Susan Kommen Race for a Cure Downtown Houston

Congratulatons Cheryl Hamilton on running the 2008 Susan Kommen "Race for a cure" marathon benefitting breast cancer research. This year the event had over 30,000 participants running and numerous financial pledges supporting the cause on the sidelines.

Cheryl finished 3.1 miles in thirty five minutes. Cheryl Hamilton is a manager at Compass Bank & a mother of three. She began running as a way of staying in shape and relieving stress. This is her 2nd marathon this year but this one is very special to her as it was not only a personal goal to maintain her health as well as a commitment to finding a cure for a health condition that effects millions of women all over the world.

Cheryl. You are a champion, Girl! I'm right behind you next year, literally ;>

Luv,
K. Anntionette

5,000 Voter regristrants strong!!!

This is look of a very satisfied man. Mad Hatta remained vigilant & dedicated to his cause of registering 5,000 voters in Houston. Hatta held his position down at Sharpstown Mall since Tuesday until about 1pm Friday afternoon without a break until he reached his own personal goal of inspiring 5,000 voter registrant's within the sound of his voice. I overheard a very emotional Hatta on the radio broadcast expressing his passion about this election and was moved to show up and give him my respect. Upon arriving I learned that he reached his goal. When I approached him for a photograph he very humbly stated he had nothing to show as proof of his efforts. Wow! This man basically had a voter registration sit in which caused 5,000 plus people to register and he was concerned about wanting to prove it ... when I reviewed the photo, the look on his face said it all. The smile on his face is one of a man whose passion was inspired by another man's dream to be President. Anybody else would've been grumpy looking for the nearest shower but not Hattahe had the look of a man who won the race. Well... people this is just the beginning we may have 5,000 new voter's but now we need you to exercise your power to vote. Please be Hatta's proof and vote Nov 4, 2008. He started the work now it's up to us to finish it...don't let his sacrifice or the sacrifice of our ancestors be in vain and vote in this upcoming historic election.

This rally was a truly beautiful experience as I witnessed a very elderly lady (She was a blued eyed cataract's granny) register to vote for the first time. When I asked her what her motivation was she answered my granddaughter begged me to.

"I'm humbled and inspired by the commitment of Madd Hatta and the way my entire programming and promotions team along with the people of Houston are rallying around the cause. A lot of people talk about making a difference it's a whole other thing to make the commitment and act upon it. I'm proud to be the program director of such a GREAT team!"

After the storm celebrations!!

Ok guys! Now that we've somewhat recovered from Ike we can all get back to the bizness of celebration!!!! This Satuarday my good friend Iris Allen certified wine specialist for The Tasting Room invited me to attend the "Tasting for a Cause" fundraiser . Proceeds from the event benefitted The Red Cross & Hurricane Ike Relief. Guest enjoyed Three selections of wine:

Las Rocas de San Alejandro ‘Vinas Viejas’, Catalayud, Spain
La Posta de Vinatero Bonarda, Mendoza, Argentina
Elio Perrone ‘Bigaro’ Moscato/Brachetto, Piedmont, Italy (My personal fav! Absolutely delicious!)

On the patio we enjoyed tasty treats from the IKE Relief Grill Menu which included Angus & Buffalo burgers along with Hawaiian Pork, Thai chicken & Teriyaki Beef skewers.

Conversations flowed from table to table on various topics ranging from the Presidental debate to the lack of band participation in Highschools today. Specifically schools that are historically know for their competitve highschool bands.

Social Privy Tip> The right selection of wine can be paired with just about any dish to enhance flavor & spices. For example: If one were having Frenchy's chicken, the most complimentry wine selection would be a sparkling white or champagne. (I kid you not. Don't ask me how I know. I just know. Inside joke ;>)

I really and truly enjoy the vibe and the company that this sophisticated event attracts and encourage you to experience it for yourself.

