Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

A group of bicycle activists staged an action in Hollywood Saturday night to protest for their rights.  In the meantime though a Twitterer found several bicyclists stocking up on libations at a nearby CVS drug store.

Zach at LAist reports that two same-sex marriage measures are in the works for the California 2010 ballot. One would resincd Proposition 8; the other would replace all marriage, gay and straight, with domestic partnership.

My friend and occasional Mayor Sam blogger Edward Headington doesn't get why Measure B failed. Ed says "I am still a little surpised that Measure B did not pass given the green mood of the populace."  We are all for green solutions but what Ed may have missed is that the angry mood of the populace was stronger on B than the green mood.

L:A Dodgers' owner Frank McCourt says he's not planning to provide funding for shuttle buses to Dodger Stadium.  CurbedLA reports McCourt commenting "But it's a few buses. We need robust, muscular public transit for Dodger Stadium to be a vibrant place. But that applies to the whole city, doesn't it?"

It appears most of our readers who spoke up wouldn't shed a tear if newspapers went the way of the dinosaurs. James Rainey writing in the LA Times contends that were local papers to die it would give a blank check to local politicians to be shady with the fishwraps no longer watching them. That would however presume rags like The Times were actually covering municipal politics to begin with.

Speaking of dying fishwraps here's an ironic tale. Though newspaper subscriptions are way down someone is posing as a door to door Daily News salesman as a ruse to rob the place.

Sarah Palin and Ugly Straight Weddings

It's been a while since we've mentioned Sarah Palin.  A few interesting items relating the former Republican  Vice Presidential candidate.  The blog that began pushing a Sarah Palin VP nomination more than a year before John McCain selected her has been selected to be archived as part of the Smithsonian Institution's collection on the 2008 election.

In the meantime, the gay couple that hung an effigy of Palin in West Hollywood prior to the election is now calling on gay designers to boycott working for heterosexual weddings.  An LA Weekly writer says that if Chad Michael Morisette and Mito Aviles are succesful with their drive, there'll be "a whole lot of ugly" at straight weddings. This is of course is part of the protest against Proposition 8 which outlawed same-sex marriages in California.

You all know that I was a strong opponent of Proposition 8.  I hope it's overturned in the near future.  That being said I find these types of protests and attitudes silly; more so I find the reverse bigotry by some of the Prop 8 opponents to be disturbing.  We don't fight intolerance with more intolerance.  Anger breeds anger.  There are other ways to win hearts and change minds.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

Fox11 reports that nearly 2,000 firefighters continue to battle the Sayre Fire in Sylmar.  The fire, which covers some 10,000 acres, is said to be about 40% contained after two days.  A number of backfires have been lit by firefighters to halt the spread of the blaze and most evacuated areas have been reopened to residents.  The massive blaze has raised questions about the wisdom of the Las Lomas housing development in Newhall Pass.

Mayor Villaraigosa has kicked off his re-election campaign, according to Rick Orlov, with a "strong defense of his accomplishments."  Villaraigosa as quoted by Orlov says  "Whether you like me or don't and think I'm in front of a camera or whatever it is, you have to look at what we've done these last three years," he said. Is that the total of the three years or just the 11% he spent on city business?

Lost in the news of the massive wildfires across California were that about 12,000 protesters assembled in front of Los Angeles City Hall to continue their outrage over the passage of Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage in California.  The mostly peaceful protest saw, according to the LA Times, picketers carrying signs such as "No More Mr. Nice Gay" and "No on Hate."

Some goofball blogger over at the Chicken Corner section of (Anglo)LAObserved seems to think that Countrywide evicting tenants from a property it owns or T-Mobile renting space on apartment buildings were "evil plans." I don't think you know what evil really is.

And finally if you want to attend a special MTV screening starring Britney Spears, you better be looking fine.  An entertainment blog reports that the online sign-up for tickets requires users to answer questions about their height, weight, eye color, hair color and then tells them they are required to dress trendy.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Wednesday

The San Francisco Sentinel has a pretty lame puff piece on Mayor Villaraigosa. The Sentinel says the Mayor is sitting pretty with no opposition, plenty of cash and a City Hall in sync with his agenda.  In a second term, the Sentinel says, the Mayor can accomplish more of his goals.  Perhaps he will work for the people 22% of the time.  A piece in the Contra Costa Times, Villaraigosa campaign manager Ace Smith lays out the Mayor's re-election strategy.

