OS 10: OUT ON THE TOWN

HEY OUTSTAGRS!

IT'S THURSDAY!!

TIME TO GET TOWN!!!

Before we get into the towning, the solo calendar of Inky Chris will be ready for sale mid October. But you can pre-order your copy now!  The pre-order cost $20 (with discount plus shipping ) The street cost will be  $20 plus shipping. If you want to get on board for one, just email to snaphoney2011@gmail.com and an invoice will be sent to you. Or you can Paypal to www.paypal.me/Maatology   (Be sure to note INKY CHRIS CALENDAR when doing the paypal me option ) LIMITED TIME ONLY. 

Now lets get town!

YOURS TRULY in selfie swag at this year's Salute.

Last Saturday, I crashed and landed at St Louis American's annual Salute to Excellence in Education Awards that awards college scholarships to noteworthy students in the St Louis area as well as honor educators who have made an impact on the community.

Now, I must say, every time that i "visit" this event, I always think to myself, that I got my education after education at the Saint Louis American Newspaper. Coming on board in early 2000 as a freelancer and becoming ng an employee from 2001 to 2003 as a Copy Editor and Lifestyle Reporter. And one of the requirements for us employees who worked at the American was that you had to attend the Salute awards with tux. LOL

Well, as you may or may not know, I have my own way of styling and at this years awards was no exception. I did not have on a black suit or tux but I managed to stand out in the crowd with a black shirt, a velvet maroon tux and makeshift tie(with gray slacks with small lines of velvet in them and maroon colored dress shoes) 

AND STILL KILT IT. LOL

To rewind a bit, the event  was the America's Center in downtown ST Louis (as it has been since its inception began I believe around 6pm with a reception, but I decided to cruise through around 8ish to get a feel of the lobby and who were lounging there while the ceremonies were going on. I got a couple glasses of wine (which were free) throughout the evening and began to schmooze with the STLerati.

YOURS TRULY with Director /CEO if At Home Care Carlita Desmona Vesser and STL promoter and former St Louis American writer  EL Cooper Gray. (Photo by El Gray)

I peeped inside the ceremonies for a minute and sat at one of the tables which wasn't occupied to witness educators and power couple Charles and Shirley Brown receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for their contribution to education in the ST Louis area. It was also a first in the awards history to grant this award to a power couple.

Then, I walked throughout the lobby area to see who I could see. I saw many familiar faces who I said Hello to and then ran into a former work college Melvin Moore who works at the American as a graphics designer who did an incredible weight loss program (in 30 days) after his health scare earlier in the year. I talked to him briefly about him being at the American for 20 years and his thinking of changing career paths and be a full time guitarist (He has travelled across the country and beyond playing with many bands). 

Then he said something to me regarding my thoughts on being a former American employee and coming to Salute. He said: "An American, is always an American."

Power couple Charles and Shirley Brown receiving a Proclamation from KMOV Radio's Carol Daniel. (Photo by Daniel Brown)

I also ran into Photo God of the American Wiley Price Jr (LOL) in the lobby and shared a brief greeting. He has been at the American for years and is well respected as a photojournalist and is now part of St Louis Media Hall Of Fame.

So after the ceremonies, it was party time and everyone had two options either to listen to some  sit down live jazz music or get their dance on in another room for the Old School Party with DJ Sir Thurl. 

I walked back and forth for the most part to see the action at both. This year they also had these people dressed  like noteworthy celebrities.  One couple dressed like a Billie Holliday and Louis Armstrong (with trumpet), one guy who threw me off a bit who didnt have a shirt on, but had a gold chain, Kangol and sagging jeans. I was like: "Hold up, whats going on?" 

Then, I thought and said, "Oh, youre suppose to be LL. Cool J."

He replied, "Yea."

In my mind I was like, "Work on the abs a bit." LOL

Some lady was grabbing people in the Old School Room to get people to take pictures with three young ladies who dressed as the group TLC. She walked up to me and summoned me for a pic with them. I looked over to the step and repeat that they had for people to take pics with the TLC impersonators and then said, "Nah, Im good. Now if the real TLC was here, then I would take a pic." 

She shook her head and walked away, LOL

Everyone was getting their dance on in the Old School Room, including the LL Cool J impersonator.

I was then greeted by Kevin Jones, the CFO at the American who was very happy to see me and shook my hand and asked, "How have you been, you been good?"

I replied, "Always." 

Then sashayed away. LOL

Meanwhile, during the old school party of jams from the 1980s , DJ Sir Thurl played a song that I knew for sure would get the Que Dawgs hopping on the dance floor when he played" Atomic Dog." Well, there was one Que who was maybe in his 40s who braved up to the dance floor and did his stepping as though he was back in college.

I am sure their were many other much older Ques in the building , but most Im sure didnt have the energy to maintain doing those vigorous steps and feeling the after muscle pain Sunday morning LOL.

So after that experience, I had done my last walk trhough to see who was where and what and stepped out of the building around 11pm to try and drive to the last installment of Close to Famous' the Tani Sushi Bar Summer event in Clayton.

During my crash, I also saw St Louis City Treadurere Tishaura Jones (who was looking stunning in a red cut out shoulder gown)  St Louis Representive Wiley "Chip" Price, and socialite/businessman Larry Blue.

Oh and as far as Tanu Sushi Bar event--I drove pass and it was more people eating sushi, than a party (Frontline security wasnt even at the door checking in people) so I decided to call it a night.

REWINDERZ

Speaking of Salute to Excellence in Education  Awards, I attended and covered on my blog one 10 years ago around this time where the keynote speaker was political advocate and journalist Roland Martin and one of the educators highlighted was East St Louis Poet Laureate/educator Eugene B. Redmond. 

Pictured are (FROM LEFT)  Platinum Group's Jacque Land (who produced the After Party), singer Seviin Li, Martin and Derrty ENT's Blu Bolden at the Salute to Excellence Awards at Americas Center September 2009.

To  check out the recap of this Salute go to http://maatology.blogspot.com/2009/09/out-687-out-on-town-stl-americans.html

For this week, I have one.

Before I start, I would like to make an observation. The restaurant Hooters is traditionally known for having waitresses dressed in scantily clad outfits specifically very tight shirts and hot pants. Well, the ones that I have visited in the St Louis area, I noticed that more guys have been hired but they dress regularly like a typical waiter--nothing that would cater attention to their bodies like the ladies.

But I digress.

So, speaking of Hooters. I was at one of them in the ST Louis area. I wont mention which one, but I was at one of them to pick up food. It was around 10pmish and when I walked up to the front counter, the host (who was male) was swallowing hard some food with that he was eating on the counter with some remnants of what he was eating was still on the counter. He saw me and quickly closed the carton of what he was eating while getting his last munch and swallow on.

Now mind you, I understand you gotta eat and as mad crazy most of these restaurants can be as far as escorting people to seats, and maybe even short handed as far as workers, but scoffing down food at the front was not a good look at all. 

The carton of food could have been tucked under the table in one of the compartments and maybe some napkins to wipe off the counter at least.

I'm just saying. 

SMH

If you have an event, service or an artist to promote or a random journey moment email to maat.atkins@gmail.com

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