Urban Suburban Magazine

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Urban Suburban is published quarterly by MoMac Media LLC. Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE EXPRESSED WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE PUBLISHER. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, photo’s or artwork. Printed in the USA

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Publisher’s Note

How often have you heard the expression, “Time waits for no one.”; or a biblical quote such as, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose…” It is because these phrases, quotes, and “pearls of wisdom” are true, yet ignored, that our individual egos allow each of us to think that we are an “exception to the rule”. I am going to tell you what you already know; we do not have forever to make a difference in the lives of our family, friends and community. We are each granted a limited time on this earth to make a difference. So how do we do it?

Your time… or the flat screen television??

Secondly, everyone’s week is comprised of 168 hours. How many hours, minutes and seconds are spent with family; developing lifelong bonds beyond accumulating material wealth? Most of us work between 40 to 45 hours per week. We sleep, on the average, about 56 hours per week. We work out, we commute to and from work, we spend time online, we spend time drinking at the bar or nightclub. How about the time we spend on Facebook or texting?

What time is left over? About 20 to 30 hours per week? Where do we find the time to build a positive foundation for our First, it goes without saying, that many lifelong relationships? Is the house worth people think that we all know how to love, it? Is private school worth it? I don’t have forgive, and to contribute to society in a the answers, but I DO KNOW that time positive way; how to be good fathers, moth- waits for no one; not for you, not for me. ers, sons and daughters. The sad reality is So, as another saying goes… “Don’t put off that many of these attributes are “learned until tomorrow what you can do today”… behaviors” and society has provided so Don’t delay. Start now. Here are few steps many obstacles that many of us, including that can be taken toward building those our children, have lost their way. Is it pos- crucial and lifelong relationships: sible to regain, or to stop, the erosion of our core values? How can we contribute in Parenting Time – Set aside time in order to increase involvement in your children’s day regaining these core values? I guess the real question is: What is important to us? -to- day activities. Pick a day, or two, to Is it more important to possess a plethora drop them off or to pick them up from of material items? Is it important to meas- school. If they take the bus, meet them at the bus stop. Use this “alone time” to start ure our collective success through our debt? Do we wish to sacrifice a meaningful reconnecting. relationship with our sons and daughters by not taking the time to engage them, one -on-one, in a meaningful conversation, or spending special “alone time” with each one; or even something as small as driving them to school? Do we sacrifice these small, meaningful and priceless things because we find it’s easier to give something material rather than to give them our time? What does your family value more?

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Family Time – Pick a day to just “hang out” as a family. Establish a movie night; have dinner at a restaurant together; visit with the grandparents/your parents. Use this time to socially reconnect. Trust me— absence does not make the heart grow fonder.

School Involvement –Show your face at school! …even if it’s during your lunch

break. Kids feel so special when parents visit them at school. It’s important that our children know that both parents, dad AND mom, are interested and involved in what goes on at school. It’s your child, too!

Faith– It is important to reconnect, as a family, with your neighborhood church, mosque or temple. Having a spiritual foundation is important. Lead by example.

Lastly, and this is very essential; it is your obligation, as a parent, to “OWN IT” by contributing, in small steps, to help to “fix” problems before they become bigger problems…or even before they arise. Giving of our time, communicating with our children and being present in the lives of our children is a key component that will aid in the prevention of many problems that have the potential to arise as they go through life’s stages. It’s not the responsibilities of their teachers, their coaches, their youth leaders or their friends’ parents. It’s YOUR responsibility as their parents. BE THERE!

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David Simms’

Special Beef Brisket BBQ Brisket of beef 5 – 7lb beef brisket 1 cup of vegetable oil ½ cup of fresh garlic ¼ cup of dry parsley 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley ¼ cup of Montreal steak seasoning 1 tablespoon of cracked black pepper ¼ cup balsamic vinegar

Mix all ingredients together until pasty. Cut 4-5 slits in the beef. Take the pasty mixture, and rub into brisket including the side of the fat.

Let marinade over night or at least 24 hours Take out next day, and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Fire up the grill, let coals get completely hot, for about 30-45 minutes, until they begin to heat.

Put the brisket on the grill, on the fat side down ( do not trim the fat). Cook for about 15 minutes on each side, with the lid off. Continuing to do this for about an hour.

Have a squirt bottle, with vinegar, and water, just in case the flame becomes to high.

After you have the desired flavor, cook for about another 1 hour, to ½ hour with the lid on, constantly turning. The meat should be cooked until tender.

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Manuel McDonnell Smith

is a Multimedia Content Editor with NewsCore, the content sharing service launched by News Corporation in November of 2009. This new division is tasked with aggregating the company’s global editorial intelligence and redistributing it in real time. From the New York City Bureau, Manuel is responsible for coordinating the cooperative multimedia efforts of News’ global portfolio of sites including wsj.com, foxnews.com, and sky.com

Denise James

is a seasoned journalist whose passion is telling stories that reflect people’s truths in empowering ways. Denise began her career at WGPR TV & Radio in Detroit. WGPR was America’s first black owned television station. There she hosted a live morning talk show, reported for the evening news and produced special segments focused on people and issues shaping the times. She has worked at network affiliate TV stations in Greensboro and Durham, North Carolina as well as 6abc Action News in Philadelphia. She has covered everything from education and celebrities to crime, politics and the Ku Klux Klan. Denise’s commitment has been to work in the public trust, giving view and voice to people and issues that might otherwise be overlooked or misunderstood.

Chanel

is a relationship expert/columnist. Most of her topics are concerning the male/female relationships on a weekly basis and offer advice concerning that specific topic. Chanel writes featured articles on Relationships and I am also the creator and writer for "Ordinary Woman Doing Extraordinary Things “series. She is also the Relationship Expert for Crème Online Magazine and she has written articles for EURweb Online Magazine. Chanel occasionally co-host "Beauty Shop Talk Wednesdays" on the Dedan Tolbert Show. Chanel has Bachelors in Marketing and Masters in Organizational Leadership.

Kyle Leishear

has been a Tech & Gadget enthusiast his whole life. Even as a child when he would break something he would try to fix it. That led him to a life of always trying to stay on top of the latest and greatest technologies and seeing how they work. Call him a geek if you will he doesn't mind at all.

Lisa Morton

is a native Philadelphian with a passion for writing. She loves applying both a common sense approach and substantive humor to her essays when lending her views on various topics. Lisa is a graduate of Temple University and currently works for the Philadelphia division of a major broadcast communications company. She loves mentoring young people by talking with them about their passions and helping them map out a working plan to make their dream careers a reality. She is married and the proud mother of two wonderful children.

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We recently encouraged all our readers to develop and write a 7-year plan for your lighted path! This month we shall focus our attention on the balance of career and family that your path may be brighter. It is often difficult for many people to find the delicate balance of fulf illing the nec ess ary responsibilities of careers and the needs of our families. Often it is our own guilt that makes our path appear dark; guilt that we do not spend enough time with our families; guilt that we have not spent enough time on our careers. This guilt overshadows our successes in both!

The right state of mind is to realize that when we manage our time effectively and efficiently the balance of career and family becomes our successes.

home with our families.

The questions we must ask ourselves; have we developed our ability to focus on our work while we are at work? Have we developed a schedule at home that affords us the opportunity to focus our attention on our family? Have we developed a method to address any (home)work that must be

“Communicate with our spouses and children and help them to understand that you are designing a schedule that will ensure you are an actively engaged spouse and parent.”

The great responsibilities of career and family can result in the source of stress for all involved.

We must examine ourselves first and seek to understand our own personalities before making the necessary changes to achieve balance. Once we have turned the spotlight on ourselves, it is necessary to illuminate the personalities of others, using a method of understanding within both our professional and personal relationships.

When we have taken the time to examine all the personalities involved in our lives it becomes necessary to focus on how we allocate our time and with whom we spend our discretionary time.

Recognize that it is not the amount of time that we spend working or the time that we spend at home; it is the quality of time that wesuburban spendmagazine.com at work and at 14 urban Philadelphia

done at home? These are questions that must be answered to achieve the balance for which we seek to experience.

Do not be deceived by believing that in this global society we only find it necessary to work smart; we must find it necessary to work hard and smart! We must be diligent to achieve the assigned task in our careers to avoid the feeling of being overwhelmed.

This overwhelming feeling has a direct correlation to our feeling of contentment and peace when we are with our families at home.

We want to encourage our readers to develop a holistic approach dedicated to reclaiming their natural and s piritual inheritance of harmony, peace and wisdom.

The following are steps that will help us to achieve the balance in our professional lives and will assist us with our professional development :

· The first step is to realize that what you are doing professionally is just as important as your marriage, raising children and the life of entertainment and pleasure that you enjoy. It is important to rejuvenate our thought process to alleviate the guilt that is sometimes associated with the balance of career and family. Decide what you want to accomplish in your profession and work (diligently pursue) to that end. When you go to work perform every task on your current job description daily or weekly if applicable. If you are seeking a new position find the job description online and determine the correlation between where you are and what you want to achieve (the information is available online). Once you have identified the correlation take on the additional responsibility as if assigned to you by your direct report. · Develop a 7-year plan for your career; identify your passion; purpose your passion; determine how your passion transitions into your profession to achieve professional growth and promotion; and implement your passion.

The next steps will assist our readers to recognize the significance of being engaged when we are at home with our spouses, children and even external family members outside of our household. The places we live, work, commune with family and friends, and spend the majority of our lives - have the most direct and powerful influence on our harmony and peace.

The following are steps that will help us to achieve the balance of harmony and peace in our family life:

· Communicate with our spouses and children and help them to understand that you are designing a schedule that will ensure you are an actively engaged spouse and parent. · Design a schedule that accommodates the schedule of everyone in the household; for example do professional at home business assignments while children are doing homework. If you are on deadline, once again communicate to ensure that everyone is clear of the necessity. · Schedule you fitness time to coincide with the schedule of your spouse and children. Agree to have designated time to spend every week (one day a week); if it is to attend family scheduled events, church services, recreational activities, or social services find something the family can do together every week (even if just a simple movie night).

Most importantly be presently engaged in body, mind and spirit!

This will make us successful and keep our families united in the balance of career and family.

This Path Lighting segment of the ‘Urban Suburban Magazine’ is dedicated to positively transforming the way we interact, live, work, play with others to create a world of “AWE” – Achievement, Wellness and Enlightenment.

We would like to hear from you to answer your questions from each segment of Path Lighting. If you have questions direct them to our contact section and look forward to a response in subsequent issues. Let us continue to walk in the light together!

