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Lady A & the Baby Blues By Starla L. Fitch Blues in the Northwest is hot and this band is hotter.
Urban Vancouver By Starla L. Fitch Seeing the urban side of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Café Crepe A unique urban eatery in downtown Vancouver.
Don’t forget the Sunscreen By Cherita Raines Protecting your skin from UV rays.
Urban Events Events for the “urbanite” in all of us.
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Keepin’ it Urban! Still feelin’ the “urban” vibe so I decided to venture a little further north into Canada. As with previous experiences in Vancouver, B.C. I knew this city was a vibrant and ultra-modern locale. The sounds, the sights, the movement, the people, the art and the architecture all scream - URBAN! In this issue, I’ll take you on a visual trip to the city known as “Hollywood of the North”. Vancouver has not only hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics but it has also played host to several Canadian and American movie productions. This city is a bit pricey especially with the exchange rate not being what it use to be but the experience is priceless.
Urban Life Northwest July 2010
I hope you enjoy this issue.
Volume III, Issue VII
Lastly, I’ll leave you with this quote, “The race is not given to the swift nor to the strong but to the one that endureth until the end.”
Publisher/Editor - Starla L. Fitch Photography - Miklos L. Fitch Copy Editor- Sylvia M. Fitch
- The Bible
Contributor(s) - Starla Cherita J. Raines, MD, MPH
Urban Life Northwest is published monthly. Direct all editorial and subscription inquiries to P.O. Box 94057, Seattle, WA 98124-9457, call (425) 533-7802 or visit our website -
www.UrbanLifeNW.com. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without consent. All advertising claims and offers are the sole responsibility of the listed advertiser. Query in advance of article submission; unsolicited materials may not be returned.
Granville Island, an urban farmer’s marketplace. Photo by Miklos Fitch
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The photos shown on page were taken by Miklos Fitch.
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The green tinted buildings of Vancouver, B.C. 5
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Lady A and the Baby Blues are blazing a trail through the northwest with their musical talent. In my interview with Lady A, I learned more about the awesome group and I am delighted to share that information with you.
UNLW: We met for the first time last year when you invited me to one of your performances. I enjoyed myself immensely. So tell me, how did you and your band get together? LABB: Starla, I was singing one night during someone else’s show at Thompson’s Point of View – I would stop by occasionally and sing with musical friends. The next thing I knew Louise Thompson asked me if I had a band and could perform at her restaurant. At that time I was singing with the Sonny Byers Motown Revue with three of the gentlemen that are the Baby Blues Funk Band (Gary Smith, Bass, John Oliver III, drums and Richard Mills, Guitar). I asked them if they would back me up, we performed in August of 1998 – I was scared out of my wits, but Mrs. Thompson called within a day or two and wanted to book us for more events and the rest as they say is history. ULNW: What’s the story behind the name of your group? LABB: I have two best friends in Florida who while I was living there had a karaoke business (Imogene & Terry, TEAM Karaoke), they would always introduce me as Miss “A” when I would sing– so when we were looking for a name for the band, I called Imogene down in Florida one day and said I need a name – I told her I didn’t want to use Miss A and she said how about Lady “A”… so that stuck, then I was listening to a song one night “Meet me with your black draws on”.. and I for the life of me could not find the artist… while searching I found a name The Blues Band… and something nudged me in my mind I guess, the Baby Blues Funk Band.
ULNW: I love the new CD – Bluez in the key of me. I enjoyed the richness of the lyrics, the fullness of the instrumentation and of course the vocals. You wrote or co-wrote most of the songs, how long did it take to write the songs for this CD? LABB: Thank you so much for the compliment… it was a collaborative effort with my producer John Oliver III. This project was my band’s idea. They wanted to produce a project for me as I was going through rough period in my personal life at the time and I’m sure my being the only woman in the group, they wanted to get my mind on something else. So after a few attempts at beginning the project… John and I decided… let’s do it. In the meantime, my Bass player Gary Smith was always encouraging me to write down how I felt because ( as some of my friends know) I can be a comedian with words… so I began writing down all the funny and not so funny things I felt about my life, my disappointments, me. The first song I wrote was “Do Yo Thang” and it took me exactly 5 minutes. I was really feeling that one… I contacted Gary and read it to him over the phone and he was like… keep writing. So I did… I wrote “Never My Man” in about 3 days – taking portion of Marvin Gaye’s “Trouble Man” as a starting point and writing my own lyrics. John Oliver, my producer was a big influence also, as he stayed on me constantly about not giving up and continuing to “Pull the Pom-pom’s Out” as we say… to keep me focused and writing. Since I’m new to song-writing, I’m basically writing when I feel something tug at me that I’m feeling at the time. I’m no lyrical wiz as some writers are naturally born to it, but I write how I feel right then and that’s all people can really ask of you when it’s personal. I’m very pleased with this project and owe the folks who keep coming back to hear us and see us perform a great deal of gratitude and owe God my all.
