(NNPA)—Dear Gwendolyn: Last July, my boyfriend became my fiancé. We went to a family gathering and when he drove me home, he got down on his knees and proposed. I was too happy. It was a dream come true. We have dated for six years. I am now 26 and thought he would never ask the question, “Will you marry me?” When my family and lady friends heard the news, they were all happy for me, including his male friends. Late that night before going to bed, my grandmother said she wanted to have a talk with me. She told me to set the wedding date one year from now giving me time to rid my life of single women friends. Grandma further explained. She said, “No married woman should have single women sitting around. They will take your man.”
Last week the spotlight was on Pittsburgh as Pittsburgh Fashion Week took over the city with six days of events featuring both local and national designers. Now in its third year the annual event has revolutionized the Pittsburgh fashion scene and improved the city’s credibility in the fashion industry. “I see growth. I’m definitely seeing more and more local designers emerging from the hills of Pittsburgh,” said Miyoshi Anderson, PFW’s founder. “We’re continuing to bridge the gap between the fashion industry and the Pittsburgh community.” ECO CHIC—Pittsburgh Fashion Week Founder Miyoshi Anderson at the opening event. (Photos by J.L. Martello) The weeklong event kicked off on Sept. 24, with the Opening Night Extravaganza “Green is the New Black,” Eco-Chic Fashion Show. Designers Lana Neumeyer, Mary Margaret and Faith Pongracz showcased lines made of sustainable fabrics and materials.
Thursday 4 Jazz Jam CJ’s Restaurant & Lounge presents “The Roger Humphries & RH Factor Jazz Jam Session” at 8 p.m. at 2901-2911 Penn Ave., Strip District. There will be live jazz and fun every Thursday night. Must be 30 years or older and there is a dress code that will be enforced. No tennis shoes, sweats, or athletic gear. For more information, call 412-642-2377.
This week I visited Kelly’s Bar in East Liberty, Tim’s Bar in the Hill District, Shadow Lounge in East Liberty and the North Side Elks Lodge in the Hill District. My first stop was at Tim’s Bar in the Hill District, where Gwenny Starr celebrated her birthday with family and friends. Birthday man Stephan Broadus, of the New Pittsburgh Courier, and the gang at Kelly’s Bar in East Liberty. My next stop was at the Shadow Lounge in East Liberty, where my boy Mike held a reggae event and it was off the chain. Everyone came out to listen to great music and get their party on.
You probably shouldn’t have ordered the super-size fries. That’s what you were thinking after you finished the last of your double cheeseburger-add-bacon. When you ordered, fries sounded good—although maybe not so many. And your soda, well, the word “small” needs redefining. Nothing worse than cold fries, so you wadded them up with your sandwich wrapper, slurked the rest of your drink, and threw everything away. You’ll think twice about that next time, once you’ve read “The Last Hunger Season” by Roger Thurow.
(NNPA)—Dear Gwendolyn: I am about to go out of my mind. This is the problem: My husband is a true fan of sports. His favorite is football, then basketball. I work six days a week from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. When I get home, I cook and after we eat, I clean the kitchen and the bathrooms. While I am exhausted, he is on the couch relaxing and watching a game or on the computer. If he doesn’t start helping with the chores, our marriage is going to end. My women friends say I should insist on having at least one night for “date night.”—Jean
(NEW YORK CITY)—Veteran New York fashion week attendees know that some of the best designer collections during the weeklong event are shown away from the official venue. That was true at Bryant Park, and it has remained true since Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week moved to Lincoln Center in 2010. SHAUNTELE RICHARDSON, designer, flanked by models at Harlem Fashion Row’s Fashion Show. Two emerging Black designers who showed here in September and who are worth watching are womenswear designers Shauntele Richardson and LaQuan Smith. Both are New York natives who debuted their labels in 2008 and showed their spring 2013 collections the same day at hotels a few blocks apart.
Thursday 27 Jazz Jam CJ’s Restaurant & Lounge presents “The Roger Humphries & RH Factor Jazz Jam Session” at 8 p.m. at 2901-2911 Penn Ave., Strip District. There will be live jazz and fun every Thursday night. Must be 30 years or older and there is a dress code that will be enforced. No tennis shoes, sweats, or athletic gear. For more information, call 412-642-2377.
This week I visited the Flamingo Bar in the Hill District, CJ’s in the Strip District, Galaxy Lounge in Homewood, Tim’s Bar in the Hill District and Savoy Restaurant in the Strip District. My first stop was at the Flamingo Bar in the Hill District where DJ Bubblegum was doing his thing on the 1’s and 2’s for the crowd. Marisa Bartley of the Urban League and Rev. Glenn Grayson at the Watch Party and Fundraiser” held at Savoy Restaurant in the Strip District. Congratulations to the Grayson Family for winning on the Family Feud.
One of your favorite things to do in the world is to color and draw. You love adding colors to a picture and using your creativity. Why can’t a pony be purple? Why not give someone blue hair? What’s wrong with drawing your Dad with a flower growing out of his head? It’s your picture, right? As long as there’s a box of crayons by your elbow, you’re a happy kid and someday, you might be a world-famous artist. But what if there was a picture of you hanging in a museum? In the new book “Hope Somewhere in America” by Sydelle Pearl, illustrated by Astrid Sheckels, you might see what it’s like.