The village was eager for, yet, another day of celebration. I was 15-years-old. At that age, my village called me a “woman”—ready to take care of her husband and her household. The day was one filled with laughter, merry-making and feasting in the village. It was one of the biggest wedding receptions held. I got married to a much-respected village elder; that was sixteen years ago. I was the fourth, and last, wife that the village elder married into his polygamous marriage. He died three years ago. I found out later that he was thirty-eight years older than I. I am now a widow with six children.

They said I was the most beautiful, the youngest, the most agile and most graceful… and so, his favorite…the one he was, obviously, most fond of; the one with whom he spent most of his time.

But why was it that deep down, I always felt tethered? Felt as if I was tied to a post and could only go so far? My six children, my being a wife at fifteen-years of age; was I tied to obligations that were thrust into my hands even before I could comprehend their magnitude? In the marriage, I did not have a say. My role was to listen and respond…period.

Today, I am HIV positive. The virus was transmitted from my then-husband. After he died, I got the courage to flee from the village, with my children, and seek shelter at a nearby community center. At the center, my children and I were on medication. My last two children were born HIV positive. Had I known any better, I would have been able to save them from acquiring the disease; but no one told me. WHY?

woman, as a mother and as a wife; that they have a right to basic education and healthcare; that they have the potential to be of great and positive impact in society; that, today, they have a choice and can say NO to being the [fourth] wife in a polygamous marriage;

For my daughters, I pray that their wedding day will be one of love, and not duty; one of choice, and not coercion. Let’s continue to spread the Sixteen years ago, I had no option. My wedding efforts of accessibility to basic healthcare and was one out of duty and coercion. I could not education and continue to teach girls that they say no to this man. I had no choice on marmatter. Let us not tire of making a difference in riage, family planning and childbearing. No one our rural communities. Let’s join hands with told me about choice, education, health or HIV. “Imbako” to reach the women, teach the chilWHY? dren and heal the communities I am not bitter; I just ache. I ache for those who - By Imbako Public Health go through what I did, and therefore, have to live with the consequences. I ache for my chilwww.imbakopublichealth.org dren who are HIV positive and, yet, it is not their fault. I ache as I think of wasted years and wasted potential due to cultures that are not adaptive.

Today, however, I still have the energy to make a difference to those who will come after me. I am a rural health community worker. My primary goal is to make sure that those girls born in the villages know what I did not know while growing up as a child in the village; that they matter and have worth as a girl, as a lady, as a 15 urban suburban magazine.com Philadelphia

Sullivan’s OIC Legacy Continues to Help People Help Themselves By Norm Bond and development of Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America (OICA).

Since its launch the organization has trained over two million people nationwide for jobs. The companies’ motto is “Helping People Help Themselves.”

Often referred to as "The Lion of Zion", Sullivan championed finding jobs for youth in order to get them off the street corners.

His efforts not only prevented juvenile delinquency, but also tackled problems of housing, employment and other issues confronting the Black community.

"While others were wringing their hands and whining it couldn't be done -- we just went ahead and did it." Rev. Leon H. Sullivan, Founder, OIC of America Malcolm X predicted that 1964 "Threatens to be the most explosive year America has ever witnessed. Why? It's also a political year." Today with another “political year” looming in 2012, it seems we're returning to the 1960's in many ways.

The largest banks are making record profits as a result of receiving bail-out monies from the federal government. The Occupy Wall Street protests occurring across America exemplify the general level of dissatisfaction of a wide segment of Americans. And the African-American community faces Great Depression level unemployment coupled with the largest loss of wealth in history.

In this backdrop there is a need for strong leadership from within the community. In Philadelphia, Rev. Leon H. Sullivan set a model in the 1960’s that continues to offer tremendous value. He led a crusade for “racial economic emancipation” as the pastor of Zion Baptist Church. In his book, “Build Brother Build” he detailed the birth

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To demonstrate the power of collective economics, Sullivan implemented the “1036 Plan.” He asked 50 members of Zion to donate $10 per month for 36 months to an unrestricted cooperative program. Two hundred members responded immediately.

In 1964, they purchased a $75,000 apartment building. In 1965, they broke ground for Zion Gardens, a million dollar garden apartment complex. And in 1967, the group broke ground for Progress Plaza, a $2 million shopping center, which was also the first African-American owned and managed development of its kind in America.

a clear message about economics and values.

But OIC of America has responded differently. In 1989 Reverend Sullivan first introduced FLASH - Future Leaders for the Advancement of Self-Help. The major initiative was designed to "foster the ongoing inclusion and development of young leaders in the employment and training services of OIC's across America".

H. Art Taylor, Chairman of OIC said, "We've brought back the FLASH initiative, to counter the negative connotations that most people see when the word 'flash' is mentioned today in conjunction with Philadelphia teenagers. By working together with a new group of bright, positive, and talented young leaders we're going to change that image."

Rashaun "DJ Reezey" Williams concurred.

The 17-year old President of Phresh Philadelphia exemplifies the type of African-American young man that is rarely seen in today's media headlines. He’s one of the young leaders working together to demonstrate the "power of education, humanity, entrepreneurship and unity." The acronym for this new, positive FLASH MOB stands for Future Leaders Advancing SelfToday our national dialogue is dominated Help via Mind Over Body. by discussions of the dismal economy, the need for job creation and reducing youth unemployment. We've seen so called "flash mobs" of Rev. Leon H. Sullivan, Founder, OIC of marauding youth in America downtown Philadelphia.

The Mayor lectured at the youth and stated Under the leadership of Howard Sullivan, publicly “you have damaged your own son of Reverend Sullivan, OICA has also race”. In addition he beefed up police launched a bold, new effort titled the patrols in certain neighborhoods, and "Entrepreneurial Mindset Initiative." Given implemented a new youth curfew. With the the proven correlation between selfongoing construction of the new $50 million employment and wealth creation, this Youth Study Center or "kiddie jail" in West focused initiative is designed to encourage Philadelphia, Philadelphia youth are getting

“We just went ahead and did it."

more African Americans to think like and become entrepreneurs.

Following the grassroots funding approach pioneered by Reverend Sullivan, the goal is to raise an initial $10 million via one million, one time, ten-dollar contributions.

In keeping with 21st century technological advances, OIC also introduced a mobile giving option. Cell phone users can make their donation by texting the keyword “OIC” to “41010”.

Imagine turning to what has worked in our past, infusing those efforts with the energy of today’s youth and adding in modern technological tools. What better way to help people help themselves?

============= Norm Bond is an international authority on marketing, corporate diversity, sales and multicultural issues. He can be reached via e-mail at norm@normbond.com or visit his website at www.normbond.com Photograph from the Willie Asbury Collection

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As various protest spark all over the Occupy movement stretching across the country. One has to wonder will Occupy Philadelphia protest broadening its non violence stance in Philadelphia. Will the current peaceful Occupy Philadelphia movement end in violence or demonstrate that peaceful exchanges of civil awareness and disobedience can exist.

Photography by Greg Tavares

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This upstart movement of protesters challenging the world's economic systems has gained momentum by piggybacking off the worldwide uprising across the Arab nations to the capturing the world's attention by closing the United States 5th busiest shipping ports after a daylong strike. What will become of the Occupy movement? Watch as the store unfolds. I’m curious to see the end game. Are you? GCB

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Urban Suburban Side

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1 - Lorenzo & Sons Pizza 305 South Street Philadelphia, PA 215-627-4110 2 - Chestnut Hill Park Philadelphia PA 3 - Water’s Memorial Church 609 South Clifton Street, Philadelphia, PA 215-923-4056 4. Zipper head on South Street 5. Hats in the Belfrey 245 South Street Philadlephia, PA 215922-6770 Photographs 1, 3, 4 and 5 by Lois Mauro Photographs 2 by Jamika Richardson 20 urban suburban magazine.com Philadelphia

Where is it?

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1 Water’s Memorial Church 609 South Clifton Street, Philadelphia, PA 215-923-4056 2. Johnny Rockets 443 South Street Philadelphia, PA 215—829-9222 3. Jim’s Steaks 400 South Street, Philadelphia , PA 215-928-1911 4. Chestnut Hill Park , Philadelphia , PA 5. Philadelphia Magic Gardens 1020 South Street, Philadelphia, PA (215) 733– 0390 Photographs 1,2, 3 ,& 5 - by Lois Mauro Photograph 4 by Jamika Richardson 21 urban suburban magazine.com Philadelphia

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Diversity in Faith by Ms. Sana’ Moody

Two Parents, Two Different Faiths, One Decision to Make When the two people who love you the most have two completely different opinions; when you try so hard to please both; when you’re confused about what you feel is right; when you are told you can have only one faith and follow one religion; when sooner or later a decision will have to be made, then will you truly understand how it feels to have parents of two different religions.

I have lived with having parents of two different faiths for much of my life; yes,, it seemed strange to others, but it never really phased me. I knew things were different. I was different; and because of this, life was, at times, a bit complicated with my parents; but I tried not to think of it in a negative way. Never did it cross my mind that one day I would have to choose one faith until that day actually came. Making this decision taught me to accept responsibility and to make decisions on what is best for me and not just on how to please others.

Growing up, my mother was a Muslim and my father was an Israelite, which is much like an African American Jew. I was exposed to both of these religious traditions throughout my entire childhood, but mostly my mother’s, because I lived with her and only visited my dad from time to time.

Because I lived with my mother, I always assumed that I would follow in her footsteps and become a Muslim.

When I became older, my father informed me that we needed to talk. I knew that the topic had to be important just by the tone in his voice. As we sat down to talk I could feel the seriousness in the air... almost as if I the tension in the room was crawling through my skin. He said that, pretty soon, I would have to choose one faith to follow. I did not want to disappoint either one of my parents, so I explained to my father that, maybe, I could follow both faiths. However, this was not an option. He said that within his religion, like a militant to his instructor, one must show full dedication and respect to only one faith. At that point, I knew that I had to make a decision.

I began attending my father’s church more often and I fell in love with the family feeling of the community and the

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pure knowledge that I received each time I attended the classes. When this became a regular thing, I could truly discern who I wanted to be. I decided to inform my mother once I knew for sure. My mom always told me that she would support me in whatever I choose, but I knew in her heart, that by not choosing to be Muslim that I would hurt her feelings as if all her hopes and dreams were simply crushed. When I told my mother of my decision, she began to cry. I felt terrible, but she later let me know that she loved me no matter what faith I chose, and that she would continue to support me.

