Blogs

The Mount Rushmore of Black Inventors From Soap to the Super Soaker The Mount Rushmore series continues with a look at black inventors that changed the culture. So far, we’ve covered comedy, The Mount Rushmore of Black Comedy and dance, The Mount Rushmore of Black Dance. Admittedly, I didn’t know much about any of these genius pioneers, …

CB’S Extra RK Treats   OOEY GOOEY AIN’T NO FOOEY Who doesn’t love a good rice krispies treat? I’ve been enjoying these since the 70’s. They were always at the school bake sales. Invented in 1939 by two Kellogg’s employees in Battle Creek, Michigan, as a promotional vehicle for the cereal. These are an American …

Lift Every Voice Black History is American History When I was 15, I took my first trip to New York City from Los Angeles with my high school drama class. From December 26 to January 2, we explored the Big Apple and saw 4 Broadway shows. 42nd Street, Amadeus, Woman of the Year (Lauren Bacall) and a …

The Bodyguard turns 30 Like sand through the hourglass Do you ever wonder why time flies? Tonight, in the United States, we have daylight savings time (DST). As a result, Benjamin Franklin’s original essay concept that changing the clocks twice a year could maximize sunlight and increase productivity, is now just annoying. My body won’t …

It’s the Fourth! Independence and Relaxation Firstly, where does the time go? Secondly, is that an old persons saying? I feel like my parents used to say that all the time when they were the age I am now. We’re 6 months done with 6 to go. Halfway. Halftime. This weekend, I only want to …

The Accused   Black Women “These black women raise our children. We love them and they love us.” That’s a quote from the movie The Help. Did you ever see it? As I sat and watched the congressional hearings on the January 6, 2021 insurrection, I seethed with anger and thought of that film. How …

Hibiscus Tea It’s Juneteenth Y’all! A Well Needed Refresher The struggles are real. Some self-inflicted. I have a few friends who blog or put out something ‘weekly’ on the internet. Recently, I mentioned to one how I find this never-ending process of blogging so challenging that I want to quit, literally every week. Their reply …

10 Great Movies about Dads Why is it always “Hi Mom!”? A Son’s first Hero, A Daughter’s first Love He wasn’t a movie star, although he did have the looks. My Father, Ulysses (pictured above with his daughter, Rosetta, and granddaughter, Michal), epitomized a great Dad. The eldest of 7, he was the first to …

It’s already June? June, the most important month? Growing up in Southern California, June meant 2 things. School’s out for the summer and my birthday. Being of a certain age, however, they no longer carry the significance they once did. Especially after crossing the century mark, which I did many years ago. I’m not kidding. …

Homestyle Biscuits A Shout-out to simple, comfort food A couple of months ago, I got an email from a writer of an online travel magazine, asking for an interview. In the nineties I did lots of interviews. Magazines, radio, even a couple of talk shows. The Host(s) would generally ask the same question. “What’s Whitney …

Inclusion The Power of Representation Since 1992, the month of May has been designated Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage month. The United States is a country of immigrants. Everyone, save for the Native Americans, comes from somewhere else. We’re living in a time where many influential people are desperate to rewrite history. Repression, …

Winning! Most Memorable Day Ever “Stay in the world and don’t die.” Those prophetic words, by my great grandfather, Papa Clabe, have so much meaning to me, it’s why I include them so often on these blogs. “Staying here” means one gets the opportunity to see more, to feel more, to experience more. Good and Bad. …

Fire Roasted Salsa Cinco de Mayo I choose positivity. I’m telling you, I will not be deterred by what I see. I will, however, recommend my blog, The Power of Voting. This is food blog week and it will be published on Cinco de Mayo, or, May 5. I have a fantastic Fire Roasted Salsa that …

The Mount Rushmore of Black Dance And those that changed the culture “I am the hopes and dreams of slaves.”  Maya Angelou’s profound words have circled my mind and will in perpetuity. Every job fulfilled, every country visited, every opportunity to live life as a free man humbles me in knowing that those whose DNA I …