Come support the Red Cross and Hurricane Ike relief efforts each Saturday at TTR Uptown Park! We're well on our way to reaching our goal of raising $25,000 to benefit those affected by this natural disaster, and we need your help to get there. Each Saturday from 4-close, we'll be grilling on the patio, listening to great live music, and TTR will donate $1 for each glass of wine sold, bottle of wine sold, and pizza sold on that day. We'll culminate the efforts at our Grand Tasting Event on Saturday, October 18 during the Houston Cellar Classic. A portion of all ticket sales for all Houston Cellar Classic events will be donated to the Red Cross. Come join other Texans Helping Texans as we "Party for the Cause."
SAVE THE DATE
Mark your calendars! As we present our annual Houston Cellar Classic for the week of October 13th - 19th!
http://www.houstoncellarclassic.com/

Happy Birthday Monie Luv & Erica!!!!!!

Later on that evening my good friend's Monique Eke Advertising Executive for 97.9 The Box & Erica Davis Dance Coordinater for the Houston Comet's Dancer's celebrated a "Pink & Blinged" Birthday at Uptown Tapas & Hookah Bar. The theme of the evening was present throughout the decor from the pink rose petals and rhinestones tabletops to the the pink candy apple party favors. Guest enjoyed a delicious signature drink entitled "The Pink Fling." Last but by far the best treat of the evening was a 3-tiered pink polka-dotted birthday cake created by Chef Al. (Hands down the best damn cake in Houston. Last year he designed a birthday cake to resemble a Chanel bottle for the birthday ladies.) In lieu of gifts Monique & Erica asked that guest bring items to be donated to The Houston Food Bank & Beyond the Court charity organization. Kudos! Social Privy Tip> Giving back is a good look!

The diva's were stunning in black cocktail dresses & stilleto's. (No tacky birthday $$$ corsages. I absolutely hate those. I think the only time they are acceptable are office functions or private affairs if ya know what I mean ;>) The pair looked radiant with an "It's my birthday-It's my birthday" glow all night long as they celebrated with friends & family in a very grown & sexy way.

Best wishes & many more celebrations for the both of you!!!
Luv ya

K. Anntionette

Can't keep a good woman down!

Ike...You can beat me up and run me out of my home. You can even tear up the place and leave me with no electricity & destroy all the food in my refrigerator. But guess what Ike...Still I rise.

Even after you did your bidness and had your way with my things. You thought it would be funny to add insult to injury by inconveniencing my lifestyle with pesky blinging stop lights and socially restricting curfews but guess what Ike... Still I rise

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom
"Cause I walk like I got oil wells pumping in my living room"

Well Ike... let me tell you something
I was born a strong black God-fearing woman
so I know how to handle fools like you.

Inspired by Maya Angelou

Ps: By the way Thanks for the practice because we will be ready for your crazay-@$$ cousins next hurricane season.

Luv ya
K. Anntionette

Can I borrow a cup of juice?

Alright Everyone!! I'm back but not at a 100% That damn Ike was a beast and like most of you I'm still without electricity. Funny thing is my neighbors in the million dollar homes across the street have lights. Would it be improper of me to ring the doorbell and ask if I could plug my extra-long a$$! extension cord into one of their sockets and borrow some juice?

No.

Alright then I was just askin'.

Luv ya;>
K. Anntionette

Naagh! naaggh! I dun told u Anna Mae!

****Attention Houston*****

This is a warning advisory courtesy of

Tina Turner

Please don't be a fool if you are in an mandatory evacuation area please take the proper per cautions and head for the Nutbush city limits. Take it from me I have a little experience with mean ass force's of nature named Ike and he dont take no ish'. Don't stay in a situation holding on and hoping for the best when you've seen what his evil ass sister Katrina did to your cousin's down the road. And please...Don't be stupid & wait for Ike to beat all upside your door while you're singing "I Don't Want to Fight Anymore" before you realize you can't take it and you want to leave. I know what it's like to be "Proud Mary" and misjudge what I thought to be a little hot wind and find out this fool is Mad Max beyond the Thunderdome. Trust me stumbling from hotel to hotel battered and bruised with 62 cents in your pocket looking for shelter ain't a good look. I know. For those of you who find a friend to take you in the midst of your flee. Be a good guest and bring your own supplies you don't want to burn up all their candles chantin' Brringggg gong gaahsee. Brringgg gong gaahsee.