My decision was final. Not only did I know I made the right decision, but I also took a step towards maturity and responsibility.

When the two people who love you the most have two completely different opinions; when you try so hard to please both; when you’re confused about what you feel is right; when you are told you can have only one faith and follow one religion; when, sooner or later, a decision will have to be made, then will you truly understand how it feels to have parents of two different religions. Most of my life I focused on trying to please others and never wanting to disappoint them meant a lot to me- even if it meant not always doing what was best for me. However, this whole situation showed me that from now on, as a young adult, that it is time to make decisions that are best for ME, that will impact ME in a positive way, and that will lead ME to success; even if it means disappointing others.

So, much like the faith I chose to practice, I choose college because I know that it is what’s best for me and it’s what will lead me to the path of success… no matter what others think.

Sana’ Moody

Good Parenting sense statement was instilled in me through my parents as a child. I thought how simply brilliant it was for this teacher to open these young minds to a credo that they can carry with them for life. What a great daily resolution for all to practice; working hard, as it has been said, will not kill you; but it will bring you a sense of great satisfaction. Being kind (I love that word!) keeps our hearts open to give to others and to receive all blessings that are meant for us. Let’s resolve to embrace, share and display Faith, Hope and Love in 2012… more than we did in any years prior. I’ve heard that it takes two weeks for something to become a habit. If this is true, I think that practicing these traits are good habits to try to pick up. It will certainly be a great start in a New Year on this adventure they call “being a parent”!

Until next time…WORK HARD and BE KIND! ### HAPPY NEW YEAR! H-O-P-E (Having Options Presented Everyday) reigns supreme at the dawn of every New Year!

Let hope reign supreme throughout our entire year as we continue the journey of shaping the lives that we were called to parent, guard and mentor.

Lisa M. Morton ©2011

In these challenging times of raising thinking, compassionate, communicating, reasoning, globally-minded, charitable young people, I am the first to ask, “What am I mirroring and am I being about what I say I’m about?” At times, I shudder because I already know the answer. People talk about resolutions at this time of year; however, everyday that we awaken, in my opinion, should be about resolving that trait which sends mixed messages to the people in our lives--especially the children in our lives-ours or others. STOP your dysfunction with yourself! Until we recognize, embrace and resolve to STOP behavior that is unbecoming of a human being, we are doomed to pass it on. Children learn both consciously and sub-consciously.

How can we correct the behavior when our offspring displays it, if we cannot correct it in ourselves? “Do as I say, not as I do” does not work. Our children learn to “honor thy father and mother” when we learn to first honor ourselves. Knowing better and choosing not to do better is the definition of “trifling”.

Learning and growing as a person, and as a parent, is a continual challenge for me; and it is my hope that the work that I do on myself will make my children, and any other young person I come in contact with, a better person. In this season of renewal, what is most important to remember is that every lesson taught and learned boils down to the basic common sense principal of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

When my son entered third grade, his homework for the first day of school was to memorize the classroom creed, which was, “WORK HARD and BE KIND.” I remember thinking, “Wow! Excellent life advice!” That common 25 urban suburban magazine.com Philadelphia

getting a divorce are opportunities to test your stamina for change. Once you’re stepped off the ridge into the unknown, you will never be the same and you don’t want to be. This is your ticket to growth and as you grow consciously you become more connected to your true self.

3.Deal with the fear and uncertainly which accommodates change and try Meditation. ‘Don’t be scared’ is easier said than done. Fear can stop you dead in your tracks; it’s the biggest contributor to procrastination. Russell Simmons in his latest book, Super Rich, states he meditates often when he is confronted with choices, it helps clear his head. Meditation helps you to move into your discomfort rather than away from it, with ease.

4.Uncover your truest desire- What is my desired outcome in this situation? How can I honor my voice? Ask the teacher within as you sit in mediation, answers will come, write them down. Self-inquiry or atma vichara is the process for navigating change.

Change Is Gonna Come … Oh Yes It Is!

were at a place where they needed help in order for them to continue living in their own home and community. I made the decision to

By Kind Essence, M.Ed., Certified Yoga Instruc- come back here to live and take care of them.

A change was upon me, whether I was ready or tor, Spiritual Intuitive Healer 5.Set a strong intention, a clear, articunot. It was scary! After months of crying I finally late, affirmative statement-call on the For those of us connected to Mother Earth, our give in. Once I accepted the change, surprispower of your personal will; align your will Universe, our feelings and emotions, we are ingly enough, everything fell into place. acutely aware of change as it comes upon us with the will of the cosmic universe. and our environment and we know exactly how 1.Change is inevitable, continuous and to roll with the punches, but for the rest of us 6.Take action one step at a time. We call unavoidable, states a Buddhist Doctrine who don’t have a clue, I have 7 Core Yogic this abbyasa-steady effort in the direction of Impermanence. With acceptance teachings to help support you as change you want to go. Create a Plan of possibilicomes this realization; it’s not just hapcomes into your life. ties based upon your self inquiry and re-

pening to you, but to every living entity.

Change comes bringing movement and I am coming from a yogic background therefore Metaphysics play an important role in my manifestation into your being, sustains it logic. Once I began my studies in yoga philoso- for awhile and then it disappears. The ebb phy I knew it was going to have a positive efand flow of the ocean, the changing of the fect on my life and how I was to approach it. seasons, the expansion and contraction of the earth. Except this as part of nature How does change come into your life? Does it come with a smooth, Denzel Washington swag- and you’ll be in better shape facing your microcosmic levels of shifts in your physiger or with the intimidation of a Hurricane Irene? You should know so you can Captain cal, mental and spiritual life. your ship in the direction you want it to go. If there is some confusion give these 7 Core Yogic Teachings a try.

Change came into my life radically back in 2004, I wanted to pursue my PhD in San Francisco but the universe had other ideas. I came back to Philly to visit my family one last time before moving to California, but what I saw changed my life. My aging mother and aunt 26 urban suburban magazine.com Philadelphia

2.Change is an invitation to step out of your comfort zone into a new arena. How do you perceive change? If you look at it as an ‘invitation’ to free yourself or upgrade, you’ll fare better. As the kids say, “Don’t be scared!” Leaving home for college, moving to a new city, quitting a long time job to start your own business or

sponses. Once thought out, you must take action.

7.Practice letting go! Making changes affords you the opportunity to detach, vairagya. Allow yourself to feel the anxiety or fear, than let it go. These things exist, acknowledge them, but remember they don’t define who you are or where you are going.

Kind Essence offers yoga classes, workshops and retreats. Contact her 856-297-7070 for information regarding classes in her Wynnefield Studio: cateyes7777@hotmail.com

Our Spiritual DNA

Our Spiritual DNA or Just Do It!

I have often heard people ask the question, “Why am I here?”

Everyone seeks the answer to that innate question that resonates in the very essence of our being. It is my belief that every person born on this great existence called earth was strategically designed for a specific purpose as part of an overarching strategic plan. We were created and fashioned to grace this universal platform to identify a particular problem and to formulate a strategic agenda in order to solve or fill an identified void in the earth. No child born is ever an accident. Every person’s DNA was fashioned in a way to ensure their influences in the earth would allow the world know that we were here. We were developed with a mission in mind, and destiny was etched within the walls of our DNA. There is an assignment on your life. Our character, personality, culture, family heritage, and life experiences were all designed for one purpose, to discover the essence of who we are, why we are here, and what we were created to be.

God had in mind when he thought of everyone of us, and as a result, he established a plan and charted out a path that would enable us all to discover our destiny. Destiny requires a destination, thus it is our ultimate responsibility to discover the path to our destination, realizing that it is our responsibility to leave our "spiritual" DNA in the earth. We must each desire to leave our footprint in the earth for the world is supposed to know that we were here. I heard Oprah Winfrey express during the opening of her Leadership Academy, “This is why I was born”. In her mind, the school for girls is her legacy. Yet, legacy is not reserved for the fearless few, but rather legacy is a byproduct of one discovering and fulfilling who and what they were meant to be. What did God have in mind when he created you?

The path to destiny is never an easy one for there is a continual force whose mission is to abort assignment on your life. That force comes in many ways, but one of the greatest enemies that try to block us from discovering, embracing, and fulfilling destiny is so inconspicuous that most never recognize it. This enemy is not a person. It is not our husbands, wives, children, or any other person for that matter. Most times our greatest enemy is the enemy of complacency. We should not want to leave this earth until our mission is accomplished and our destiny fulfilled.

You have a destiny to accomplish and a legacy to fulfill. Today, purpose in your heart and mind to take one step towards the fulfillment of your assignment in the earth. Then do it.

Written by Minister Kelly L. Beard Graduate, Eastern University BS Business Administration Currently: Completing Masters in Divinity, Biblical Seminary President and CEO of Spirit of Praise Collaboration

We are all designed for greatness, yet greatness comes in varywww.thegatecalledstraight.com ing degrees. There is greatness, destiny and purpose in you. The precious gift of life is never an accident. There was something 27 urban suburban magazine.com Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s Best Kept │ New Book Releases

Abstinence is Kool It is an initiative that challenges middle and high school girls to take a pledge and say NO to sex for the entire school year. Taking the pledge is a simple process. The girls who are interested in taking the challenge simply send an email to iamnotdoingit@gmail.com stating their name, age, school, city, state, and the reason they are taking the pledge (or they can join via the website, www.abstinenceiskool.com). They will then receive a confirmation email confirming they are apart of the initiative for that school year. Throughout the school year, the girls will have a chance to be a part of several fun and exciting activities including a chance to meet some of their favorite celebrities and a trip to BET’s 106 & Park! Furthermore, the girls will make new friendships with young ladies who are just like them!

These girls will give each other the much needed support to make it through the challenge throughout the school year.

Abstinence is Kool (AIK) was created by Celebrity Radio Host, Kendra G. According to Kendra G there are MAJOR rewards that come along with being a Celebrity Radio Host, but in September 2008, Kendra G created a movement that would change her life and the lives of teen girls everywhere forever. The birth of Abstinence is Kool.

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The T.D. Jakes Relationship Bible: Life Lessons On Relationships From The Inspired Word Of God Whether you’ve got relationship troubles or you want to enrich your relationships with God, your family members, your significant other and even with yourself, Bishop T.D. Jakes is here to help. This lavish and lovely edition of the King James version features warm and informative essays from Jakes, who takes you by the hand and leads you into “the romantic liaison between divinity and humanity.” If you are a new believer who feels intimidated by the prospect of reading the Bible, this is the edition for you: the bishop explains how to think of the Book in easy-to-grasp pieces. He shows how working on our relationship with God, “the greatest love story in the world,” helps us deepen and improve our relationships with our loved ones. http://www.parable.com/i.The-T-D-Jakes-RelationshipBible-Life-Lessons-on-Relationshi.9781439172780#

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Chocolate Me!