Spring Sakura, Cherry Blossoms Sakura, Cherry blossoms, are symbolic of Spring, a time of renewal. As a tour guide and traveler, I’ve been privileged to see them many times. The Tidal Basin in Washington DC, DC Cherry Blossoms, are vividly on display in March. A worthy visit although usually crowded during the brief 2-week viewing …

Pizza anyone? America’s Favorite Food Did you know that Americans consume over 3 billion pizzas a year? Growing up, I didn’t like pizza. I got sick after eating a piece in the cafe while my parents were shopping at Fedco. I was eight. As a result, I avoided it despite every sport I ever played …

Gratitude The Challenge of being Grateful Not to be egotistical, but I’m a big fan of my work. Now, I’m not talking about my acting work. Looking at myself 20, 30 years ago is absolute torture. Even the voiceovers on the food videos turn my stomach as I’ve always hated the sound of my voice. …

The Slap felt around the World And the worst week I ever had as an actor  I was stunned, along with millions, watching Will Smith physically attack Chris Rock at the Academy Awards last Sunday. A mild joke about Will’s wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, after initially laughing before turning to see her reaction, then …

CB’s Garlic Herb Butter And writers block? It’s food blog week. The early mission statement was to “make easy recipes with accessible and affordable ingredients.” I’m not a chef, although I went to cooking school for awhile and have taken cooking classes around the world. Okonomiyaki and Mayuko’s little kitchen cooking class. I find it’s a …

The Mount Rushmore of Black Comedy     And those that changed the culture   All my life I’ve heard “Chris, you are so funny! You should be a comedian!” Yeah, right. Being funny and being a comedian are two completely different things. Every black person I knew growing up was funny. My family, my …

Racism never takes a day off Makes me wanna holler The struggle is real. I have failed the challenge of weekly blogging. Not my first failure, certainly won’t be my last. Not one for making excuses, I can only apologize to you, my reader, for the lack of consistency and my promise to endeavor to …

CB’s Ginger Shot Health and Wellness on the cheap A game changer I’ve wanted to share this recipe with you since I first saw it on Instagram. A chef in Costa Rica that I follow and speaks no english, @donmojito, made this awhile back for health and wellness. A lover of ginger and its health …

In Memoriam-Sidney Poitier And my time with the GOAT I was insistent upon myself to get there early. I was so nervous. Casting director Jane Brody had told me earlier at the first audition that he might be there at the callback. The Director, Peter Bogdanovich would definitely be there, so, arriving early was imperative. …

TV’s Best in 2021 And my picks for the SAG Awards As my 4-month membership to the SAG Awards nominating committee comes to a close, all I can say is, “Thank God!” I tried to take my duties seriously. Watch as much as I could. Make notes. Keep an open mind. SAG provides us with …

Black Eyed Peas on New Year’s Day   Oh Yeah!! Au Revoir, Adios, Sayonara and good riddance 2021! What a crap year. I’m suffering from so much pandemic fatigue and anxiety, I welcome 2022 with open arms. For a new beginning if nothing else. My gratitude journal has continuously said throughout the year, “I’m grateful …

What is Kwanzaa anyway? Is it bad that I don’t know more about it? Absolutely not. Life, for me, is about the acquisition of knowledge. Knowledge is power. Nothing will ever change as far as that is concerned. However, in today’s world of misinformation and toxic individualism set against the backdrop of a deadly pandemic …

Holiday Entertainment Favorites For over 30 years, until my Mom passed away in 2013, we would spend every Christmas Eve at the Muci’s. They were a large family with 3 children and 3 adopted children from Vietnam. It was a traditional evening with food, games, music, bible readings and gift exchanges where you weren’t allowed …

