Lord Have Mercy. Just imagine Murphy, his two other characters and Eddie G. and Williams. You know they had us rollin’.

Cuba Gooding, Jr. as Deion Hughes, former pro football player for the LA Rams, San Diego Chargers and the Washington Redskins, Terry Crews-Big Jack, Clifton Powell as Earl Lester, "Rasta" Speight as Blue and Marlon Wayans as Buster were the supporting cast and they were funny as well.

None was funnier than Rasputia (Murphy) it was her way or no way and if you did not roll the way, she wanted she would do you. The audience as well as I never quit laughing.

They say behind every bit of humor is a serious note. Most of the things we laughed at in the movie were domestic abuse/violence of the serious kind, obese people, and unattractive folks, orphans who are willing to put up with anything just to be part of a family, other cultures and stereotypes. The undercurrents were stinging. However, it was meant to be a comedy and these are some of the things we laugh at. The movie was funny, but not the adult Eddie Murphy we have come to enjoy.

Often when I do the movie thing Kimberly Brown and her crew are there, Ella Mae Latiker, Pam Hall, Teneaka Murray and Jasmine Farquharson.

Kim gave "Norbit" three snaps and a pop; Jasmine gave it five snaps and a pop.

I-Witness gives "Norbit" three snaps and a pop. (Rating 1-6) If you like comedy go see it; you will crack up all through the movie, it is funny.

"Norbit" is a John Davis Production, a Brian Robbins Film, Executive Producers Brian Robbins David Householter, Produced by John Davis, Eddie Murphy and Mike Tollin, Story by Eddie Murphy and Charles Murphy, Screenplay by Eddie Murphy and Charles Murphy, Jay Scherick and David Ronn and Directed by Brian Robbins.

Les Hunter the visual effects producer had some really good effects. The music score was an Ol’ School score but good. Director of Photography, Clark Mathis led the creative team. Production Designer Clay A. Griffith, film Editor Ned Bastille, A.C.E. and Costume Designer Molly Maginnis, with music by David Newman.

Afterwards, Big Mac Freida, Jackie and I headed over to the Cheesecake Factory for a little belated birthday celebration for both Big Mac and I and to chat about the movie.

Overall, everyone thought the movie was funny, but had some criticism for it, such as some of the stereotyping in the film that could have left some questionable impressions on young people.

If I had to sum it up, as I stated before behind every piece of humor there is a serious note. It was a funny movie.

Saga continues with state election commission

Jeffery Norman

Okay y’all the state election commission has reverse the city’s commission’s decision to allow Jeffery Norman on the ballot. You may be aware that Jeffery Norman is running for Municipal Court Judge, Branch 3, he was denied ballot status due to the State Election Commission not receiving his ethic’s form, which is on record with the city election commission. The reason being sighted for the form not being filed is that the State Election Commission never signed for the mail that was sent.

State Ethics Board says Norman said he mailed it in on time but has acknowledged he cannot prove the board received it. Norman appealed the action to the City Election Commission and was reinstated on the ballot. Now the State Election Commission Executive Director Kevin Kennedy has weighed in and removed him again. Noting that ballots have already been printed and election planning is well under way, it said the action was "a gross abuse of a discretion it did not have." Again, there is a need to have the two election commissions investigated by the feds.

Jeffery Norman has launched a "Write in Campaign," he is actively continuing to campaign. If you are planning to vote for Jeffery Norman he is distributing a ballot sticker with his name on it, all you have to do is stick it where you would vote for judge of the Branch 3. You can also write his name Jeffery Norman in the spot where it says "Write In" on the Ballot. The election will be held February 20, 2007.

Alderman McGee

In the meantime, they get even messier; the City Election Commission ruled today that the Recall Election of Alderman McGee would be held. They have changed the date to March 3, 2007. You talk about a mess this is messy.

The State Election Commission who acted very cowardly by not making a decision when the challenge to the signatures in the McGee Recall were presented in an appealed to them Executive Director Kevin Kennedy, sent it back to the city commission to make the decision as to the recall election going forward. It is very interesting that they voted to proceed with the recall election, which implies there are all kinds of hands in this who wish the Alderman no good.

I am calling on this community and the people of the Sixth District to become "We the People" and support the Alderman.

In every Democracy, there must be opposition to make it work; Alderman McGee is that to the status quo and ruling. No, he is not perfect, he is human just like you and I but his voice represents and fights for many in his district as well as the city as a whole.

We know whenever there is a fight for simple human rights most tuck their tails and run, Alderman McGee stands toe to toe with anyone in the fight for human justice, equity and freedom for all and he is one of the most effective Aldermen in the city. I say let’s keep the voice that fights for dignity, let’s keep the voice that battles for equity and let’s keep the voice that will speak out for justice irregardless to the color of their skin, Let’s Support Alderman McGee.