The Neelys' Celebration Cookbook

Now a dad himself, acclaimed actor Taye Diggs draws on his own childhood experiences to write Chocolate Me! It’s the story of a boy who’s teased by the other kids at school because he looks different. He feels left out and wants to be like everyone else—what little kid wouldn’t? Thanks to his wise and loving mom, though, the boy learns to love the beautiful, chocolatey skin he’s in.

Pat and Gina Neely, the beloved husband-and-wife chef team and stars of the Food Network®’s Down Home with the Neelys, are all about lettin’ the good times roll. Now they serve up another bestselling cookbook guaranteed to put the “party” in your next dinner party!

This heartfelt picture book boasts big, bold, colorful drawings and simple, child-friendly text that’s perfect for beginning readers. It’s a long-awaited labor of love for Diggs and his good friend, the award-winning illustrator Shane W. Evans, both of whom faced the same issues of feeling different and wanting to fit in. Ages 4-8. http://www.blackexpressions.com/children-&-young-adult -books/children-books/chocolate-me-by-taye-diggs1073924214.html

The Neelys believe that life should be celebrated, holiday or not, and with this mouthwatering collection of 120 recipes, they give you everything you need to Neely-tize your table far beyond the holiday season! Here, the Neelys share their recipes and secrets for entertaining year-round, dishing up new spins on seasonal classics and suggesting occasions to celebrate that most of us haven’t thought of ourselves. Along with menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter Sunday and every known holiday in between, you’ll also get menu ideas to “Welcome Home, Baby” (Smothered Pork Chops and Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes); to make “Spring Cleaning” more fun (One-handed Turkey Burgers and Mint Tea) and much more. Whether you’re a big fan or just discovering this fun couple of cuisine, The Neelys’ Celebration Cookbook is sure to be a favorite you’ll turn to for celebrating all the special events, big and small, that occur throughout the year! http://www.blackexpressions.com/cooking-books/celebrity-books/ the-neelys-celebration-cookbook-by-patrick-and-gina-neely1072402474.html

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Web Design

FIVE DON’Ts FOR

DESIGNING

YOUR WEBSITE

By Rhonda Alexander

Whether it’s for your business, a hobby, your favorite cause, or even your church, there are certain rules you should follow when creating your “web presence”. The most important thing is: You must stand out. There are millions and millions of websites that could be just like yours. What will make people stop, take notice, and select yours?

There are lots of things you can, and even should, do but the most important things to remember are what NOT to do. The last thing you want to do is turn off a prospect. The five items listed below are surefire ways to run your visitors away quickly.

MUSIC. Lots of website owners think it’s great to have their favorite song strike up as soon as a visitor lands on the site. That’s a mistake!

How can you be sure that your site’s visitor has the same musical tastes as you do? What if the person is at work and doesn’t want –or can’t have– music blaring in the office? What if your visitor just doesn’t want to hear music?

You can’t guess the tastes of your visitor; even if you pick the most serene, most relaxing sonata, it will turn some of your visitors away.

So, when it comes to web- sites, a good rule of thumb is: “Silence Is Golden”.

ANIMATION/FLASH/LANDING PAGES. Be careful about setting up your introductory page as one huge flash animation. At the first occurrence, your visitors might find this clever and interesting; but if they want, or need, to come back again and again, they could easily tire of being made to sit through your animation just so they can get to the content they’re seeking.

The alternative? Use flash and animation wisely and sparingly. A header or sidebar that scrolls information, or fades interesting pictures and concepts, will probably go over better with your visitors.

Should you decide to use a landing page, employ a “skip” button or “enter site” link that will allow the visitor to bypass the show and get right to the information.

CRAZY BACKGROUND COLORS. Ok, so chocolate and mint green go great together; so do blue and red, and purple and yellow —for 30 urban suburban magazine.com Philadelphia

clothes, logos, and team jerseys, perhaps— but they may not be your best choices of color for the background and text of your website. An important factor to remember when creating your site is contrast. You want your text to be read easily by anyone who stops by; not just those who happen to be wearing shades or using magnifying glasses at the time.

To make sure that the text of your site can be easily read, first, be sure to use a large font size. Depending on the font you choose, 10or 12-point may be sufficient. Secondly, you should select background and text colors that are easy on the eyes when viewed on a bright computer screen. Loud, neon colors make the eyes tired, and text that is very close in color to the background can strain the eyes and give your reader a headache. When it comes to your text area, white text on a very dark background, or a very dark colored text on a white background will give you optimal contrast.

TOO MUCH CONTENT. So… you have a lot you want your visitors to know; the history of your company since 1825; a detailed description of every service your church offers; all forty-two of the ways that your network marketing company pays… In every case, the information may be interesting, but is it integral to your ultimate message? Does it compel the reader to “visit us”, “buy from us” or “donate to our cause”? That’s the whole point of the site! Don’t lose focus.

When writing text for your site, keep extraneous content to a minimum—only include what is absolutely integral to your message and purpose for the site. Most internet surfers have short attention spans.

Anything beyond 500-700 words may get ignored and the visitor will move on to the next page or to the next site. Keep your writing concise and compelling. Give your readers a REASON to pick up the phone, send you an e-mail or stop by to find out more about your company or organization.

CONTACT INFORMATION. The last thing you want a prospective client, donor, member or reader to wonder is, “Where are these people located?” One of the most annoying things that can happen to a visitor is for them to want to contact a company about their services and not know how to make contact. An online form just isn’t personal enough for most people; they think that no one will reply or, if they do reply, it will be days later.

The best thing you can do for your site is to make sure that your contact information is accurate and located in a prominent place on your site-- preferably on each page so that visitors don’t have to hunt for the information. What a disappointment it would be to discover that someone was ready to shake hands with you, but moved on to the next provider because they couldn’t figure out how to get in touch with you!

When all is said and done, it is important to remember just how crucial websites are to any cause or organization. Many times, before you even see or hear from prospects, they have already looked you up, checked you out, and judged you based on what they’ve seen online.

By creating a site that is welcoming, professional-looking and easy to read, you dramatically increase your chances for being the organization that internet surfers choose.

Please visit www.clickittwice.com for more information.

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Wearable Jewelry

Mt. Airy Collection - The Wearable Art The new “Mt. Airy Collection”, which Timea created when she lived in Philadelphia, PA in the summer of 2011, promises something for everyone. This collection allows us to be able to see and discover the uniqueness of seemingly ordinary shapes and colors of the healing gem stones.

The amazingly shaped and stylishly craved semi-precious stones and beads- from Agate, Amethyst, Citrine, Coral, Jasper, Fresh Water Pearls, Mother of Pearls to Turquoise- are just a few of those that Timea Talian used to create art in her jewelry collection. These pieces epitomize the character of one’s feminine grace, style, and sensibilities.

In today’s world, we are surrounded with modern conveniences such as cell phones, computers and microwaves that emit radiation. These electromagnetic waves interfere with our body’s magnetic fields. With Timea’s vision, she extracts the basic motives created by nature, and stylizes them creating attractive and highly artistic forms, shapes and ideas. These pieces of art, besides being unique and inspirational, are items that we can use every day to maintain our body’s magnetic field without invasive medical procedures.

Timea Talian’s collection is capable of slipping beauty into a gray Wednesday afternoon. The pieces reflect a truly unique look that will turn heads wherever you go. Timea Talian’s jewelry is the most stylish and easiest way to maintain your health by restoring bodily, mental, and spiritual health to its perfect natural state.

Photography by Timea Talian

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Timeless Classic's

and she designs collections exclusively celebrities in Atlanta.

Her collection appeals to singers, musicians, actresses, supermodels and dancers thus appreciated by an increasing wider worldwide audience.

Original Artist Timea Talian is the founder and head designer for Oggy Designs LLC. She earned a degree in fashion/dressmaking in Budapest, Hungary and she is also a self-taught jewelry designer.

With her excellent sewing and alteration skills, Oggy Designs LLC is specialized in made to measure business for individuals that desire unique clothing but the company also provides one-ofa-kind handmade accessories. These pieces epitomize the style of one’s feminine grace, style, and sensibilities.

Oggy Designs LLC mostly targets Executives, Film Directors, Producers, Actors, Singers, Dancers who regularly attend to red carpet events, wrap parties, galas and such events that require unique and high end fashion outfits in Atlanta, GA. Ms Talian strives to grasp the essence of nature and integrate it into contemporary fashion trends. Doing so, she raises concuios and in some cases unconcios awarness of the simple beauty of our surrondings, that we walk by day by day without even noticing them.

She extracts the basic motives created by nature and stylizes them creating attractive and highly artistic, forms, shapes, and ideas.

Her work also reflects the intantion of not loosing practicality in the process. This results in jewelery, besides being unique and inspirational pieces of art, are items that we can use every day.

By balancing modern designs with traditional elegance, and some whimsical fantasy, Timea has gained a large following. Her designs are being worn in numerous independent film projects,

Photography by Timea Talian

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Who’s Laughing Now

By Manuel McDonnell Smith “Don’t make me laugh, this is serious shit!”

It’s been a seriously great year for Philly bred Comedian, and now Actor/Producer Kevin Hart.

On the heels of his 90-city “Laugh at my pain” comedy tour, one of the most successful comedy circuits in history, with over $15,000,000 in tickets sold (and too many laughs to account for), Kevin dived head first into developing the routine from this act into a feature film.

Despite the film debuting in only 99 theaters nationally, it brought in $2 million dollars at the box office, impressive by all Hollywood standards for a comedy special, and even more impressive when you consider the fact that the film was produced for under $800,000 by Hart and a close team of producers from his newly formed company “Hartbeat Productions”. As the film continues to rack up dollars in wider release for Hart, he talked with Urban Suburban Magazine

about fans, fame, and filmmaking:.

Q:“Laugh at my pain”, does not exactly sound like a comedy film. What’s it about?

KH: It’s about the darker side of life, my relationship with my father who was a drug addict, the relationship with my brother, divorce from my wife.

I can’t wait to see the reactions (of the audiences to the film).

Q: Speaking of divorce your divorce, have been a lot of headlines on that. How’s that going?

