"I Heard That" -- Jackie Speier Wins; More About France

by Rochelle Metcalfe, 2008-04-23

There’s a time and season for all things! Politically speaking, congratulations to former State Senator Jackie Speier on her win to complete the term of the late Democratic Representative Tom Lantos for California’s 12th congressional district. I was in Paris, France Election Day, voted by Absentee Ballot - Speier was my choice!

Jackie Speier is a very courageous lady, a fighter, a survivor! Timespan back to Jim Jones and the Jonestown Massacre, November 18, 1978, a time when she served as a congressional staffer for Congressman Leo Ryan, and part of the November 1978 fact finding mission to investigate allegations of human rights abuses by the Reverend Jim Jones and his Peoples Temple followers in Jonestown, Guyana. As you know Peoples Temple was headquartered in San Francisco on Geary Street, where now is the U.S. Post Office.

Horrible story! Through TV coverage, we saw Speier under fire at the airstrip in Jonestown Guyana when Jones attackers killed Rep. Ryan; she was shot, left for dead, miraculously saved, recovered from the near fatal bullet wounds, went on with her life, pursued politics, now in Washington, D.C. Met Speier in the late 80s, then State Assemblywoman from the 19th district, during a time I worked for the late State Senator Milton Marks on women's issues.

TGIF!! While in Paris missed listening to some funky music! Last Friday night back in the mix on DA ‘MO where the hottest action - musically - can be heard; this time at Rasselas on Fillmore groovin’ to the funky, get down sounds of the Sweet Potato Man (my call) Alvon rockin’ til his back (seemingly) had no bone, blazing on guitar and vocals backed by equally hip band - a Friday night treat, as well as Rasselas’ delicious Ethiopian food!

Off the scene for awhile, Owner Aganofer Shifferaw asked “where have you been?” The club was packed, thrilled everyone was glad to see me - as if I’d just stepped off the plane - a hearty welcome back home! Many knew about the trip to Gay Paree, read here in last week’s column!

I still had that frisky Paree glow Paris can give one! Hobnobbed with the Happy Hour in crowd that included: Gaynell Armstrong, Project Manager San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, joined by an entourage that included delightful Gina Solis, Redevelopment Commission Secretary; hardly recognized Dr. Toye Moses, Chair, African American Democratic Club (AADC), these days trim - looking good ( walking around lake Merced does him well).

Last week AADC announced it’s endorsement for the June Elections! Noticed State Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-13) on the list. Received an E-mail that listed several political women leaders will honor Assemblyman Leno this evening at a cocktail reception at Medjool here in the City.

Huddled in conversation, one ear listening to Alvon, seated at a cocktail table with a window view, to join one of my favorite ‘n’ handsome gents - André Williams, formerly of the San Francisco Mayor’s office, now Director of Homeless Services, Providence Foundation of San Francisco, located in the Bayview District. The Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable arm of Providence Baptist Church (Rev. Calvin Jones, Jr., Pastor) a 2,000-member congregation that has been a cornerstone of the predominately Black Bayview-Hunters Point Community for more than 60 years.

Since my departure from the Sun Reporter newspaper many have requested to get on my E-mail list, now readers of my new home - BeyondChron! Finally I can put a face with Suncerray Hudson’s E-mail address, seated near me enjoying the Happy Hour set with friends, that included Beverly Byrd; Perhaps the leader of the in crowd, petite Alice Stallworth, the sweetest lady with matching smile; Dr. James Calloway (beamed over the success of his recent workshop focused on education;...

Ahhhh, I jus’ love foxy tall buffed men - the evening acquainted me with Charleston Pierce - nominated “Man of the Year 2008” candidate for the Leukemia Society. The evening of April 30 he’s presenting a fundraiser “5 Designers and A Poodle Fashion Show” at Temple, located on Howard Street...Special Guest Wilkes Bashford. I love fashion shows - look for me!!! Info: (415) 989-0230.

Moving on - as I must - the regular gathering of savvy retired gentlemen who meet up on Fridays, that include Andrew Citizen ... talked about Paris, interested to hear what I had to say. Big Mac - Leamond McGriff, Sr., retired City employer; Harrison Chastang (KPOO News Director and Friday night Jazz D.J. came by after leaving the station - wanted to know all about my trip, as he’s traveled to Paris many times. He shared he’d interviewed Mademoiselle Robin Bates, the lady whom I traveled with to Paris, about her new book “Soul on the Seine.”

Aaron Dunn, of MUNI, son of legendary Fillmore club owner Minnie Baker (Minnie’s Can-Do”). He’s planning a special celebration for mom who is one dynamic lady traveling the high seas - Merchant Marines, soon to retire! Aaron’s road dog Julius Banks missed, down with pneumonia - Infact both were ill (Aaron with back problems) while I was away - Dag fellows can’t leave town without you two making a trip to the hospital!;...

Rev. Arnold Townsend, Western Addition community activist , and Keith Jackson, former member of the San Francisco Board of Education; The man called Money Banks sportin’ Black tux, exited a long Black limo driven by his brother Gary Banks (Heard he’s trying to grab a business spot on Fillmore within the Jazz district - hey, former site of Powell’s restaurant STILL vacant!); handsome photographer Monsieur Paul Forte kissed the back of my hand like a Frenchman! Merci beaucoup!

PARIS Musing (get use to it!). I was touched by BeyondChron’s Managing Editor Paul Hogarth’s response to last week’s column reference Paris - in essence he shared he’s half-French, Paris is like a second home to him and hadn’t visited in the past few years “your description almost made me cry. Make me really think back about some great memories - I'm so glad you enjoyed my mother country!” Paul, so much so, planning to return next April!

Travelers who took the “Black Paris Diva” tour, strangers who came together in Paris, were happy over the coverage! So many words to say about the City of Lights, will be reminiscing about things remembered, people met! Didn’t have the space last week, BUT reunited in friendship with Sistuh’ Ricki Stevenson at Lionel Hampton’s Jazz Club, located within the upscale Meridien Hotel on Blvd. Gouvion St. Cyr.

Ricki hails from the Bay Area, grew up in East Palo Alto and still keep a residence in Oakland. Fell in love with Paris and its history that include Black Paris, there since 1997 when she formed “Ricki Stevenson’s Black Paris Tours,” that take you to hang outs, haunts and places made famous by African America Musicians, writer, artists. She was featured in the April issue of Ebony Magazine.

I met Ricki long before she moved to Paris, when she worked as a Bay Area TV Newscaster, and international travel reporter (believe PBS). We’ve communicated on several occasions;especially in 2006 prior to the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Josephine Baker, June 3rd, and commemoration gala . Ricki encouraged me to come over - finances short.

Finally, there at the Jazz club, we hugged, exchanged pleasantries, during chanteuse Malou Beauvoir’s performance (sorry about that!). Thanks for the compliment “Your energy is legend!” meaning how long I’ve been out here covering the scene writing “I Heard That!”. Good News - Ricki is coming home to Oakland in August to get married to her college sweetheart!!! It’s a wonderful love story!...AHHH SWEET PARIS memories!

HEY, IT’S NICE TO BE NICE AND TO ALL OF YOU OUT THERE ... LOOK FOR ME ... I’LL BE THERE ...
E-mail Rochelle at iheard@earthlink.net