Out and About Town

Dear Friends,

Recently I saw “The Good Negro,” a provocative play now showing at the Public Theater. Tracey Scott Wilson wrote an insightful story about the challenges, complications, atrocities and accomplishments of the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement. Mostly, she told the story of how despite human frailties, much can be accomplished if committed and focused on the greater possibility, rather than on individual problems and differences. Splendidly performed by an excellent ensemble, I highly recommend this as a worthwhile night out. I also suggest you bring a young high school or college-age friend as audience members when I attended were predominately well past their 50s.

I also read a book I just love. Crystal of Brownstone Books, a wonderful bookstore in Bedford Stuyvesant, recommended Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. At first I hesitated reading this book about a hostage situation that takes place in a small South American country. However, this is a remarkable story of terrorists, hostages and people of different backgrounds and how surprisingly touching relationships can evolve, even love, in a horrendous and doomed situation. Bel Canto is a very readable story that is bittersweet and thoroughly engaging. If you're a reader like me that is often in search of a good book visit Brownstone Books and ask Crystal for a recommendation. She hasn't failed me yet. Visit their website at www.brownstonebooks.com.

Finally, to inspire your inner artist as well as to support local art, please check out the sites listed below and consider visiting some of the local events and exhibits:

The Brooklyn Museum: www.brooklynmuseum.org
MoCada (Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts): www.mocada.org
Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival: www.centralbrooklynjazzconsortium.org
AfroArts Urban Design: www.afroart-design.net
Brooklyn Public Library www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org
The Public Theater: www.publictheater.org

Brooklyn Botanic Garden: www.bbg.org

Have fun exploring.

Best wishes,

Sheila

Discover Your Inner Artist!

Dear Friends,

Look at my first creation! I can’t believe that I actually hand painted a beautiful silk scarf. For some time I’ve wanted to awaken my creative abilities. I’ve finally begun the journey. Not that I expect to become an artist, I just want to use my creativity and have some fun. Each of us has creative ability although we may have buried our talents with years of neglect and inactivity.

Recently, a friend very generously offered to teach me to paint on silk. Gloria, who paints under the name Lanza-Bajo, is a silk painter. Lanza-Bajo’s works are varied, some vibrant explosions of color full of energy and movement, and others are soft, delicate warm applications of color that beg to be touched. Her flowers are so beautiful and lifelike you almost believe you can pick them off the silk and smell them; her graphic designs are lively and appear to be in motion. If you want to learn more about Lanza-Bajo’s designs contact her at glbsilk@earthlink.com.

I look forward to growing in skill and creating more beautiful scarves, and I thank my teacher—friend. If I can paint a silk scarf, imagine what you can do.

Best wishes,
Sheila

Spring Forward!

Dear Friends:

Thank God for longer, warmer days. As winters go, this one wasn’t that bad but I found myself longing for spring. I’d tell myself, when it gets warmer I’ll start walking again; I’ll get the garden in shape; visit galleries and museums; etc. etc. All things that don’t have to wait for spring-- but I just had to ride this winter out.

Now, I’m ready. And what I’m most ready for is beauty. Don’t you love beautiful things? I want to bring more beauty in my life. For me, beauty is beautiful walks in the park, enjoying the joy of small children, reading a good book in my backyard after the flowers are bloomed, and sharing good times with friends and family. Life is so beautiful and most of the beautiful things in life are priceless and can be had during prosperous times and less prosperous times.

I just enjoyed a beautiful luncheon with 5 beautiful sisters and I believe I can speak for us all and say that the occasion was a real stimulus boost. As we’re all experience change, it was a joy-filled afternoon of provocative conversation, brainstorming, sharing our circumstances, and caring “for real” about each other. It was one afternoon that boosted our spirits exponentially. Simply beautiful!

We also had the most beautiful flowers that were provided by Creative Blossoms, a new florist in Bedford Stuyvesant. The spring arrangement was gorgeous and absolutely affordable.

Bringing beauty into your life with live plants and flowers goes a long way to boosting spirits. Try it and also try Creative Blossoms at 370 Lewis Avenue, Brooklyn, NY or creativeblossoms@gmail.com.

So tomorrow, I’ll start walking. Shall I look for you in the park?

Best wishes,
Sheila