KH: Marriage is hard from an entertainment standpoint. Basically, she was not happy with me being dedicated to my career the way I am. So we had to figure out how to move on, and the best way to make each other happy.

Q: New lady in the picture now?

KH: No, I’m single.

Q: Your dad, how are things between you and him now?

KH: He was on drugs for a long time, and in and out of jail. He didn’t get clean until I was 22. My 36 urban suburban magazine.com Philadelphia

brother and I, we helped him to get cleaned up, into rehab. We’re close now.

Q: When you come home, where are the places you love to check out?

Q: Your brother, does he have the same talent destined for stardom?

KH: He’s a professional pool player. Really. Got it from my dad.

KH: I always go to Max’s, Broad & Erie for a cheesesteak. It’s part of Philly’s heritage. Fried Onions, Salt, Pepper, Ketchup, and Mayo.

Q:From the stage to filmmaking, how have you approached the process?

Q: They say Philly fans are the toughest? True?

KH: I’ve been involved around the board. It’s been great to build a company and start it from scratch from just a vision of what I wanted it to be like. I know with this that I need to see everything, I need to be involved.

KH: I grew up performing in the Laugh House on South Street, the New Market Cabaret, and every bar and restaurant. The thing about the Philly audience is that you have to make them laugh. You’re dealing with angry people. If you can make it in Philly, then you can make it anywhere.

Q: Overall, is there a goal that you have with the film?

KH: I’m trying to make history with a comedic theatrical release.

There’s only been a slim amount of artists able to do this with this genre.

Q: So you’ve been in Hollywood for a minute now, have you made any other celebrity comedian connections?

Q: You’re a long way from 15th and Erie where you grew up. What were your dreams back then?

KH: Keith Robinson, Jerry Wells, Chris Rock, Steve Harvey, I know them all. But Eddie Murphy and I are really cool. He is a mentor to me.

KH: From where I grew up, I wasn’t supposed to be a comedian, I was supposed to be a killer.

Q: By now, you’ve heard of the teen “Flash Mob” incidents that have plagued your hometown this past summer. As a kid from the hood, what’s your take?

KH: The level of stupidness of this is ridiculous……as a kid, you need to learn to apply yourself, and not hang with kids who only bring each other down.

Q: Applying yourself, how did you manage to do that growing up in Hunting Park?

KH: My mother kept me engaged. I was involved at the Boys & Girls Club across from Gratz High School, and spent two days a week after school (George Washington High School) with the swim team. Between that, and the hour SEPTA commute to school from home, I was always busy.

Q: Some people feel funny about the amount of obscenity in many comedian’s routines. What’s your take?

KH: If it’s who you are in life, then be who you are on stage. Don’t be a character. I’m not vulgar, but I do cuss.

Q: What future productions can you foresee Hartbeat Producing?

KH: It’s all about branding with the right people. Currently we’re working on projects in the comedy realm, but it’s important us to own whatever we’re going to produce.

Q: Movies, the stage, performing. You’ve been doing it all. What’s next?

KH: I’m jumping on all platforms. We’ve just released a mobile app related to my twitter feed. Bascially the more you follow me, the higher you go. It’s only 99 cents, and it already broke the top 100 in itunes downloads.

Q: So how did you escape that fate?

Q: Any advice for aspiring filmmakers, comedians?

KH: My Mom, we were close. Growing up, I was a mama’s boy, she was a professor at the University of Pennsylvania. But I had no interest in school, education. I wanted to play basketball, make it to the NBA. I played on George Washington High’s Basketball Team.

KH: Be ready to apply yourself 5 days a week. Stay healthy, take care of your body, it’s your temple. Keep your pride, stay focused, and always put your best foot forward.

Q: Win any championships?

Q: How about something from Eddie Murphy, any nuggets of wisdom to share?

KH: Get a leather blazer. Or at least a gray leather jacket. It’s been a signature of all successful comedians.

KH: Not even close 37 urban suburban magazine.com Philadelphia

Yvette Ganier is an award-winning actress who has turned her sights toward film producing. Recently, Yvette was seen in Tartuffe at Temple Repertory Theatre. Just last year, Yvette was on Broadway in the 2010 revival of The Miracle Worker. Yvette is currently completing her MFA in acting at Temple University, and is rehearsing the role of “The Duchess of York” in Richard lll by William Shakespeare. She recently wrapped in the film Must Be the Music, as “Lena”, starring opposite Charles S. Dutton.

Yvette has had an extensive career in the theatre and credits the playwright, August Wilson, as one of her great teachers and mentors. Yvette originated two roles for August Wilson; “Rena”, in Jitney, and “Black Mary” in Gem of the Ocean. She was on Broadway in another one of August Wilson’s plays, King Hedley II. Yvette, as a young producer, is being mentored by filmmaker, Harry Davis, and is learning the ropes of independent filmmaking. The passion that she continues to have for her first love, acting, is extended towards her new passion for producing movies. She is happy to announce that Joy Road, her first venture as an associate producer, opens on October 21, 2011 in theaters. Joy Road is the 2010 winner for Best Narrative for the Hampton Film Festival and the Martha's Vineyard Film Festival (joyroadmovie.com). Joy Road was written and directed

by Harry Davis and stars Sherwin David “Wood” Harris, Jaime Hector, N'Bushe Wright and Roger Guenveur Smith.

Kash Goins is a Delaware resident, raised in South Philly and born the youngest of five boys. He has always had a penchant for acting and producing plays, evidenced by the improv skits and impromptu plays he "produced" on the streets of Point Breeze and Moore, with family and friends, as a grade school student. He didn't pursue his first formal acting experience until he was a junior at Lincoln University.

Shortly after graduation, he was fortunate to gain work as a member of the Freedom Repertory Theatre, where he was directed by mentor, Walter Dallas, in Sparkle: The Musical, Lazarus, Unstoned, and The Bluest Eye. In 2008, Kash founded GoKash Productions and has mounted two original self-written plays; the 2009 NYC Downtown Urban Theatre Festival Best Play winner, VI Degrees, and the hilarious comedy, Man, I Shoulda’ Put A Ring On It!. Goins has just completed his adaptation of VI Degrees to a short film, and the product is sure to gain national exposure for the GoKash Productions movement.

Not one to take a break, early 2010 was an active time for Kash, starting with the director / actor / co-producer role in Aliya Tene's hilarious Tryna Get to Heaven on 15 Cents. In addition, he had his debut in March, at the Wilmington Drama League, in the role of “Gabriel” in August Wilson's Fences. The remainder of the spring will include a revisit to the Downtown Urban Theatre Festival with his just -completed sequel to VI Degrees, titled VII Deadly Sins, followed by the Philadelphia premiere of Man, I Shoulda Put A Ring On It!; as well as another honored directorial endeavor with Cheril Clarke and her critically-acclaimed stage play Intimate Chaos. In the late summer, Kash will mount a stage adaptation of author’s, April Walker’s, newlyreleased novel "More Than One Way To Skin A Dog". The stageplay will be titled Catch A Dog, Skin A Dog... How Men Cheat!.

There is so much more to come and, as is apparent in his well-known battle cry, "Let's Get It!", it doesn't appear that the halting of this powerful entertainment movement is in the immediate future.

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Fred Thomas Jr. is an alumnus of Lincoln University, where he received his Bachelors of Journalism. He then attended Temple University receiving his Masters of Film and Media Arts with concentrations in Writing, Directing and Cinematography.

Fred’s credits and achievements include being a founder of Temple University’s Black Media Collective, as well as producing several stage shows with Donald Welch Productions; The Divorce and the tremendously successful, The Bachelorette Party, which was also co-produced with actor Will Smith.

It was in Philadelphia that Thomas collaborated with friend and director, Charles Stone III (Drumline, Mr. 3000), on Stone's short film True. Stone’s film featured himself and friends Scott Brooks and Paul Williams, together, starring as “The Whassup Guys”, which would go on to become one of the most successful and memorable ad campaigns for Budweiser, spawning a total of seventeen Budweiser commercials. That campaign helped the group garner appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Hollywood Squares, and an ABC Disney primetime special.

To date, Thomas has directed fourteen projects; including the award -winning short, Kai, as well as several music videos. He received a write-up in The Hollywood Reporter regarding his romantic comedy screenplay, Vah Humbug!. He currently has three online comedy web series that he was written, produced and directed, entitled Illtown215, Casting Blues and After The One Night Stand?. He is gearing up to film his theatrical run of his original stage play, 12’ x 9’, a production in which he also stars, and has just completed starring in and producing the feature The Bachelor Party, with Don B. Welch, for Image Entertainment. Thomas is currently working on the production team of Will Smith’s Men In Black 3.

Kellie Griffin is a Howard University graduate, holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Master of Social Work. Griffin once worked for the Department of Child and Family Services and as the director of a homeless shelter; both located in Washington, D.C. After a few short years, she decided to make a drastic career change and enter the world of entertainment.

Griffin stepped out on faith; she packed her belongings and drove to Los Angeles. Within eight months, she landed a job as a receptionist on the hit sitcom, The Parkers. From there, Griffin worked her way up to becoming a writers’ assistant. During the show’s fifth, and final, season, she was granted an opportunity to write one of the three-part episodes for the series finale.

After The Parkers ended, Griffin worked in a variety of entry-level positions, from production assistant to script coordinator, on several television pilots and shows. She worked as a production coordinator and unit production manager on several feature films, as well as produced a few stage plays, including a regional production of The Vagina Monologues, written by Eve Ensler, which also marked her directorial debut. Between her paid jobs, Griffin continued to hone her craft by writing, producing and directing her own short films, winning several awards at various film festivals.

Griffin’s pivotal career break came from a referral by Ralph Farquhar (Moesha and The Proud Family) to write a spec script for Tyler Perry (Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Why Did I Get Married?) and Reuben Cannon (Woman Thou Art Loosed and Down in the Delta), who were producing a new television sitcom and looking for fresh, new writers. Impressed by Griffin’s script, the duo offered her the position of head writer for the runaway hit, House of Payne, where she was able to personally handpick her own writing team and manage them as they wrote a mind-blowing 100+ episodes in less than a year.

Griffin has since created, and sold, two half-hour comedy pilots: Boys Will Be Boys to Gallery Road Productions, LLC and Reed Between the Lines to BET Networks, Inc.