CB’s Delicious Holiday Cider Spiked or Not… The previous blog entry, 10 Ways to Enhance Your Life, focused on eating to live not living to eat. One of my greatest challenges during this time of year. There’s food everywhere you turn. I’ve been attending a few in-person events for the SAG nominating committee lately. Mostly …

10 Ways to Enhance Your Life   Or my personal survival guide What’d I tell ya? First it’s Halloween and two weeks later it’s New Years Day. Why this time of year passes so quickly, yet the journey so arduous? This being the planet inhabitants only second year in major adjustment mode, I feel like …

Being shot in Hollywood Isn’t it supposed to be make believe? The tragic shooting on the set of the movie “Rust” in Bonanza City, New Mexico, October 21, which killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, has rightly shaken Hollywood to its core. Rust shooting incident. More than 30 years after the accidental shooting deaths of actor …

CB’s Mac and Cheese My favorite comfort food Perfect for the Holiday season For many years now, I’ve remarked that the holidays pass so fast one day it’s Halloween and a week later it’s New Years Day. When I had CB’s Caramel Company, this time of year proved extra busy and stressful. Filling orders, many …

Westside Food Bank’s 31st Annual Virtual 5k Walking from Home to End Hunger Oct. 17 to Oct. 24 The words, Supply Chain have become part of the daily discourse these days. How many times do you hear those words in a day? Evidence is everywhere. Prices are up, exponentially in some areas. Goods and services are …

Learns and Laughs   For 85 days I watched the reality show Big Brother. Like never before. In its 23rd season, for the first time, an African American won. Xavier Prather (pictured above), the 27 year-old attorney from Kalamazoo, Michigan, outlasted 15 others to take home the $750K grand prize. It was a riveting summer, …

Lemon Meringue Pie     Classic. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. My Uncle Charles has become quite the featured player on this blog. From his Everyday People interview Edward B, to his story of Papa registering to vote, The Power of Voting. Now, his dessert request for his recent birthday marks his third appearance on …

Have we forgotten how to laugh?   “Laughter is the language of the soul.” Pablo Neruda Remember when the general consensus was that 2021 was bound to be a better year than 2020? Surely we’d be back to a sense of ‘normalcy’ by now and past that horrible year of disease and division. Communities would come …

The Power of Voting “The vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democracy.”John Lewis The above picture is my Grandfather, Ulysses Birt Sr. He passed away when I was 10. He and his wife, Sarah Cotton, had 7 children. My Father, Ulysses Birt Jr, the eldest. …

Hooray! I made it to 50 blogs!   Will it be my last? If so, no better way to go out than by making my favorite thing. Chips. Not just chips, but my favorite spicy BBQ potato chips. I think I’ve perfected the spice blend, to my taste, that is. Super easy and without all …

Black Women Dominance-It’s here Mary Ellen ‘Mammy’ Pleasant You know what? The more I learn, the more I realize the less I know. I’m blessed to still have a thirst for knowledge. Besides wanting to quit this blog on a weekly basis, being a Gemini, I’m also grateful for it. It gives me accountability and …

Why I will not feel guilty for enjoying the Olympics “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can change until it is faced.” J. Baldwin Aquilino Gonell, Harry Dunn, Michael Fanone and Daniel Hodges are the names of the 4 Capitol Hill and Metropolitan police officers, who testified July 27 before Congress …

The Loaded Smoked Salmon Dip Perfect for Olympic viewing The Olympic games, the worlds largest sporting event, begins this week. After a one year delay due to the pandemic, 18,000 athletes from over 200 countries are gathering in Tokyo, Japan to fulfill a dream. With the virus still raging in Japan, the hope is that …

Visiting the South-Knowledge is Power And Exposure is Invaluable As many of you know, I am a massive sports fan. All sports. I love the drama of human competition. The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. The last month has been a sports utopia for me. The NBA finals, Wimbledon and Euro Cup …

