Monday, December 10, 2012

WHAT WE TELL OUR BLACK SONS, A POEM By Beatrice Vasser

                           What We Tell Our Black Sons

                         If you are stopped by a policeman
                         raise your hands, fall to the ground,
                         spread eagle, then pray.
                         You are a black male and I want you
                         live to see another day.

                         Never walk alone, protection in groups
                        Be mannerable, say yes, sir or yes, mum.
                        Keep head bowed, do not look directly into their eyes.
                        They find it threatening, this gives them a reason
                        to stand their ground, that may mean death for you.

                        Do not wear a hoodie like Trayvon Martin
                        while carrying skittles to his little brother
                        in Sanford, Fla- dead.

                        Nor walk home in the Homewood area like Jordan Miles
                        with pop in his pocket in Pittsburgh, Pa- beaten mercilessly

                       Johnny Gammage driving a Jaguar late at night
                       through Brentwood, Pa-- dead.

                      I tell you son, being by yourself at night
                      walking or driving when black
                      can endanger your life. It frightens me.
                      Please, I beg you, listen to me,
                      you cannot fight the "stand your ground" law.

                     By Beatrice Vasser
                     Beatrice Vasser is retired teacher and licensed
                     professional counselor.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Program Given by The Francis Street Friendly Circle Club Titled TEA TIME That Was Held at the Centre Avenue YMCA on April 15, 1956 for the Benefit of the Centre Avenue YMCA

Black Buzz News Service
Mrs. Beatrice Saunders Robinson Project
Saunders Robinson Archives
Pittsburgh, PA
December 6, 2012


                                               
                       
                             
                 
                                                   
             
    Blogger Black Buzz's mother, Mrs. Beatrice Saunders Robinson was the longtime president of the Francis Street Friendly Circle.  His father, James S. Robinson, Jr. gave the greeting from the Block Clubs as part of the program.

Miss Ann Sharpe now Mrs. Ann Haley, was one of the aides on the program and is now an active board member of the Centre Avenue and Thelma Lovett YMCA.  Ann's mother, Mrs. Mattie Sharp was the historian of the Francis Street Friendly Circle Club.

Miss Marlene Stevens was also one of the aides on the program and her mother, Mrs. Georgetta Stevens was the secretary of the Francis Street Friendly Circle Club.

Mrs. Harvey Hatcher was the founder of the Francis Street Friendly Circle and was the honorary president.
                 
The Francis Street Friendly Circle played a very significant historical role in the support of the Centre Avenue YMCA by giving camperships and general donations.  The club also helped neighbors to live better by donating foodstuffs, clothes and money.  Furthermore, the club contributed to the United Negro College Fund and other community programs for the general well being of the community.  All the members' sons and daughters were active participants of the various well run comprehensive programs at the Centre Avenue YMCA.  On Saturday nights, Blogger Black Buzz along with another young man used to keep score for the Church League basketball games held at the Y by manually changing the scores using metal block numbers.  The  basketball played in the Church League at the Y was better than the basketball played in scholastic competition.  It was in the Church League where many of the top basketball players in the city honed their skills.

Francis Street Friendly Circle Club Gives the Centre Avenue YMCA It's First Television Set

Black Buzz News Service
Beatrice Saunders Robinson Project
Saunders Robinson Archives
Pittsburgh, PA
December 6, 2012

From left to right:  first person is unidentified, the little boy is David Peeler who is the father of Lawrence Peeler (the first African American teacher to work as a full-time teacher in the Pittsburgh Public Schools), unidentified man, Mrs.Beatrice Saunders Robinson, president of the club and Mrs. Harvey Hatcher, founder of the club.  This picture is to believed to have been taken in 1951 at the Centre Avenue YMCA located in the Hill District. 
                                               

Mrs. Beatrice Saunders Robinson Works Beyond the Call of Duty

Black Buzz News Service
Beatrice Saunders Robinson Project
Saunders Robinson Archives
Article Taken from the Pittsburgh Courier, December 3, 1953
Pittsburgh, PA
December 6, 2012

Note: Mrs. Beatrice Saunders Robinson was the president of the Francis Street Friendly Circle Club from its founding in 1947 to 1965.  Mrs. Beatrice Saunders Robinson is the mother of Ronald B. Saunders and Thomas J. Saunders, Jr.
                                   

Ronald B. Saunders Celebrates His Birthday with Family at the Fat Canary Restaurant in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

Black Buzz News Service
Ronald B. Saunders Project
Pittsburgh, PA
December 6, 2012



Fat Canary

When the ships sailed from the Old World to the New, they stopped in the Canary Islands for supplies.  One of the important provisions brought aboard was wine, referred to as "Canary".  The restaurant is named after a reference in the Colonial era poet John Lyly's poem, "Oh for a bowl of  fat Canary, rich Palermo, sparkling sherry..."
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I celebrated my birthday at the Fat Canary with my wife and other family members.  My entree was: Sweet Soy Grilled Pacific Salmon with Citrus Ponzu, Stir Fry Vegetables and Nori Rice.  The salmon's texture was excellent and it almost just melted in your mouth.  The entire meal from appetizer, entree to dessert along with the service and atmosphere were superb.  I would have to give this entire experience at the Fat Canary a *****+ rating.  I would highly recommend that anyone who is visiting Colonial Williamsburg to treat him or herself to a scrumptious meal at the Fat Canary.

                                       

VA trademarks term 'GI Bill' to shield vets from deception | McClatchy

VA trademarks term 'GI Bill' to shield vets from deception | McClatchy