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JOY ROAD

By Manuel McDonnell Smith “Why are so many black people going to jail, and why aren’t the black bourgeois doing anything about it?” confronts the poster for the recently released drama “Joy Road” starring actors Wood Harris (The Wire) and N’Bushe Wright (New York Undercover). The film, which debuted in a select seven-city release across the nation attempted to grab audiences with an persistent issue that affects the African American Community at large, but if that’s all you got from the film, Writer/Producer Harry Davis says, you missed the whole point.

The gritty feature, which was based in, and filmed entirely in Detroit (hence the name Joy Road, a notorious section of the city’s ghetto) is based around the story of Attorney Tony Smalls, who has been able to escape the streets, and gain a prominent place in the city’s middle class. The future is bright for Smalls, until the boyfriend of his younger sister is arrested for murder and he’s forced by family bond to defend a young gangster not only on a murder charge he claims he is innocent

nation from splinters?”

That’s a complex answer to tackle in just 88 minutes, the running time of the feature, which most moviegoers will notice was shot using real film, and not digital equipment (no slight against technology explains Davis, he just says nothing can replicate ‘the feeling of being there’ like film). So instead of tackling an answer, it confronts you with more questions. What about today’s private prison system, where corporations operate prisons for profit? How far might they go to make their prison business a success? What about the state of our communities?

Cities across the nation now look like Detroit, where the upper middle class is black, the working class is black, and the street thugs are also black. For many of the issues that confront our neighborhoods, what happens when there's no one else to blame but us?

It’s those issues and more, which really inspire the setting, meaning, and purpose of “Joy Road”, not only for Davis, but for much of the cast and crew surrounding the film, many of whom stopped to share with me personal stories of their own transformation of just being involved in the project, including Yvette Gainer, an actress with 8 film credits to date, who was inspired not only to seek a role with the production, but actually joined the crew as a Public Relations Coordinator for the movie, “In order for us to have opportunities to flourish, we’ve got to look beyond just the roles, and be involved in creating an industry”, she explained to me in an pre-interview.

of, but against unknown enemies in the Criminal Justice System designed to “keep our people in prison”, says Davis.

‘Joy Road’ opens with a trailer, explaining the story is based “on a true story”, but in his Urban Suburban Interview, Davis explained that the story is more than just about one person. “To protect the innocent and the guilty”, he declines to reveal the true identities of the lives that that the story gleams from, but he adds that ‘Joy Road’ is a story that all African American Families face in the current time. “What happens when a community is no longer a community?” Because of uneven education choices, the projects, prisons, and other factors, “our families have been split apart, and how do we continue to build a 40 urban suburban magazine.com Philadelphia

“Joy Road” is now debuting across Comcast and Time Warner ondemand, and was available on DVD shelves nationwide, including those of Wal-Mart over the holiday season. When asked about the financial revenues for the seven-city, weeklong theater run and if it was successful, Davis reminded me again to look at the whole point. “We’re looking at creating a model for this industry, just like Tyler Perry. As a community, to remain relevant in Hollywood, we not only have to create, but produce, finance, distribute, and market the films that matter to us most”. While many would agree with the concept, Davis says he is in touch with the economic realities of filmmaking and says, “In the end, this is a profitable venture”. He was not specific with exact figures, but says a sequel is already in the works, with some of the cast already committed to return. For a plot, he says to expect “Jason Bourne meets Joy Road”. The Bourne Conspiracy series was also a series of cliffhangers, but as Davis and crew have shown us with their first production, films filled with suspense are the ones that keep us coming back.

Lots of people say they are from Philly, but when you sit down to talk to them, they just aren’t. Cherry Hill, New Jersey is no more Philly than Bear, Delaware or King of Prussia. “It’s close, but no cigar”. Kellie Griffin is the real deal. Born and raised in Wynnefield, Kellie attended Samuel Gompers Elementary School before heading to B.W.A.P. and graduating from Archbishop John Carroll in Radnor.

Attending these schools, growing up in the city, and experiencing all it has to offer is the foundation of who Kellie Griffin is today. With many of the same friends from high school, family still in the same ‘hood, and childhood experiences that continue to bring the same roaring laughter it did 20 years ago, Kellie’s base is strong and unwavering. She is surrounded by an unfailing support system of people who were not at all concerned about her success when she decided to walk away from her career of running a homeless shelter in Washington, DC and moving to Los Angeles.

In typical “Philly Girl” fashion, Kellie accepted a receptionist position, which many would have assumed was “beneath her”, while having a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Social Work from prestigious Howard University; but, a “Philly Girl” knows how to get what she wants. Kellie knew that position would be short-lived and a good way to get her extremely

talented and determined foot in the door. By the end of the fifth season of The Parkers, Kellie was signed on to write one of the three-part series finale episodes!

Nothing but good things followed. Kellie’s talent caught the eye of some of Hollywood’s heaviest hitters, including; Rueben Cannon, Ralph Farquhar and, of course, Tyler Perry. By no accident she found herself hand selecting her writing staff for House of Payne, as the head writer, and leading her staff to an unprecedented 100 episodes in just under a year!

Various film projects, plays and, ultimately, a directorial debut followed.

If you were to ask Kellie about her inspiration for Reed Between The Line— starring Tracee Ellis Ross and MalcolmJamal Warner— she would, very humbly, tell you, “...there wasn’t any real inspiration other than I needed a job! I heard BET was looking for a certain concept surrounding a black female psychologist and I thought, ‘I can DO this!’” And she has! Reed Between the Lines debuted with over 3 million viewers!

Even with all of her success, Kellie is not one to let grass grow under her feet. She is currently working on a new project that will show her comedic range, as it is far from the black family sitcom, and more closely mirrors Two and a Half Men. With characters named after her family and friends, and insight pulled from her personal experiences in psychology— and life in general— any show will certainly remain current, funny, and a true reflection of the power of a “Philly Girl”!

Kellie is managed by Elecciri Birnbaum Entertainment: 310 502-7070

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Photography by Greg Tavares

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The NEW and Changing

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Faces of Unionism in Philadelphia

What is SAG and why you should join?

Unions Are Just As American As Apple Pie… And Guess What else is American…

Curry chicken, eggplant parm, shrimp fried rice, fish and grits and just about any other ethnic dish you can name. Hungry? Don’t worry this article is not about food but, more importantly, about the fact that the United States of America is a melting pot of mixed ethnicities that all share a common thread called “work”. Do some labor harder than others? Yes, but for those workers covered under a union contract, their benefits, protections and rights are no greater or smaller than their fellow union member doing the same job. This means that when it’s all said and done, you know what not to expect.

conditions that entice privatization and corporations to diminish the voice of the laborer for the benefit of the company (union busting). Unions were created as a direct result of the exploitation of workers and now there is an enormous push to return to these dark ages across all industries-- sports, entertainment, retail, finance, education-- you name it. With “right-to-work” legislation in some states and currently the subject of discussion amongst legislators in others, the movement to abolish unions is threatening the American worker.

contact your local officials, union leaders and politicians and ask them with expectation, ”What can I do to help secure Union Rights for workers?”

In Solidarity, John Wooten, SAG/AFTRA SAG Philadelphia Branch President

In 2012, all workers across the nation must be conscious of sensitivity of this issue knowing that just as Ohio stood up against SB 5, we, as a nation, can fight together against the current shift to destroy unions in upcoming legislation and laws. If we stand against “sweat shops” and “slave wages” our voices can, and will be, heard collectively. The time is now to focus our efforts against “right-to-work” and any other idea devised to take the existing voices and power away from the worker and put it into the hands of the employer. I urge you to

As a proud member of two unions (SAG and AFTRA), I do not expect to be taken advantage of for my services rendered. I do not expect to be valued less than my co-worker. I do not expect to stand alone in bargaining a contract. I do not expect to be paid anything less than a minimum agreement; nor do I expect to be paid late.

If in the unfortunate event that I am faced with any of these “un-expectations”, I gladly expect my union to fight for me on my behalf with full confidence.

It is my view that at its very core, the ideology of collective bargaining exists for the protection of not only “the worker” but his/ her “co-worker “as members of a team.

These protections are against unfair working conditions, unfair wages, and the silencing of one’s right, as an American, to have a voice speaking against such [inequities] in organizing. It comes as no surprise that the state of our current economy sets

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Sirius Radio

Glenda "The Good Witch"

Darnell

By Faith Fox If you haven’t seen Glenda "The Good Witch" Darnell, you have most certainly heard her. As co-host of The Sheryl Underwood Show on Foxxhole Radio, presented by Jamie Foxx (Sirius XM 98), Glenda’s sexy voice guides listeners through a host of hot topics every Tuesday night with her own signature style of “keeping it real” and down-to-earth humor. No subject is off limits.

Conversations often include a mixture of everyday life issues including politics, music and entertainment, with a dash of sex and relationships to keep it all well-balanced, exciting, and full of twists and turns.

As a former resident of Israel and the Philippines, while supporting her husband’s basketball career, Glenda was a go-getter basketball wife before it was popular to be so.

She travelled the world working runways and magazines worldwide as a model before settling down in Los Angeles to more actively pursue her entertainment dreams. Things happen quickly for beautiful people in “LA-LA Land”. An original cast member with Chelsea Handler on Oxygen Network’s Girls Behaving Badly, this sexy and funny girl has also guest starred on countless television shows and was featured in the exciting, action-packed independent film, Steele, where she received a best supporting actress nomination from Action On Film for 46 urban suburban magazine.com Philadelphia

her role as "Alex", a ruthless, but sexy, underground crime boss!

Now a divorced mother of one, she prides herself on being a supportive “basketball mom” to her awesome 13-year-old son who she has no problem keeping in check —despite his being 6’2” tall! Glenda “The Good Witch” is a funny, gorgeous, straight shooter who pulls no punches and always leaves listeners wanting more. Catch her weekly on Tuesdays nights at seven o’clock PST and at ten o’clock EST. How many people do you know who have danced along the streets of

Carnival in Rio de Janiero and still made it home in time to do her mommy thang? No doubt— she is someone who has truly seen it all and we will, undoubtedly, see more of her in the years to come. For more information, or to book this phenomenal woman, visit her website at: www.SimplyGlenda.com ————————————————————————— ———— The Sheryl Underwood ShowTuesdays 10 pm ET Rebroadcasts Fridays 2am ET and Sundays 1 amSheryl Underwood, a God-fearing, sexually progressive, staunch Republican who's still a fun-loving Zeta Phi Beta Sorority girl at heart, brings a mix of political satire, comedy and music to the Foxxhole

Relationship keep the spark in the relationship, in and outside of the bedroom, which can sometimes become more of a chore than pleasure.