Red Carpet rolls out for the Oscars?

Birthday girl and owner of the Gallery Lounge, Stephine Spicer celebrated her birthday with Red Carpet glamour! (photo by Barbara White)

Yes, y’all it was "Oscar Night" and I attended the Academy Awards. There were the strolling lights against the black skies, in front of the Gallery Lounge, two man size gold Oscars graced the door as the red carpet was rolled out for all the nominees Monique Johnson, Gwen, Dineen Hillsman, Trenell Norwood, Sonya Leatherwood, Yolanda and Vette Sprewell, Angie Chingy, Janitce Reed, Tanya Atkinson, Michelle Browne Renetta Allen and Stephanie Spicer, owner of the Gallery Lounge who was celebrating her birthday big time.

It was a party y’all, Stephanie started her day off with a limousine bus "Pub Crawl" where they made the rounds to various other bars and clubs around the city. They stop at Soche’ Milwaukee for a birthday toast with Corey Smith owner of the club and dinner, moving on to Catfish Lounge, and then to Porkie’s Lounge where Blues and R&B singer, Tony TNT Washington and the Explosive Divas rocked her.

After accepting her Oscar, Stephanie and the other nominated Divas headed back to the Gallery. I love the Gallery because I always have a good time and one of my favorites Mr. Excitement bartends there.

As the Divas walked the red carpet, entering the Gallery, D.J. Calvin is rocking the house. Then the fans begin to cheer and applaud as the Oscar Winner Stephanie makes her grand entrance, the song, "Bad, Bad B" fills the air as she dances all the way in, in her fur chin chal La couldn’t tell me she wasn’t Beyonce’ and her fans loved it. They started chanting go Stephanie, go Stephanie, it’s yo’ birthday, it’s yo’ birthday, I loved it, I call it, "Ain’t no half stepping," Holla! The doors were locked and you know it the party was on.

Folks from everywhere were there to toast Stephanie on her birthday, Devon Reid of Question’s Night Club who brought her a bottle of champagne to toast her day. Stephanie’s Aunt and Uncle Denise and Lawrence Kendrick, were in the house and they know how to parteeee. It was nothing but love up in here and party too.

Hip-Hop Queen Michelle Allison as well as Jewel, Thea and Theresa Scales, the daughters of Harvey Scales, Gregory Emmons, the Diva Social Club, Tyrek was in the house and my sistas he was too fine, need I say sexy, sexy, Holla! Cindell Hayes, Jerry Michelle Chuck Khan, Brenda Bryant, Jerod Garner, Dance Master Houdini, Eric Clarfoir, and Trevor Brown were in the house as well.

Okay y’all the Gallery is the place where they have the Strippers Pole for those inquiring minds who want to know, Holla! You know the deal what goes on in Vegas stays in Vegas. Okay I will tell a little bit Hip Hop Queen Michelle was on the pole quite a bit and she had company, Holla! The husband and wife, Denise and Lawrence did the pole thing together it was wild, I loved it!

DJ Calvin was playing "come on and let me see yo’ body sweat girl, work ’em hips, run girl run." Denise had an audience of young guys watching her sweat around that pole, the young fellows were in seventh heaven. Holla!

Okay Stephanie we forgot it is your birthday, Holla! We can’t keep her off the floor as she sips her Diva Queen Bee Drink Monet’, Grand Marnier and orange juice wearing her Billie Holliday, white gardenia in her hair, I loved it!

Michelle is sipping apple martinis and doing what she does best. Fine Tyrek is on the pole and he is surrounded now by Stephanie, Michelle and Denise, my sistas let’s talk about sex.

He is sexy, sexy and mo’ sexy, and now he has taken his shirt off, It’s my birthday, oh no I mean it’s Stephanie’s Birthday, Holla! Y’all it’s a party up in there and D.J. Calvin was rockin’ the house non-stop.

D.J. Calvin was rockin’ the house with MCJ senior publisher’s son’s song "Everyday People" by Arrested Development, Okay Devon Reid was in his own world he was on the floor surround by four beauties and he appeared to be in a sandwich as the world turned, Holla! Go Devon, go Devon, Holla!

Stephanie I am not sure it was your birthday and that you were 49.99, I think it was everybody’s birthday on this night. I had a great time and I cannot wait until next year when you become a fifty-cent piece. You well deserved the Oscar this year, cause it was no half stepping, I loved it theatre bits and all, Happy Birthday!

Paying the cost to be the boss

Micah Washington (left) serenades her father, Eugene Smith (right), owner of Gene’s Supper Club and two other business. Smith’s employees recently honored him with a celebration for being a wonderful boss. (photo by Barbara White)

It was a usual celebration and it was meant to be a surprise but in small circles and in nightlife there are no secrets.

