Views from Point Breeze

The hype actually began last year with Jonathan Wright's 49th Birthday party.  Kurtis Blow was the surprise guest and he turned the party out.  Yes, Kurtis Blow of rap fame.  Big Jon is like that!  We received a save the date card back in June.  Jon was reserving a block of rooms at the Hamilton Hotel and December 27th, 2014 was the date to be in the place.  I wonder if the owners of the Hamilton are related to Edward 'Rab' Hamilton?  If they are, I didn't get the family discount. We had an awesome time at our annual Christmas Eve party.  Shawn and I didn't get a chance to do a count, but I would say that about 60 people attended the soiree.  Big shout out to Tasha and Mike Samuels for the chicken.  Kia and Leslie Pinkney for the Swedish Meatballs and Pasta Salad.  It was a bottle of Hennesey tucked in there also.  Marta and Moo Cottman for the Chicken Salad and adult beverages.  Trevor for the Sangria and beef brisket....

I was horrified by a string of recent murders carried out in Pennsylvania.  A father kills his ex-wife, her mother, a nephew and a number of other relatives.  He then kills himself after an extensive manhunt.  Bradley Stone was an Iraq war veteran and had been discharged honorably.  He was trying to cope with the effects of Post Traumatic War Syndrome.  He committed these crimes in a bucolic section of Pennsylvania in which the first response will often be, 'This type of thing doesn't happen around here'.  It doesn't make it any better that this event happened right before Christmas.  While many of us are watching Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer for the 50th time, this family is planning multiple funerals. The aspect of this crime that concerns me is the veteran status of the perpetrator.  We have so many young men and women that have been exposed to war and the atrocities that are committed during war.  My idea of a veteran is a seventy yea...

A major NFC East battle looms tonight.  Philadelphia Eagles fans were treated to a convincing win over their bitter rivals on Thanksgiving Day.  We went into Dallas and handled the business 33 - 10.  Tony Romo was falling on the ground untouched numerous times during the game.  We are both 9 - 4 and the possibility that the loser will not gain a playoff berth is serious motivation for players and fans alike.  I am focused on getting some housework done while the 1:00 and 4:00 games are on today.  Christmas decorations are calling. Mark Sanchez had a serviceable game on Turkey Day.  We do miss the long ball though and Chip Kelly has not been dialing those up consistently.  Jeremy Maclin seems to be struggling in Nick Foles' absence.  We no longer have DeSean Jackson to stretch the field.  He is in purgatory in Redskins land right now so we have to work with what we have.  I need to see Zach Ertz get untracked tonight.  Riley ...

I am prompted to write this article by an article that I read on CNN yesterday.  It featured a pamphlet written by what I would call a terrorist group.  It was entitled 'Questions and Answers on Female Slaves and their Freedom.'  It was written by leaders of ISIS in what can only be described as a situation closely resembling hell on earth.  The U.S. was involved in air strikes trying to save they Yasidi population in Iraq.  They had been driven into the mountains by ISIS fighters and it seems that the real purpose was to enslave the women.  Many of the men and boys over ten years old have been murdered as there is no need for their services. As an African American, my ancestors experienced the horrors of slavery here in the United States.  My Great Grandfather, Grandfather and Mother and Father were born in South Carolina.  In the 1800's this was a slave holding state and one of the original members of the Confederate states of America.  ...

It is Cyber Monday.  I am not exactly sure when this designation was accorded to this day but retailers will do their best to drum up business.  I understand the growing population of people who sit at home and order anything from televisions to couches on-line.  It made for a hectic season when I was driving as a contractor for Fed Ex.  It is a back on the grind day for me.  I am trying to stay afloat in this job market and want to one day partake in the Cyber Monday spoils.  I wish consumers and retailers happy shopping. One of the highlights of my Thanksgiving Holiday was celebrating the 1st Birthday of my Granddaughter Malayja.  It was on November 26th.  What started out as a small gathering for cake and ice cream turned into an all out party.  Kevin, Ronnie, Reggie, Mike, Denise and CJ Wallace were here.  My Sister Kia Boggs-Pinkney and Karen attended.  Julius, Gram and Mom Bell were also here.  I usually celebrate with...