(continued on page 14)
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Houseboats with a view of downtown Vancouver, B.C.
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Vancouver, British Columbia is a beautiful urban city. Skyscrapers, art, shops, chic eateries, urban parks and office buildings abound. There is something for everyone in this city filled with tinted window buildings. We started with a visit to Granville Island on the waterfront. It is a great place to find unique art, see entertaining street performers, get a bite to eat or visit the farmers market. As we toured downtown, we made our way to Robson Street, Gastown and the waterfront. From the waterfront we could see Stanley Park and we knew that would be our next stop. This park is spectacular with its’ stunning city and water views, statues, historic markers, hiking and biking trails, beach front, picnic areas and you can’t forget the totem poles.
Vancouver Art Gallery
An urban park and waterfront.
Vancouver is an exciting, beautiful and interesting city. It can be a bit pricy but you will enjoy yourself.
Urban Vancouver photos in this issue taken by Miklos Fitch. Photos may not be copied or reproduced without express permission form the photographer.
Vancouver skyline from a distance.
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Girl in the wet suit.
RMS Empress of Japan.
The Harry Jerome statue stands along the waterfront.
The Totem Poles at Stanley Park 11
Savory. Sweet. Delectable. Want a different dining experience while visiting Vancouver? Café Crepe on Robson Street could be what you’re looking for. Eating crepes in the heart of downtown Vancouver reminds you that you are in a modern and sophisticated urban city. Café Crepe has tantalizing savory crepes filled with an array of meats, cheeses and vegetable options. And what crepe restaurant would be complete without serving up some of the best dessert crepes in the world? Café Crepe does not disappoint. I was delighted with their menu. Although service was a little slow, overall I really enjoyed the dining experience. If you’re in Vancouver, B.C. don’t miss the chance to visit Café Crepe. A dining experience you won’t forget or regret.
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Since the summertime is here, I wanted to make sure to briefly discuss a topic that is rarely discussed, skin protection during sun exposure. We’ve all thought that our darker skin protects us from the sun. Well to a certain extent that is true. Skin cancer is less common in persons with skin of color than in light skinned Caucasians. The low incidence of cutaneous (skin) malignancies in darker-skinned groups is primarily a result of photoprotection (sun light protection) provided by increased epidermal melanin (skin pigmentation). Darker-skinned groups have increased melanocyte activity and larger, more dispersed melanosomes, in contrast to less melanocyte activity and smaller, more grouped melanosomes in Caucasians. Black epidermis allows through 7.4% of UVB and 17.5% of ultraviolet A rays (UVA), compared with 24% and 55% in Caucasian epidermis, respectively. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the predominant predisposing factor for skin cancer in Caucasians. UVR is also a significant risk factor for skin cancer in Asians. The association of skin cancer with UVR exposure in blacks is unclear except for Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC). UVR plays a significant role in the development of BCC in black patients, since these tumors most commonly develop on sun-exposed sites. The head-and-neck region is overall the most common location of BCC in Caucasians, Asians, Blacks, and Hispanics. BCC doesn’t usually metastasize; rather it infiltrates the surrounding area destroying tissue. BCC is primarily related to prolonged, intensive UV light exposure in Caucasians, Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians. Consequently BCC occurs most often in persons after the 5th decade on sun exposed areas of the head and neck, regardless of the degree of pigmentation of the skin. As with Caucasians, 70% to 90% of BCCs occur on sun-exposed skin in Blacks and Asians, thus the emphasis on sun protection should not be ignored by darkly pigmented persons. This article was not meant to be a lesson on skin cancers, but to emphasize that people of color do need to visit the sunscreen aisle, before enjoying the nice summer weather. As with any other health concern, please contact your physician for any unusual or changing skin lesions. NOTE: UVB responsible for sunburn, skin cancer and aging of skin. UVA responsible for tanning and aging of skin.
**This article originally published in the July 2009 issue of ULNW.
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(continued from page 7)
ULNW: When you perform, you really give it your all. What motivates you? LABB: As my guys always tell me… I don’t know how to do anything at 80% - they even try to slow me down on stage sometimes... You know Starla, I love live entertainment and I’ve seen some fantastic live performances in my lifetime… Stevie Wonder (sitting down playing is energetic and phenomenal on stage), Patti LaBelle makes you feel the show and can bring tears to your eyes… Earth, Wind & Fire – always energetic on stage, Charmaine Neville – love to watch her in awe, Bobby Rush - Fantastic, Patti Allen, a Seattle staple who when I’m her age I want to look and move like her… , I could go on…. I think our audience deserves the best we can give them. We choose to be on stage to perform… so why not give it all you’ve got… I’m always a nervous wreck before I go out there before a crowd or before 10 people, but once I open my mouth to sing, I feel as though people deserve to be entertained and we want them to feel as if they are part of our show. Even if they aren’t a dancing crowd (which we don’t get many of, but it happens)…. I want the musical fan to go away with the memory that they had a good time and can think about it years from now that when they saw Lady A & the Baby Blues Funk Band they had a good time. Hopefully that is what happens… I don’t actually know… but I’m having fun giving it to em’ anyway.