Forty three Democratic members of the State Legislature filed a brief Monday urging that the State Supreme Court invalidate Proposition 8 which banned same-sex marriage in California.  No Republican members of the Senate or Assembly joined on board but Governor Schwarzenegger expressed support for the effort.  Though State Attorney General Jerry Brown would be obligated to defend Proposition 8 in court, supporters of the measure say they would seek to have their attorneys intervene to oppose and represent their interests in the case.

A number of LA's top chefs joined to compete in the 22nd annual "Great Chefs of LA: Go Green, Go Organic" at CBS Studios Sunday to benefit the National Kidney Foundation of Southern California.  Among the celebrities on hand were comedian George Lopez and Los Angeles City Council Member Dennis Zine.

Eric Garcetti has led the City Council in designating the site of a historic gay bar in Silverlake as a cultural landmark.  The Black Cat was the site of a horrific incident early on New Years Day 1967 when gay celebrants were savagely beaten by LAPD officers for the crime of kissing.  The bar today is now known as Le Barcito however it is still said to serve a gay clientele.

What happens when your dad gets elected President of the United States? You get asked to appear on the hottest kids TV series on today, The Disney Channel's Hannah Montana.  Billy Ray Cyrus, series co-star and father of star Miley Cyrus said the show has asked Sasha and Malia Obama to visit and appear in an episode. No word on if the Obama family has accepted the offer.

Prop 8 Protests

Report from CBS News.

Rally Against H8 in Long Beach

As I get in reports on protests against Prop 8 I will pass them on but here is one for this evening. Over the weekend I'll work up a gadget at straightsagainsthate that can post up protests as they are posted on the net. There are more events planned over the weekend.

Long Beach, California: Friday, November 7, 2008, 6:45pm - 9:00pm, Broadway and Redondo. "We will march from Redondo to Alamitos (Hamburger Mary's), to tell Californians, the nation and the world that we are not second class citizens and we will not accept being treated that way."

Alarcon's CD 7: District of Haters?

 

Richard Alarcon's constituents voted overwhelmingly that little old lady lesbians like these can't get married.

 
The County of LA provides results on various election races by Council District within various cities.  I've pulled and recorded the votes for and against Proposition 8, the measure that bans same-sex marriage in California that has apparently passed with 52% of the vote statewide.

It appears that in most Council Districts the measure failed, hence supporting marriage equity, with the largest number of no votes in CD5.  On the other hand the measure passed in CDS 1, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 15 with Richard Alarcon's District 7 contributing a whopping 60% of yes votes to end the rights of gay families, a margin greater than that the statewide vote.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Friday

The Mormon Church continues to be a lightning rod for those protesting Tuesday's passage of Proposition 8 which ends the rights of same-sex couples to marry.  Following a protest of 3000 estimated outside Mormon church headquarters here in Los Angeles, on Friday protestors are planning to demonstrate outside the church's mother ship in Salt Lake City.  The Mormons were one of the major contributors to the Yes on 8 cause, however over a million dollars was also contributed by the Catholic all-male fraternal organization, The Knights of Columbus as well as funding by a number of other Protestant and Jewish organizations.

Council President Eric Garcetti tells FoxNews that he will be assisting the Obama Administration to identify Angelenos for key posts in Washington, D.C. Is there a cabinet post for the button down Garcetti who jumped aboard the Obama ship early? He isn't saying but we're hearing yes.

Zuma Dogg continues in his campaign for Mayor and like any good politican he's seeking contributions.  The Doggman reports he's all signed up with the City Ethics Commission and you can donate to the cause via PayPal or the old school way; check it all out at Zuma's site.

The local former fishwraps of record don't move many papers these days but the election of Barack Obama was a temporary boon to La Antonia Times.  The OLD GRAY HAG ON SPRING STREET (boy how many nasty nicknames for The LA Times can you shoehorn into one hotsheet blurb?) printed nearly a 100,000 extra sheets trumpeting the Illinois Senator's historic victory.