Watchable TV in 2021 So far at least Writing a weekly blog is a learning process. There are many ups and downs. The ups come when I click the publish button, often at the 11th hour, signaling completion. The downs arrive shortly thereafter, in knowing I only have 6 days to come up with another …

Watermelon Granita and Soda-Summer’s Best   All hail to the mighty Watermelon Growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood in the 1970’s in Southern California was a constant paradox. Inside the home was filled with laughter and love. Outside the home was a minefield where I developed a keen sense of humor for navigational survival. …

The 4th of July Block Party Generations of Black Patriotism Summertime is here and America is eager to forget the last 15 months. Most state and local governments have lifted all restrictions with some likening it to releasing all the animals from all the zoos in the country at one time. As a result, everything …

Juneteenth-America’s 2nd Independence day And why we should ALL be celebrating it On Tuesday, June 15, 2021, the United States Senate unanimously passed a bill to recognize Juneteenth, or June 19, as an official holiday. Senate passes Juneteenth bill. Juneteenth celebrates June 19, 1865, the day freed slaves in Galveston, Texas found out they were …

Deborah’s delicious Gumbo And my first attempt at making it (Spoiler alert: Epic Fail) I was a June baby, therefore this is my birthday month. Not being one for going out to celebrate, I usually prepare something in advance and have a small gathering of family and friends. This year I wanted Gumbo. The Cajun …

The Great Alaskan Running Cruise The perfect vacation for the active traveler Yesterday, Memorial Day 2021, I spent the entire day moving my Uncle, a Veteran. Edward B. 6 hours of loading, unloading and reconnecting gadgets have left me feeling sore and old. Also grateful. You see, we had to move him into assisted living as …

Weight gain and the Pandemic America’s ongoing struggle with obesity increases during the pandemic I knew the numbers would be bad. It seemed an eternity before I would look down at the bathroom scale this morning. Making sure that I weighed myself first thing, with an empty bladder, I stripped down and stood there. Paralyzed. …

The Ginger Caramels How to make the most popular caramels at CB’s Caramel Company Started in 2014, CB’s Caramel Company was a labor of love that quickly turned successful. I had been making caramels all my life, since first trying Mrs. See’s vanilla caramels as a child. The sweet, chewy goodness was my favorite and …

Black in Tokyo Tokyo Japan as seen through the eyes of a Black traveler   My love of travel started early. A high school drama class trip to New York City to see the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls was kindling. Studying theatre in London at 19 and exploring the European continent in my twenties …

10 Great Movies about Moms A celebration of Moms in cinema In the 1974 film, Claudine, actress Diahann Carroll (pictured above) shines as a single mother of six who meets a garbage man Roop, played by James Earl Jones, as they try to navigate love and welfare in 1970’s Harlem. At times hilarious, it’s one …

Guacamole Salad – Living that plant-based life A delicious, cost effective, deconstructed salad with all the flavors of guacamole   Last weeks blog about aging, Aging: Getting older ain’t for wimps, elicited a number of terrific responses from you, my reader, for which I am grateful and appreciate all your comments. The intermittent fasting is …

Getting older ain’t for wimps   My Father, Ulysses, died of liver cancer at the age of 70. It was 5 months between diagnosis and death and I never saw him out of pain during that time. It was a horrible death to witness. My Mother, Ruby, died at the age of 78 of a …

The Hootch or How to make Apple Pie Moonshine     The Fourth of July has long been my favorite day of the year. For over 30 years, on my Uncle’s street in Gardena, California, a block party takes place. The entire street is blocked off with permits issued from the city from morning until …

Chile-How the Andes almost claimed me 2 life-altering days in Santiago   “I’ll be fine, you guys go ahead.” I didn’t feel fine, my heart racing near uncontrollably after being physically ill a number of times in a short period, mostly water and gatorade, but, after gathering myself and trying to catch up to the …

Pop’s Southern Fried Catfish The star of every fish fry   The fish fry, or cookout has been a staple in Black communities since the days of slavery. All over the United States, families, friends and communities gather and celebrate, no matter the occasion, through food. Of course, the fish fry or cookout is not …