Everyone wants to fall in love, but does in one really want to put in the effort to stay in love? Love is not a phase, love is life. When you accept love into your heart you’re accepting love into your life, which means you have to be prepared to take on the responsibilities of love. Love is being there when your partner needs you in the worst of time, not the best of times. Love is accepting your partner even when they change physically. Love is learning to accept your partner for their flaws and loving them the most when they deserve it the least.

If you are willing to take on these complexities of love then being and love may be as exciting as falling in love for you!

I’m just saying.

C Double R!

It’s More Exciting Falling in Love Than Being in Love We all know how it is when you meet that special person, you can’t wait to call them, to see them, to touch them, to make love to them, just the mere mention of their name drives you insane. Even when he or she forgets to call when they said they would you don’t care, you’re just glad that they finally did call. Or when they cancel your date at the last minute, it’s all good because you know they will make it up to you next week. These are the things that we tolerate, or overlook when we are falling in love.

Once we are actually in love things are a little different.

Falling in love is always a pleasure in the process, being in love is always work in progress. Once you’re in love you’re less tolerant of the excuses, the missed calls and the cancelled dates. Being in love is more about making sacrifices and less about the euphoric feelings you had when you were falling in love. Being in love is about commitment.

Some may say it is easy to fall in love, but it’s much harder to stay in love. Once the novelty of the relationship wears off reality starts to kick in. Staying in love is hard work because you constantly have to think of new ways to 47 urban suburban magazine.com Philadelphia

In my Lifetime‌ Tanya Murphy Dodd Art and Photography by Tanya Murphy Dodd

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Multimedia fine artist, Tanya Murphy Dodd, is a Philadelphia native born of Southern American roots. African American culture, United States history, and feminism are important themes in her life; these subjects are frequently expressed through her artwork. She began her art career as a painter; however, she later immersed herself in fine art photography and printmaking. She received her BFA degree in Photography from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and has attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts to pursue her love of painting.

Tanya’s creative thought process is duplicitous, but the camera is her sketchbook. She was influenced by socially conscious portraiture and environmental documentary photographers such as Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange and Gordon Parks of the Farm Security Administration (FSA) era.

Her vast photography techniques utilize traditional film, alternative processes, contemporary digital technologies and making handmade box cameras; however, her extensive training as a painter became a distinct asset for her imagery as she developed her own unique “footprint” through photo-based collage and mixed-media paintings.

A collagraphy process evolved in Tanya’s studio while layering, gluing and painting the simplified relief carvings of aged family photographs onto paper, canvas and other substrates. Believable, tangible, historical characters seemingly emerged from within Tanya’s landscape photography.

The finished artwork prompts viewers to wonder what they are seeing. Is it a photograph, a drawing, or a painting? Is the image on paper, carved on wood or etched in copper?

The presence of hauntingly peaceful characters in the dream-like lighting, mood and environment is felt. Tanya calls upon viewers to look closely into her layering process as a way of discerning subtle information. Her work symbolizes a higher message about facing challenges, fact-finding, research and discovery. In particular, Tanya looks for personal understanding of race, politics and everyday life in the African American culture.

Although influenced by African American stories, Tanya’s artwork is universal in its references to strength, struggle and perseverance. Her figures offer humanistic, nonspecific, abstract identity. Tanya’s spiritual voice and social influence is felt in every painting. It is primarily expressed through warm, earthy sepia tones, undulating textures, and shapes and shadows that imply that there is more than meets the eye. Her images embark upon a past and a present day; a time-imagined circumstance that appears to expose her deliberately mystical, visually stimulating and spiritually concrete dreams.

Her work captured the attention of the African American Museum of Philadelphia and soon thereafter, she opened her first major solo exhibit, Shadows of a Journey, in 2008.

She received a great response from all audiences. The debut exhibit traveled across the United States to various museums, universities and art galleries for an additional two years, and spawned a self-published book and DVD documentary of the same title. In 2010, Tanya won a revered residency at the Brandywine Workshop in Philadelphia based on her process of creating historical influenced artwork. Using the research completed at the Charles Block-

son Museum at Temple University, she was inspired to create artwork honoring service men of color during the United States Civil War. Tanya’s residency award placed her among an esteemed list of artists such as Benny Andrews, John Biggers, and David Driskell; all who have produced an original print for the same organization.

In addition to being an artist, Tanya has served her art community as an art teacher, curator, art gallery director, advisor and mentor for many artists. In 2009, she co-founded Salon Joose, an artist alliance which encourages professional self-empowerment. The directing role that she plays at her salon event is filled with passion and mission to keep art and artists thriving. Her studio/gallery space is located in Philadelphia’s Center City, Northern Liberties district. Her artworks are widely exhibited and collected publicly and privately.

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“Sit up a little straighter… Turn your head slightly to the right… No, a little more to the left… Now, chin up just a bit… Ok, hold it right there…just like that!” “Very good!” These are directions that I often received from my dad, Willie Asbury, as I posed for his photography practice shots. My mom, sisters, niece and I spent countless hours changing positions and clothes so that my father could get his shots picture-perfect.

As a member of Zion Baptist Church, he captured many photos of the civil rights leaders who visited the church. His extensive portfolio

Photography was one of the passions that my father explored during his seventy-three years. He worked as a postal clerk for forty-one years before retiring in 2000; and during the mid-to-late 1960’s he owned and operated A’s Record Shop in North Philadelphia. In 2006, at the of age seventy, he launched A’s Read, selling t-shirts designed with positive wording that encouraged people to read.

In addition to all of that, in the early 1970’s, after closing his record shop, he became an established photographer. As an active participant of the Civil Rights Movement, his subjects included many of the local and national civil rights leaders of the day. Alongside the late Cecil B. Moore and Reverend Leon H. Sullivan, he was a tireless advocate for equal opportunity and justice, participating in numerous marches and demonstrations throughout the years. He received a trophy from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in recognition of his activism. During a fundraiser sponsored by the NAACP, he met Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He also met, and shook hands with, Malcolm X at the Blue Horizon a month before Malcolm was assassinated.

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includes pictures of Andrew Young, Coretta Scott King, Benjamin Hooks, Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., Cecil B. Moore and Father Paul Washington— just to name a few. He also documented the rebuilding of Zion Baptist Church after the old one burned down in 1970.

He not only photographed the public figures of the day, but also captured the memories and moments of many weddings, family portraits, infant portraits and even swimsuit models. One of his swimsuit models was featured as a Jet Magazine centerfold in 1973.

My dad was raised by his mother, Ella McCray Asbury, whom he adored and admired. He always talked about how she studied so hard to become a nurse and that one of his fondest memories was how he would close her book when she fell asleep while studying.

He was a voracious reader, a trait that I’m proud to say that I’ve inherited; and he enjoyed endless discussions with his family and friends about politics, world affairs, music, television and current events. My dad could talk with anyone about any subject and was a regular contributor to conversations on the radio station WURD where he was known as “Bill from Mt. Airy”. He prided himself on learning a new word everyday. He was a firm believer in reading and getting an education. He believed that one should never stop learning and should always try to better oneself. He always took time out to stress the importance of reading and knowing one’s history —

especially to the young males he encountered.

We always ate together as a family and, from the time we were children until a few days before day he died, we would always discuss current events and got “mini-quizzed” on what was taking place at home and abroad. As a child, I didn’t understand the importance of those talks because I would’ve rather been eating; but as I got older, I realized the magnitude of what he did and I will appreciate it forever. I have his love for history and reading. My sister, Brenda, has his love of sports. My youngest sister, Cynthia, has a mixture of the two; and my niece, Khalilah, has followed in her greatgrandmother’s path in the health field. My father was married to my mother, Bobbie, for forty-eight years.

My father was born in Sumter, South Carolina, moved to Philadelphia in 1952, and was a graduate of West Philadelphia High School. In 1955, he joined the United States Army. A highlight of his military service was climbing Mt. Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan. He enjoyed traveling with my mom and sister and he was able to attend the Inauguration of President Barack Obama. He was a die-hard Eagles fan and a season ticket holder for over forty years; of those forty years, he missed only three games!

My dad lived life to the fullest and encouraged others to do the same. He was an inspiration to everyone who came in contact with him. He passed away in April of 2009, but left behind a legacy of learning and the challenge to move forward in knowledge.

Holding Dad’s Hand

by Freda Asbury As we walked in silence Headed towards the unknown I held my father’s hand For what would turn out to be His last steps on his own

As a little girl I held my father’s hand as He helped me to take my first steps At the parades that he took us to see For as long as I can remember My father was there for me

Holding my hand, teaching me how to take a stand For what I believe and for the goals That I desired to achieve He was there for me even when he didn’t quite understand What I was doing but he said he was proud of me And he kept holding my hand

I have lots of loving memories of my dad Photo credits: Photos appear courtesy of the Willie Asbury Collection

Requiem is a reoccurring column dedicated to telling the story of unique and special people that impacted the lives of their community . The column was created with the purpose of sharing and rekindling fond memories of our love ones. Enjoy and cherish the memory.

How he was always there for me A kind, loving and caring family man It was an honor and blessing to be there for him In his time of need, as he took his last stand He could lean on me and I could be there for him And he could once again hold my hand

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Retirement

Don’t rely on others for your retirement

By Brian Madalion State FarmÂŽ agent Recent debates about Social Security and the increasing number of employers reducing or eliminating employee pensions have underscored the need for a sound retirement plan. Gone are the days when employees were guaranteed a percentage of their salaries once they leave a company. While Social Security may or may not change, it was never intended to be the sole source of retirement income.

Retirement planning is something everyone needs regardless of their existing situations. If the current financial debates tell us anything it’s this: the only funding you can count on is that which you do yourself.

Some of the options you have are individual retirement accounts (IRAs) or an employer-sponsored plan such as a 401(k). Contributions you make to a 401(k) can reduce your federal income tax burden and the contribution limits are higher than those of an IRA. Plans are available for any size of business, be it a large corporation or a small mom and pop operation.

Contributions to traditional IRAs may be income-tax deductible. While Roth IRA contributions are not deductible qualified distributions are received free from federal income taxes. An IRA is something you can set up with the help of a financial professional. There are a number of options available when choosing how you want to fund your IRA. No one can be sure what the future holds in store. Making preparations for a number of possibilities can begin with careful planning. You can start by contacting a financial professional to discuss your goals and how to reach them.

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Holiday List

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Design Style

The holidays have come and passed, the New Year has begun and resolutions are written in a diary or on the refrigerator. Resolutions normally come and go, but we strive to make our lives better each and every day. Why not start with the home?