ULNW: Tell me more about your band. Who plays what and how long have they been in the group? LABB: I have one of the FUNKIEST (that is a word) band’s in Seattle. Gary Smith, on Bass has been with the band from inception and one of my best and getting to be oldest friends. I rely on Gary to keep the balance on stage and between myself and club owners (LOL – that’s an inside joke). His father is EMP Hall of fame Seattle musician “Tiny” Tony. Gary is a superb bass player and I would put him up against anyone in the industry. You don’t get funkier than Big “G”. – he wrote the music to “R U Ready” and I love that cut because I always wanted a song with a funky bass solo in it. Richard Mills is our guitarist and my play-brother who also has been with the band since the beginning. Richard owns/operates Sound Reflections Studio and is a guitarist in his own right. His ability to scat and play always astound me and he’s doin’ his thing in the Blues genre and I’m looking for big things from him on my next project once we get past this one. Andre Greene on Keyboards is our newest member and only been with us for about a year.. but in his own right his abilities are phenomenal. This man can play anything… and I love his addition to the band. Last but certainly not least is my friend, play lil’ brother and spiritual guidance counselor…John T. Oliver III – John joined the band about 7 years ago. We needed someone to assist with vocals. As you said, I’m pretty intense on stage, but I’m also getting older and that intensity was catching up with me, so we thought as a band that we needed to add someone to the band that could sing as well as play after our 1st drummer (Ron Bishop aka Ronnie B. – whom we still love) decided to pursue some overseas gigs. John added so much to the band with not only his funky drumming but also with his ability to take a song and wind it several different ways. From Marvin Gaye to Stevie Wonder to a little O.V. Wright, he is a great singer and drummer and we are lucky to have him with us all this time and part of the family. This makes up the Baby Blues Funk Band! They all sing, they are all excellent musicians individually, but when you put them all together… You have a show!
ULNW: What are some immediate goals for Lady A and the Baby Blues Funk Band? LABB: We’re perfecting the cuts from our CD so that we can continue to bring first rate entertainment to our musical fans in coming shows. Getting the word out through Press Releases and wonderful magazine’s such as Urban Life about “BlueZ in the Key of Me” and getting some great feedback from reviews of the CD already, and we thank God for that. I am attempting to keep the band in the forefront of the blues news and performing with Amanda Gresham’s Delta Music Experience who has been a big supporter of the band and my personal blues goals. DME gives me as a personal artist the opportunity to branch out/network and entertain where I may not have had that opportunity. As a result I’m fortunate to be able to perform on such events as the DME “Rockin’ the Rails” one day scenic tour on September 11th leaving out of Portland, OR – I’ll be performing along with headliner and great Portland saxophonist, Reggie Houston – this is a trip I hope Seattle-lites will take an opportunity to explore. For more information just visit www.deltamusicexperience.com. We’ll be entering the International Blues Competition in 2011 if the Lord says so and hopefully taking our entertainment to Memphis if we win and represent the NW with “A New Breed of Blues”. That is my goal… I can’t ask for more than that.
ULNW: Please tell our readers where they can see you perform and where they can get a copy of your new CD? LABB: We are at the Paragon Restaurant & Bar on Queen Anne Hill, where we have been for the last 13 years. We are there every 1st Saturday of the month for our “Grown Folks” show, as well as performing for Leira Productions Fish Fry Friday every 4th Friday of the month at the New Holly Community Gathering Hall. You can check our web site for our event schedule and purchase of our CD “BlueZ in the Key of Me” at www.ladyababyblues.com Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this great magazine, which I read every month. I love the new look! ULNW: It has been my pleasure to tell your story in our magazine. Good luck and I know you’ll do great things. 14
Renton River Days (Renton) July 23 - 25 www.rentonwa.gov/living
Coffee Crawl (Seattle) Now - July 26 www.seattlebyfoot.com
Seafair (Seattle) Now thru August www.seafair.com
University District Farmers Market (Seattle) Every Saturday www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org
Hood River County Fair (Odell) July 28 - 30 www.hoodriverfair.com
Bite of Oregon (Portland) August 6 - 8 www.biteoforegon.com
RiverFest 2010 (Portland) August 19 - 22 www.portlandriverfest.org
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