And finally if you ever wondered what ever happened to former Van Nuys gadfly and illegal immigration opponent Hal Netkin, he's resurfaced in John McCain's home state where he's running his virtual operation at a safe distance from Los Angeles.  Netkin has blasted out an email missive to recently announced Council District 7 candidate Guillermo Huesca seeking the Council hopeful's views on a number of issues.

An Interesting Take on Proposition 8

I'm pretty sure that there is not one political issue that the guy in this video and I would agree on.  That doesn't matter.  In this video, which is 10 minutes long but trust me it's well worth it, a gay man from New York discusses the passage of Proposition 8 in the larger context of the gay civil rights movement.  I believe he is right; this time the gays are not going to step back into the closest, a major wave of activism and protest is headed our way.

He makes extremely good points and is quite articulate and interesting.  If you were in favor of Prop 8 beware, he might just change your mind.

I urge you to join me in Straights Against Hate.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Thursday

82% of voters turned out to vote in Tuesday's election in Los Angeles County, the most since 86% turned out in 1968.  Though many showed up for the historic and popular campaign of Barack Obama let's encourage them to keep it up and see if we can get even half of that for municipal elections next March.

In light of the passage by voters of Proposition 8, which eliminated the right of same-sex couples to marry in California, the Los Angeles County Clerk has already ordered no further same-sex marriages be performed in LA County.

Landslide victory for Mr. Avis Ridley-Thomas in the race for LA County Supervisor.  State Senator Mark "Don't Call Me Curley" Ridley Thomas bested City Councilmember Bernard Parks by nearly 2-1 in Tuesday's election.  The County's loss is the City's gain; Parks is a reasoned voice on the Council and I think we need him in the City still.

When major print publications like The Christian Science Monitor and US News and World Report are abandoning their hard copy editions and going to online only, it's a step backward for the Daily News to end it's ValleyNews.com program which allowed community reporters to post stories of church meetings, school succeses, community projects and other community oriented news at a super local level.  The Daily News has ended it's relationship with YourHub, the provider that powered the project.

Add one more candidate to the list of seekers for the post of Mayor of Los Angeles.  Zuma Dogg has filed paperwork to run for Mayor and is encouraging you to sign his petition.  He begins his drive this Saturday in Highland Park at Casa Princesa.

Same-Sex Marriage May Be In Trouble

As of right now, Proposition 8 which will ban same-sex marriage is getting a majority of votes. The measure appears to be winning 52% to 47% with about a third of the precincts statewide reporting.

Though California has voted in large numbers for Barack Obama and what would be considered more left leaning positions on other issues, that, as was feared, has not translated into no votes on the measure.

What appears to be driving the measure's success, besides the anticipated votes from conservatives, is a large percentage of yes votes from Latinos and African Americans.

Though 95% of African Americans and 75% of Latinos in California voted for Barack Obama, 70% of African Americans voted yes on 8 and 51% of Latinos did. White voters in California voted against Prop 8 and for Barack Obama in the same percentages as those who voted for John McCain and in favor of Prop 8, 53% for Obama and No on 8 and 47% for McCain and Yes on 8. 85% of Republicans in California voted for McCain but only 80% voted Yes on 8.

By the numbers, 27% of those Democrats who voted for Barack Obama also voted Yes on 8 and against marriage equity.

As the returns come in the margin may change but if the exit polls are correct tomorrow could be a very sad day for many families.

You Can't Fight Hate With Hate

In the discussion of the anti-same-sex marriage ballot measure, Proposition 8, much has been said against those who support the measure and hence wish to outlaw same-sex marriage rights.  And sadly much of that has been bigotry towards Christians, chiefly Mormons and Catholics.

It is true that a number of evangelical Christian, Mormon and Catholic organizations have supported the Yes on 8 measure.  It is also true that a number of religious organizations however have endorsed marriage equity and the No on 8 campaign (including Catholic and Mormon groups).

Which brings me to an important point.  One of the chief Christian churches that not only opposes Prop 8 but has a long (back to the 70s) and strong record of support for the rights of gays and lesbians and same-sex marriage.  That would be the United Church of Christ, the very denomination that both Barack Obama and I belong to.

