Posts Tagged ‘Earl Nance Jr’

NBA's great Magic Johnson (center) with four Sweetie Pies servers and general manager (far right) Tim Norman, son of owner's Robbie Montgomery.

Former NBA champ and entrepreneur Magic Johnson brought a party of 20, including players, coaches and his pop to Sweetie Pie’s after the NCAA men’s tourney, to celebrate the win of his Michigan State victory. Dinner included a healthy fare of baked chicken. Johnson was given space during the meal, after which about 200 diners grabbed their cell-photo gear to shoot the happening. Guests were still rollicking over a gaffe by a CNN Cable sportscaster, who heralded, “We’ll see you in St. Louis at the N-Double-ACP Men’s Tournament.”

BET show host, comedienne and Oscar winner, Mo’Nique, while on Fox2 with Kevin Steincross, mentioned she was on the prowl for a soul food restaurant in our town, and the former plus-size entertainer added she’d snub diet food.  On the air, Steincross recommended Sweetie Pie’s on Manchester.  Its owner is former Ike Turner warbler,  Robbie Montgomery.  Mo’Nique arrived at the eatery with an entourage of 10, including two

Oscar Winner Mo-Nique, Robbie Montgomery of Sweetie Pies and Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr., of Heat-Up St. Louis.

bodyguards and road manager, Rob Wilkins.  She had just been to a photo shoot for the Girl Scouts along with 13 other women, who are being feted in April for their outstanding leadership. On hand to greet the star was notable fan the Rev. Earl Nance, Jr., a Heat Up St. Louis biggie, and Whirl pub Gentry Trotter.  Mo’Niique’s faves – fried chicken, mac and cheese and fried Jack Salmon – were served.  Members of the crew chowed down on fried catfish filets, mixed cabbage, homemade cornbread, candied yams and okra. Other notables on the scene were  the Black Rep’s Ron and Heather Himes, Cong. Lacy Clay’s assistant Dawn Fuller, LeRoy Wilson,Vanessa Hughes and Gateway Classic’s new CEO Rich Gray.  Mo’Nique requested a takeout and was last spotted at Black Dress vintage shop on Manchester. How, “Precious”!’

Rumors that Dr. Henry Givens may step down as chief of Harris-Stowe State University were in abundance at the Missouri MLK Statewide Celebration Kick-Off Program the other night on the campus. However, Givens was in full command as an audience of 2,000 gave enthusastic hosanahs for the Rev. Al Sharpton.  The civil rights leader, who filled his keynote with humor, biblical tales and blunt street-talk, was caught twittering in Givens’ office, while Cong. Lacy Clay, Jr. and Cong. Russ Carnahan chowed-down.  KSDK, Channel 5′s most-watched education reporter and the station’s young, news/weather anchor Anthony Slaughter kept the program moving in a timely and pleasant pace. InBev AB’s John Furr and honorary chair of the event introduced Rev. Sharpton as “a transformational leader, a man who has challenged the American social and political establishment.”President Obama calls Rev. Sharpton ‘the voice of the voiceless and a champion for the downtrodden,”  said Furr. Rev. Sharpton mused, “You know, it’s amazing how many people marched with Dr. King.  They will tell you they marched with him and they are probably lying.”  Sharpton began his ministry at the age of  four.  Others getting their time in the spotlight were Robin Wright-Jones, Tishaura Jones, Mayor Slay, Charlie Dooley and Percy Green, who was heckled by an attendee, who was ejected from the room.  MIA was Gov. Jay Nixon, who only did a brief drive-by at a private pouring and then blew the Hood. On Sunday, just getting warmed-up from his Saturday night bombastic and poignant keynote, Rev. Sharpton accepted an invite to deliver a sermon to an SRO crowd at the Friendly Temple Baptist Church on Martin Luther King Drive. Faces in the crowd: the Rev. Earl Nance, Jr., James and Susan Buford, Merdean Gales, Ruth Smith, Gwen Packnett, Betty Thompson, Anita Banks, Frankie Muse Freeman, Stacy and Judge Jimmie Edwards, Judge Charles Shaw and wife, Kay, Argus publisher Yaphett El-Amin, Joe Keaveny and Lou Brock. (See photos taken by the Metro Evening Whirl).