Hola Cuba   Why everyone should visit that magical island at least once A difficult task is writing about Cuba. The experience of Cuba. The magic of Cuba. The mystery of Cuba. Impossible to articulate these any better than has already been written many times over. Last year, I wrote a blog on visiting, kind …

#stopasianhate This was suppose to be food blog week, nothing political, nothing controversial, but, as my parents used to say “you either stand for something, or fall for anything”, and, if I don’t speak out, or stand for something, with any platform, then what’s the point?  The United States is a very racist country. In …

Entertainment, awards and the pandemic Hollywood’s drastic shift to keep up with the changing times On February 28, 2021, the 78th annual Golden Globes awards were held, virtually, from Los Angeles and New York. Funny ladies Amy Poehler and Tina Fey did their best to usher the 3-plus hour telecast through a rash of technical …

Pandemic must haves   The most often used products over the last year that I now can’t live without   We are officially 12 months into a pandemic that has killed nearly 3 million people worldwide. Trying my best not to get political, the reality of southern California residents, which is the only perspective I …

Why Black History Month is American History Month “I don’t want a Black History Month. Black History is American History.” Those words uttered by actor Morgan Freeman are as destructive as they are candid and ringing with truth. In 1926, when historian Carter G Woodson started ‘Negro History Week’, he said, “If a race has …

One of the most in-depth interviews of my career   During the early summer of 2020, I was contacted through social media, by a young man from Italy named Pietro, a huge fan of Kevin Costner, who wanted to interview me for his Kevin Costner Italian fan club page on Facebook. Being new to social …

And why staying silent is not a choice anymore   CBactortraveler.com was started in December of 2019 as a vehicle to practice writing in a way that would allow me to begin submitting pitches and story ideas about travel and food to first local publications, then perhaps later larger ones, with the goal of eventually …

Sourdough at Home When Lucio’s bread baking class saved my quarantine blues   There are very few things in life that are more satisfying than baking bread. Watching the amazing process of turning flour, water and salt into what you see in the photos above still inspire me. During this time I’ve seen about 10 …

Celebrating Moms around the world “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. God bless Mommy and Daddy and Rosetta(sister) and Christopher (me) and James(brother) and Madelyn(sister) and Puddles(dog) and the fish and …

Okonomiyaki and Mayuko’s little kitchen cooking class The most delicious pancake, Japanese style Mayuko’s little kitchen cooking class – Shibuya, Tokyo Spending any amount of time in Japan and it inspires multiple stories. The longer you’re there, the more stories to tell. This being food blog week, I wanted to tell you about the cooking …

This week we breathe – Alaska As the planet breathes for the first time in over a century, so too should we   Astrological signs are not the kinds of things I’ve completely bought into over the years. The “Hey Baby, what’s your sign?”, thankfully is not something that’s ever horrified another female through me, …

A plea from the Foodbanks A painful reality check   It’s been over 20 years since the death of my father from liver cancer devastated my world. The 5 months from diagnosis to death were a head spinning nightmare and rendered me completely useless and lost until my mother, who had lost her husband of …

Da Bomb Baked Potato Soup Comfort food at its best   Before I begin, I want to give a huge shout-out to our state and local leaders. I feel very fortunate to live in California where we were the first to be placed on lockdown and are kept up-to-date daily by Governor Gavin Newsom and …

For the Love of Seattle Jazz How seeing Arturo Sandoval 3 years ago is helping with isolation   Ok 2 things. 1: Seattle Jazz is a misnomer. Jimi Hendrix is the most famous jazz musician from Seattle, according to Google and I daresay he wasn’t a jazz artist. Ernestine Anderson and Julian Priester are credited …