Which to me makes it more disingenious that Obama does not support same-sex marriage and claims it for religious reasons.  While I take issue with Senator John McCain, Senator Joe Biden and Governor Sarah Palin's stance on the issue, all three are members of denominations (McCain - Southern Baptist, Biden - Roman Catholic, Palin - Non-denominational Evangelical) that have a historic opposition to same-sex marriage.

Obama needs to come clean and say that he either opposes gay marriage for political reasons or personal reasons because our church doesn't hold the belief he says it does. Of course I was baptized into the church a good 24 years before Obama was so maybe he missed that Sunday School class.

Prop 8: What Would Reagan Do?

Most likely Ronald Reagan would recognize the unfairness in Proposition 8 and would oppose it.

In 1978, Governor Reagan opposed the Briggs Initiative, which would have eliminated the right of gay and lesbian Californians to teach in public schools. He called the measure "costly," and said that it had the potential to cause "undue harm." Voters listened, and Proposition 6 was defeated.

In April 2008, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger told the National Convention of Log Cabin Republicans that he was against a constitutional amendment to eliminate the right to marry for same-sex couples. Video of Governor Schwarzenegger declaring, "I will always be there to fight against that," is featured in the sixty-second video.

"Ronald Reagan is a conservative icon because of his efforts to spread freedom around the globe," said Republicans Against 8 Campaign Manager Scott Schmidt. "Conservatives need to remember that Ronald Reagan was opposed to taking away people's rights. Were he still with us today, Ronald Reagan would be in good company with another Republican Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger."

By the way it's not too late to contribute to oppose Prop 8.  Click the Republicans Against 8 button above.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Wednesday

The DWP has been caught ripping off a number of other government agencies, overcharging the likes of the LAUSD, the County of LA and others.  The utility has agreed to pay out a $160million settlement to the county, local schools, community colleges and the MTA to settle a court case brought by the agencies.   Eric R. Havian, whose law firm sued the DWP in 2000, called the money "much-needed."

The battle over same-sex marriage in California, Proposition 8 on next week's ballot, has generated nearly $60 million in contributions for both side. The Mormon Church as well the Catholic all-male fraternity, The Knights of Columbus are among the major contributors to the Yes on 8 campaign which would outlaw gay marriage.  In a related story, controversial former Silver Lake Neighborhood  Council member Jason Lyon, who is openly gay and married his partner recently, writes in CityWatch that the battle over 8 is "whether real people, real Californians like me and my family, will be stripped of a fundamental right."

Major controversy over the refusal of the LA Times to release a video tape showing Barack Obama describe his friendship with Rashid Khalidi, a controversial Palestinian-American activist who makes frequent criticism of Israel. In the video at a Chicago luncheon honoring Khalidi, Obama allegedly described frequent discussions the pair have had around Khalidi's "dinner table."  The McCain campaign has asked the LA Obama Times to release the video but so far the paper declines.

In case you were wondering if television producers have run out of ideas for TV shows, they have.  MTV reports that HBO is working to sign Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton to star in a new sitcom about three housemates trying to make it big in Hollywood.  No word if LAPD Chief Bill Bratton or Council Member Dennis Zine will make cameos.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Tuesday

We're not even through with this election, with voters not having weighed in on shady propositions like Measure A and Measure R and Mayor Villaraigosa is already planing more tax and spend ballot measures less than six months from now on the March ballot.  The latest bit of shadiness involves a plan to get you to pay for solar panels for buildings throughout LA.  Solar energy is great but let the market make it happen - with the current energy situation people are taking a hard look at solar and other alternative forms of energy.

An unexpected source of support of  Proposition 8, the state ballot measure that would outlaw same-sex marriage in California, comes from Venice based public commenteer, musician and agent provocateur Matt Dowd.  Dowd tells The Sister City "Will there be a flood of men coming over the border to get green cards by marrying a man already here? how is the validity of these 'gay' marriages determined, and will the federal government even recognize these CA. marriages when it comes time to file for your 'spouse'. I think its dangerous ground to allow same sex, if only for that immigration concern. anyone worried now about immigrants taking resources from the citizens, well, get ready for the next wave. I say YES on Prop 8." There you have it.