The employees of Gene’s Supper, Gene’s Nightlife and T’s Evergreen threw their boss Eugene Smith an appreciation party at Gene’s Supper Club. It was supposed to be a secret, but as the planning went about Gene knew something was up because everyone he ran into would say I am coming to the thing they are throwing for you, who says you can keep secrets in a small town like Milwaukee, Holla!

It was a full house and Lady B.J. was rocking the house, playing Gene’s theme song "Paying The Cost To Be The Boss" it was wild.

The employees of all of Gene’s enterprises say he is the greatest, they have worked for many people but none like him. As a boss he is fair, loyal and just an outright nice guy. They further wanted to recognize him for the many contributions he makes to his community. Not only is he continuously creating jobs, but also he contributes too many good things happening in our community, the Wal-Mart Back-to-school give away, and several scholarship funds as well as giving back to his customers.

Many came out to celebrate him, the Gene’s Supper Social Club, the Corvette Club, family came in from Racine James, Brenda, Dazzmontay, Natasha King, and his sister Virginia Dantzler, there was many hugs and kisses floating through the air.

The placed was dressed festively in red and black with floating balloons and a big banner across the mirror that said, "We love and appreciate you, Thank you, from your employees."

Let me just say for all those who told of the surprise appreciation party by accident I know, they did not tell everything and that is because they did not know Holla! Shelia Johnson, Gene’s significant other really surprised him by bringing in his daughter Micah and her husband Kelvin Washington who are from Long Beach, California.

The Moet’ Champagne was flowing as one by one many came to congratulate the man of the hour.

Gene was called up with all his employees and was presented with a proclamation on behalf of Alderman Joe Davis and the Common Council for the many great contributions he has made to our community. His employees then presented him with a plaque and a boutique of beautiful roses that the staff wanted him to smell one rose at a time to savor his blessings in life. He was also given his own "the boss parking sign" for his parking space, I loved it.

He thanked everyone but more importantly, he thanked his staff for being professionals and personalities. "Most of my success is all due to my staff and I cannot thank you enough."

At all celebrations, there are those really special moments, well Gene’s daughter Micah’s tribute to her dad was a song called "A Hero Lies In You." As she sang to her dad, the whole room went silent. Gene stood trying to hold back the tears. As Micah sang, you could see the pride in all the eyes of the fathers in the place beaming as now Gene has begun to let the tears flow. Everybody was on the verge of tears as Gene’s baby girl sang to her dad, he was her hero and she sang that song, Y’all. With tears, streaming from his eyes all Gene could say was: "that’s my daughter." Y’all a tearjerker.

Hey, Gene it was your day baby and I concur with all that was said, "You are some kind of wonderful." Keep doing the good stuff, I love it!

Protecting your heart

I would like to thank DeMarco Morgan for his story on WISN 12 featuring I-Witness showing all of you, I am an angel, Holla! Seriously, February is not only Black History Month. February is also American Heart Month.

The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women initiative, was launched in February 2004 to raise awareness that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women. Many of you found out I-Witness is a survivor of many heart attacks. DeMarco wanted to do a story to bring awareness to the seriousness of heart disease. So, he chose me.

According to the American Heart Association, African American women are more likely to die of coronary heart disease than Caucasian women are. African American women have greater incidences of high blood pressure and diabetes, both of which increase the risk of heart disease. More women die from heart attacks than any cancers and that includes breast cancer. The death rate from a first heart attack is twice as high in women under 50 as it is for men of the same age.

In women, the signs of a heart attack can be very different than they are in men. Instead of crushing chest pain, you may have lighter chest pain, stomach, or abdominal pain; nausea or dizziness; shortness of breath; heart palpitations; fatigue; and weakness. If you experience these symptoms, immediately chew a full-strength (325 mg) aspirin and head to the ER immediately.

Okay y’all know I love to eat but I do eat properly during the week, yes on the weekends, I will have my chicken wings but during the week, I eat healthy and smaller portions.

I did give up diet cherry coke and ginger ale, my favorites. Pure American regular naturally flavored water and sparkling water, which gives me that soda effect but has no calories, sugar, caffeine, and very little sodium and it comes in many flavors, mine are Black cherry and mixed fruit. I do exercise but do need to do more, so I am working on that. I still have Heineken on the weekend. In other words, I do things in moderation and I plan for when I am out how I can eat the things I like.

"So where do you begin? What can we do to reduce our risk factors?

1). Go to the doctor and ask for an echocardiography with exercise, also known as a stress echo test.

2). Redesign your diet, more fruits and veggies, baked or boiled foods, everything in moderation. Perhaps, smaller meals several times a day rather than the big meals.

3). Exercise 15 minutes twice a day is a good beginning.

4). If something or even somebody is hurting you, causing you a problem or stressing you out remove it from your life, yes, it will be hard but I guarantee you, you will begin to feel much better. Love yourself every morning by telling yourself you are going to have a great day and give yourself a big hug to start your day with little or no stress.