I hope that you can learn from my life experience that sometimes it's better to make an escape plan instead of weathering the storm.

Luv,

I, Tina aka Anna Mae Bullock

Alright Houston we have been warned so let's be smart. All jokes aside: Matters not if you lose material things like cars, clothes & homes may God grant us mercy & grace to survive another day.

Be Safe :]

K. Anntionette

Cheers!!! @The Tasting Room

Saturday afternoon I took a international flight that connected through four countries. My 1st destination was in the region of Marche, Italy. The 2nd stop was in the region of burgundy, France. On my 3rd journey I found myself in Colchagua, Chile I was so engaged in a conversation with a fellow traveler that I missed my last flight to Napa Valley. Some how three hours later I arrived back at my original destination The Tasting Room @ Uptown Park.

Ok! I’m fly but not that fly. September 6 my good friend & sommelier Iris Allen invited me to take a wine flight called "Around the World in just Four Wines" presented by Mike Landry of Pioneer.

Social Privy Tip> A wine flight is a tasting pour (2.5oz) of four different wines served next to each other. Saturday’s Flight consisted of :
The 1st selection 2006 Umani Ronchi ‘Casa di Serra’Verdicchio
The 2nd selection 2006 Champy Chardonnay ‘Signature’
3rd selection 2005 Odfjell Vineyards Malbec (I really liked this one I’m a red girl.)
4th selection 2006 Orin Swift ‘The Prisoner’
Zinfandel 51%, Cabernet Sauvignon 23%, Syrah 12%, Petit Sirah 6%,Charbono, & Grenache 2%. (I missed this one I was running my mouth.)

Taking a wine flight is a great & inexpensive way to experiment & educate yourself on what selections you prefer. Even If you are not a wine lover I would still suggest that you experience taking a flight. The information that you acquire makes for great conversation at social gatherings. Not to mention there’s something about wine that looses people up. After our flight we all moved outside on the patio for some stimulating conversation. It was a nice change of pace from your loud bar /lounge setting. Thank you all for sharing your time with me we’ll have to do it again at The Houston Cellar Classic October 13th - 19th.

Mike Landry of Pioneer Wendell Prothow & Iris Allen/Sommelier

Alicia G. Hancock of One Brown Girl Designs

Conversations flowed as wine tasters discussed subjects that ranged from marriage, dating, politic's & of course our favorite subject wine. Alice G. Hancock shared a funny story about her worse pick up line was during a church service. Someone slide her an offering envelope with a messages that said "I'm offering you my number."

This Urban Renaissance Man (Sorry, I can't remeber his name I was tipsy I mean jet lagged at this point) shared his views on children today from the standpoint of an educator. He feels that a lot of our children are smart but lack character & discipline which can cause them to lose focus in the classroom. His Social Privy Tip> "You can be as smart as you want but if you don't have the character of discipline and respect your intelligence will be useless without application of character skills which are best taught at home." On a lighter note "renaissance man" is a movie buff who's analogy of Heth Ledger's portrayal of The Joker in Dark Knight vs Jack Nicholson's version was so on point. I had no interest in seeing the film however I think I might check it out to do a comparision of my own.


These fabulous ladies took some time to enjoy their wine with a view from The Tasting Room patio. The perfect place for a playboy bunny to hid from the paparazzi (inside joke the young lady in the 1st picture's friend declined being photographed joking that she was taking some time away from the paparazzi lol ;>) Mary Kay Independant Beauty Consultant Nichelle L. Jenkins & friends obviously were in the midst of a power networking session over some delicious treats.

Social Privy Tip> Swirling your wine glass coats the side of your glass to "open up" & accentuate the appealing volatile aroma in the wine plus you look real "oh-la-la" when you do it. (lol ; >) Also one should hold the stem of the glass & cup the bottom as to not leave finger prints on the glass. Ok this next tip was given to me by a collegue. If you don't want to leave your lipstick stain on the glass (I personally don't have a problem with lipstick on a glass) then very discretly lick the rim. (Yall, I don't know about this one she is quite a prankster and I'm a crash test dummy who falls for her most jokes.)

Cheers ;.

K. Anntionette