The Daily News editorializes the City of LA should allow Providence Holy Cross Medical Center to continue it's plans for expansions to help meet the shortage of hospital beds in the San Fernando Valley.  The editorial takes the LA City Council to task for holding the hospital hostage to a dispute with the unions, who are blocking expansion until the hospital makes a deal with them.  However, the News kind of forgets a relatively organized group of folks in the community who also don't want the hospital to expand.

The father of LA City Councilman Bernard Parks, Earl Parks, has passed away at the age of 87.  The elder Parks like his son was also a law enforcement officer in Los Angeles, serving for the Port Police.  The Sister City expresses our sincerest condolences to Councilman Parks and his son and chief-of-staff Bernard Parks, Jr. who has been a friend of this blog.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

Delicious political circus at a meeting of the MTA Board last week.  Following a discussion of the shady transit tax Measure R and rail safety issues board member and County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky declared that fellow board member and Supervisor Gloria Molina's comments were "selfish nonsense."  Molina wanted the board to consider crossing gates for the Gold Line extension through her district as well as barring the MTA from sending out campaign material on Measure R.  Following that, Zev walked out of the meeting as he had threatened earlier.

Mayor V will fill his one millionth pothole Monday in Toluca Lake. You may remember back in March the Mayor filled the 800,000th pothole.  The Mayor may be criticized for his lack of time spent actually running the city but it sure looks like Antonio Villaraigosa has made a priority of filling holes in LA.

Starting next month the LA Live project will begin to rollout the various phases that have completed construction. Set to open first is nightclub Club Nokia, and restaurants, the Lucky Strike bowling alley, the Conga Room and Trader Vic's.  Million dollar condos will be available in 2010.  Among the future residents: Mayor Villaraigosa and Governor Schwarzenegger.

Yet another Republican has come out against Proposition 8 which would outlaw same-sex marriage in California.  Former Reagan Administration member and five term Congressman Tom Campbell.  Campbell says "Republicans also care about jobs; and as a business proposition, it makes no sense to support Prop. 8. Discrimination at any level is bad for business."

I just ran across a great post by feminist and stay-at-home mom blogger Jessica Gottlieb at the LA Moms Blog. Gottlieb deconstructs the cult of Obama that many of us have been subjected to for the last few months.  Think about it, how many of your friends have replaced their photo on Facebook or MySpace with that of Obama. Gottlieb nails the whole objection to the Obama singing, posters and more with "We're Americans, we don't have Kings and Queens, we don't have presidents we Revere. We have presidents that we hold accountable through checks and balances. We have Presidents and Vice Presidents that we employ and reserve the right to fire."

One of the big issues in LA is how to get folks to the Music Center downtown and where to park.  The DWP has raised hackles by declaring their parking lot off limits to patrons.  They tried shuttle buses from the Westside but usage was lacking.  Even adding free bottle water and on-board arts talks didn't raise interest. Perhaps this is one reason why it's not wise to center all these facilities downtown and we should adopt a regional approach.

Freedom is a Republican Value - Vote No On Prop 8

Obama-Biden vs the Gays

You got to love Joe Biden, no you really got to love Joe. The guy is either stupid, has balls or both.

Guess who's more progressive than Joe Biden? Mayor Sam!

Today Joe went on the Ellen show and announced he is against same-sex marriage. Just as Ellen is about to donate mega-bucks to the same-sex marriage ban.

I've come out in favor of same-sex marriage and am opposed to California's Proposition 8 which would take away the rights that same-sex couples in California enjoy.

However Biden says he is opposed to Prop 8 - yet still is opposed to legalizing gay marriage. Obama too. That's a major disconnect.

Though Obama is expected to win an overwhelming portion of the Gay vote, there is a growing chorus of Gay and Lesbian voters who feel that years of support for the Democratic Party - who maintain the same policy on same-sex marriage as the Republicans (well not all Republicans) - that blindly continuing to vote for the Democrats and being taken for granted is getting them nowhere. Earlier in the primary, many Gays raised concern about a minister tied to Obama who is a leader in the ex-gay movement.