Who Knew? Surviving the Quarantine and adjusting to the new normal   These are definitely historic times. Never before have I done daily inventory on basic household products with a constant mind on rationing. “Ok, I got 2 eggs left. I can use those for pancakes or meatballs! What to do?” “How’s the toilet paper?” …

Lucy’s Gluten free Lemon Squares These are what started it all Sooo Good!   When I was 7, I caught the chicken pox. I was in second grade and I had to stay home from school for a month. It was torture. I couldn’t go outside and play with my friends because, as my Mom …

Note: I’ve updated this due to the ongoing pandemic outbreak of the COVID-19 or Coronavirus in the US and, in particular in LA. Currently, Los Angeles County has 27 diagnosed cases and 1 death. Most events in LA including the NBA, E5, Indian Wells tennis and multiple concerts have been cancelled or postponed. The Pantages …

Vanity Fair celebrates Hollywood in Pictures Hollywood legends shot by iconic photographers on display at the Annenberg Space for Photography   Through July 26, 2020, Southern Californians have the opportunity, for free mind you, to see a collection of photographic portraiture by the worlds most acclaimed photographers of Hollywood legends over the last 4 decades. …

Ceviche-Chile Style It’s an appetizer perfecto, gracias a la Cocina de Tatan y Santiago   Quick, easy, delicious   Cristian Mellado, or Tatan as he’s known, is early to pick me up for my much anticipated Gourmet Tour of Santiago, a 5 hour journey through the best local fresh markets, Mercado Central and La Vega Central, …

Central High School Visitors Center More important than the school itself? The most important in America? A while ago, I attended a travel writers conference in Little Rock, Arkansas. Having done my research prior to, I knew that I would make it a point to see Central High School, the first school to integrate in …

Gettin’ woke in DC   How 2 days in a museum changed my life. The National Museum of African American History and Culture   I gave myself 2 days. Probably needed an extra day. 6 hours was as much as I could do without pangs of hunger and heavy legs and eyes begging me for …

The Racial Harmony Chocolate Chip Cookie If all these chips can coexist in deliciousness, shouldn’t we?   Remember going to the mall when you were a kid? When I was young, close to 1000 years ago, malls were the center of all teenage social activity. It’s where we looked for girls (emphasis on looked), played …

Trying to see the Hemingway house on our last day in Cuba This is the restored Hemingway house turned museum, Finca Vigia or Lookout Estate, after a preservation effort with both adversaries, Cuba and the United States, in a rare show of cooperation to restore the place the much beloved writer spent 20 years of …

5 Must Haves for flying anywhere Things I bring to get me from Departure to Arrival with my sanity   Let’s face it, flying these days is like playing the lotto. Every flight, be it short or long haul, comes with its own set of challenges. Obnoxious passengers, overworked flight staff, supply shortages, these are …

The Cherry Stuff The #1 most requested, beloved dessert in my family for over 40 years. On June 12, 1976, my mother, Ruby Birt. attended the church's annual Taste Delight Luncheon, a gathering of ladies who brought their best dishes that were then compiled into a cookbook that would be sold with the proceeds going to [...]

An Afternoon highlight for visitors to Japan’s capital Brad Bennett, owner of Freewheeling Japan, a bike adventure and urban hiking company, picks you up at Sasazuka station in Shibuya City right on time. He’s easy to spot and thankfully there’s only one exit so even I couldn’t get lost. At once struck by his laid …

Usually, by this time of the year, I’ve looked at the calendar to see what breaks I have in the new year and where I’d like to go. The world a big place and there’s so much I haven’t seen.

Tokyo Baseball – Singing with the Swallows How the energy of the game cured my jetlag “Get up Chris! The game starts in an hour and you have no idea where you’re going!” In a tone very reminiscent of my mother during the bratty teen years, this command played over and over in my head, …

It’s been nearly 28 years since that photo was taken. When my agent turned manager, Carmella Gallien, called me and said

Most of us that are of a certain age, hear the word “Jitney” and it harkens back to a time when African Americans