A liberal Gay blogger may have summed it up best:

Don’t you think that the GLBT community should have prioritized early on and sent most of their tens of millions of campaign dollars to the “Stop Prop 8” drive instead of wasting their money on an ungrateful Senator “Marriage is between a Man and Woman” Obama? Barack had plenty of funds. So why did we give our money to someone who supports discrimination? That is like letting your own children go hungry while giving your family’s food away to the fat neighbors who could care less if you starved to death.

By the way, where is that simple ten second “Vote NO on Prop 8!” commercial from Obama? Don’t we get anything back for all our money and for our votes?

Once more, the scared rabbits in the GLBT community are again playing the role of useful fools. The marriage equality battle is a more immediate issue of concern to our community that the political ambitions of a passive/aggressive homophobe. Obama, as well as most of the Democrats, have already said they do not support our equality. I really wonder how many Black people would come out and vote for any candidate who insulted their dignity is such a manner?

A concern that opponents of Proposition 8 privately discuss is the potential increased turn-out of African Americans and Hispanics to vote for Obama and, given their cultural conservatism, will wind up casting a vote in favor of 8 along with their support of Obama. Obama could have allayed the concerns of Gays and Lesbians in California who have come out strong for him by actively campaigning against Proposition 8.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Sunday

As reported by Antonio Watch yesterday, at our fourth anniversary party longtime community activist David Hernandez announced his campaign for Mayor of Los Angeles.  Hernandez joins candidate Walter Moore in the race bringing the current total of candidates seeking to replace Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to two.  Will we be making it three soon?

Good news for Mark Ridley-Thomas in his battle against Council Member Bernard Parks for a seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Ridley-Thomas received the endorsement of the LA Downtown News and this weekend the Police Protective League - no fan of Parks during his time as LAPD Chief - made a $50,000 radio buy on behalf of Ridley-Thomas.

Monday Los Angeles City Controller Laura Chick will release her audit of the LAPD’s Forensic DNA Rape-kit Backlog.  It was widely reported in the media in August that the back-log of rape kits in the LAPD crime lab was continuing to grow.

Comedian Ellen DeGeneres has bought $100,000 of television airtime to urge Californians to vote no on Proposition 8, which seeks to overturn the court's decision earlier this year to allow same-sex couples to legally marry. In the ads DeGeneres, who has had both succesful eponymous prime time sitcoms and a daytime talk show, tells viewers "Hi, I'm Ellen DeGeneres. I got to do something this year I never thought I'd ever be able to do: I got married."

Ron Kaye has a piece on opposition to the erection of cell phone towers on a new building in Echo Park.  But here's the issue - everyone wants a cell phone and reception in some areas is horrific.  If we don't build more towers what is the solution? I know the neighborhood types will scream, but I fundamentally believe government should not be allowed to intervene in commerce like this.   It's a reactive approach that is more about fighting something than it is in finding real solutions.

A newly released DVD of the Los Angeles Philharmonic offers a look back at the orchestra thirty years ago under then conductor Zubin Mehta.  In the the video from 1977, Mehta conducts the Phil in Bartók Concerto for Orchestra at the Dorothy Chandler.  Flash forward thirty years later as Director Designate Gustavo Dudamel "auditioned" for the role also leading Bartok, this time at the LA Phil's new home, the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Friday

Potential Mayoral candidate Rick Caruso will receive the "Spirit of Lincoln" award from the Los Angeles Lincoln Clubs. As noted here Thursday, Caruso is being cagey about whether he plans to run for Mayor or not.

Everyone is hot for solar energy and it makes sense. That being said now the politicians are looking to use the issue to generate yet another bond on the March election.

If John McCain doesn't win next month will it be a Jindal-Palin or Palin-Jindal ticket in 2012? I don't know but no matter what Bobby Jindal is the Republican Obama of the future. If the Republicans do a train-wreck this November the upside will be the opportunity to once and for al clean house and get rid of the old White guys from the party.

The No on Proposition 8 is lagging behind in fundraising and needs to raise $1 million a day between now and election day to be succesful. Pony up folks, some people in love with each other are counting on you.

Speaking of same-sex marriage, many of the arguments against it are similar to those that were leveled against interracial marriage a half century ago. Today more Black women are marrying White men and most folks don't care. I have this in my own family; my brother is married to a wonderful woman who happens to be Black and has two great kids.