Making minor changes in the home can improve ones physical, emotional and mental well- being. It does not take a major kitchen and bathroom renovation, but only small or moderate changes.

Get Rid of the Old and Bring in the New!

about repositioning your furniture, contact an interior designer for a brief consultation service.

Vision exactly what you want to remove from your life and what you want to add in your environment.

Do you have items and accessories that are old and outdated?

Give them away if they serve no purpose; especially if they cause bad memories. Any item in your house which reminds you of negative events blocks positive events from happening in your life.

What do you want this year? Greater focus on personal/ professional goals and finances? Get rid of any clutter in the home. Whatever you do not need, give it away, sell it on eBay or donate it. How is your furniture placed in your rooms? Are your walkway paths clear? Or do you have to zig zag, maneuver and twist yourself around a sofa, chair or table just to move from one area to another? Reposition your furniture so your walkways are clear. This allows the energy of your house to circulate and removes negative blockings from your space. If you are unsure

Make sure there is adequate lighting in each of your rooms. There should be no space in your residence which is too dark. Take advantage of natural sunlight from the windows during the day and in the afternoon. Good light, especially natural sunlight, enhances one’s mood. Air quality in the room should be important. Invest in a good air purifier unit if you have allergies, children and pets. This will minimize illnesses.

Do you want to entertain more friends at home? Look at the col-

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ors on your walls. Are the walls in your living room, dining room and kitchen cold and drab? Consider painting the walls with warmer colors such as soft yellows, warm beiges and taupes, tangerines, reds and browns. These are stimulating, inviting, action, and conversation colors. You can also use certain shades of green. Again, it is best to consult an interior designer, who is a color expert, so the selections work perfectly with your furniture, lighting, artwork and accessories. Have multipurpose furniture as storage/seating ottomans. If you need new furniture, and your space permits, purchase a sectional seating unit. These options also provide additional seating for guests.

Choose works of art and accessories that are personal; that make you happy and make a statement.

Use them as conversation pieces.

Obtaining good artwork does not have to be expensive. Order framed artwork from internet

stores or have a struggling, fine artist college student create a oneof-a-kind canvas for your space.

Is It Love That You Seek Or Do You Want To Spice Up Your Current Love Life? Follow the first command to eliminate clutter and make sure your walkways are clear and easy to pass. For the singles, if seeking to attract a woman, or man, make sure the space is comfortable; the sofa should not be too fluffy or too deep, but cozy enough to snuggle. Seating fabric color can be neutral (beige, grey, brown or black), but add accent pillows with reds, oranges, burgundies. These are warm, romantic and stimulating colors. Include a faux fur throw on the sofa during fall and winter months. Add a few red vases in the dining room and in the bedroom. Make sure the room lighting is not too bright, but not very dark. Add dimmer switches in the living room and in the bedroom.

Designing on a Dollar:

Last but not least, here are some ways you can change your environment “on the cheap”: 1. If your sofa and chairs are in good condition, consider purchasing quality upholstery fabric and having the items re-upholstered. You’ll be helping the environment by not throwing out a good product while giving a local upholstery company work….while receiving a totally new look with a new, beautiful fabric. Try to select fabric made of cotton, cotton velvets and wools. These are natural fibers which allow the seating to breathe. Silk fabric is another option, but I would only use this on seating which will not have a lot of use! Good silk is expensive.

Stained silk is; difficult to clean. Microfibers are practical; most are made of synthetic material, but they are very durable for moderate to high residential use and can be treated with stainresistant solutions.

2. If your good quality tables, cabinets and china closets are natural/real wood, give them a new look by stripping the wood and changing the stain or by painting the table a totally different color. Paint existing handles a different color or purchase new, funky handles from a local home improvement store.

3. Try purchasing furniture and accessories from reputable consignment shops. Make sure the pieces are of good quality, heavy and sturdy. Do not worry if the style appears to be out of date. New paint and hardware creates a unique look for any piece.

4. Purchase good quality drapes from stores such as Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware; or invest in a good sewing machine, take sewing lessons and make your own custom drapes and panels. This goes for pillows, throws and shams, too.

I hope these tips will bring a sense of happiness and well-being into your home. If you have further questions or seek a consultation, please contact Glynis Tart of Verden Interior Design Studio at 215-360-6722.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Schmidt, Drajao, Jessica Begley, Jamika Richardson & George Blackmon

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Nail Lounge

The Nail Lounge

money and finance, career and family, and more. Classes are $5.00 per person and free for all NL Crew Members.

– It’s A Total Lounge Experience

By Jennifer Darby

Have you ever wanted to own your own business? Come to our Power Hour Empowerment Workshop Series for winter 2012 where the topics covered will be:

It’s winter time and spring will be here before you know it.

What many people don’t realize is that the seasons actually coincide with our temperament and personal sense of self.

Winter is a time for old things to pass away and the growth of all things new and rejuvenated. The Nail Lounge is the premiere place for the passing away of old nail salon experiences and for the adoption of our pioneering and state-of-the-art trends as the new salon experience. The Nail Lounge is not just your average nail salon. We have coined it as “A Total Lounge Experience” because we are “painting with a purpose”.

January – Starting and setting up your own business, LLC, or non-profit

Our Services:

February – Getting funding and seed money for your business March – Creating the brand and marketing strategy for your business

Jennifer’s Moment: “There’s nothing more beautiful than knowing that it’s your smile, your warmth and your glow which makes merry the day of another”.

Enjoy our express services when you are on-the-go or on a limited time schedule and budget. Relax and unwind in our leather massage chairs and whirlpool spas as you are treated to complimentary wine and spirits. We offer mobile spa serJennifer Darby vices for private parties, events and special occasions.

Beauty from the Inside Out: It is important to us that we don’t service our clientele, but serve them… not just in making them pretty through spa services, but by enhancing their beauty from the inside out with our total lounge experience initiatives and entertainment. We believe that every woman deserves to radiate and that beauty is not made, but developed, nurtured and fostered. Through our events, we have formed a collection of clientele that has grown into a “sister girl” group of epic proportions.

Events: We offer private lounge “shut-downs” for our membership clients, as well as monthly events including, but not limited to, the NL Book Club, NL Karaoke, NL Sports Parties, NL Speed Dating, NL Pole Dancing, NL Chats & Chews and the NL Power Hour Empowerment Workshop Series. We host all of our NL-themed events on Fridays and Saturdays with our private lounge “shut-down” hosted events available seven days a week.

The Nail Lounge Crew: We tailor private, adult-themed ladies events, princess parties and spa services. Join our membership circle and receive complimentary services, according to your purchase package, and free admission to all events.

The Power Hour Empowerment Workshop Series: The Power Hour Empowerment Workshop Series is a monthly initiative to empower women to pursue their life’s purpose and dreams. The workshops not only focus on health and wellness, but also on holistic medicine, entrepreneurship, 60 urban suburban magazine.com Philadelphia

Intimacy There are certain sex equations that never fail; Little Penis = Extended Foreplay + Amazing Oral (almost every time). It just is what it is. But how long is that going to be enough?

I have often wondered, “Is it a subconscious reality for the man with a smaller penis to BE nice BECAUSE he has no penis? Or is it a conscious choice?” At what point in his sexual travels does he realize he MUST master cunnilingus? When does it become apparent to him that he needs to be a good listener, an excellent communicator and get to know the “va-jay-jay” better than his more ample and, therefore, more desirable counterparts?

Larger Penis, Please!

By Ava Black Does size really matter? Some would say “no”, but they would be lying. Size DOES matter in just about everything.

As a society, overall, we all want everything bigger–SUPERsized! Wouldn’t it be great if it was that easy to get the perfect male sex organ?

Imagine meeting someone, getting to know him, and really liking him. The customary and acceptable number of dates has been fulfilled, and as you draw nearer to “the big reveal”, you are filled with anticipation, excitement and angst.

Your prayers are filled with requests of big rewards. I mean, “...he’s almost perfect in every other way so please, Please, PLEASE let his manhood be representative of his manhood!”

You’re in the moment. There is no lack of passion. You’re ravenous for each other. Tops are off. Your hands slide down his six -pack and you slowly unzip his jeans. Your hand is stretched for the full palm grab and as you make the connection, your chest deflates. WHERE is it? You force your hand from patting around in there like you lost something important. Inside you’re crying. Passion has left the room, the moment and the relationship. Now would be a good time to place an order… “Larger penis, please!”

That night continues like many others before it / him. He is completely unaware of the monumental shift he just created in your world. You can’t (and don’t want to) deal with it right now – or EVER – so you just continue and go with the very slow and tear-jerking flow. He thinks you are moved to tears by emotion; he is not completely wrong. The highlight? You KNOW “the oral” will, likely, be life changing. It HAS to be… right?

Regardless of the formula, there isn’t a woman alive who hasn’t convinced herself, at some point in her life, that she can deal with it. Myself included. We ask ourselves, “How important IS sex anyway?” In the LONG RUN, isn’t it all about compatibility and companionship? Those self-inflicted mind games might work for a minute, but unless you’re willing to settle for toys and let go of hope, his penis will actually get bigger; you will never be able to sustain it. Foreplay is no substitute for a nice finish. Unless you’re a “closet lesbian”, you’re gonna need “the real deal penis” at the end of every session… and I’m guessing a strap- on for your man is not an option.

Is it fair that most often: Asshole = Huge Penis + Game Player? No. But, again, I have to ask myself, “Is it a subconscious reality for the man with the larger penis to be an ass BECAUSE he has what every woman wants and cannot resist?” Why else would a woman go back, time and time again, to the same jerk of a man who has no idea what it means to BE a spouse or a keeper of hearts? Just like a man can be whipped…Oh, how we women can succumb to the dick.

We want to believe that the nice guy can satisfy us in other ways; after all, orgasms are nice and, of course, it’s the ultimate goal. Most women easily reach it via oral stimulation. It stands to reason that if this is a guaranteed way to orgasm, what difference does the size of his penis matter when he is a “cunnilingus master”?

The only thing a woman wants more than a good oral orgasm is a nice, fat dick to follow it up. Sadly, at some point, we will be forced to settle for what he has, or to look outside of the relationship for sexual satisfaction.

While these may not be the most politically correct, or morally acceptable resolutions, they are options, none the less. And since there’s just no way to ever place your own customized order...

61 urban suburban magazine.com Philadelphia

Urban Suburban Styling│ ENTERTAINMENT

Q & A with Artist and Filmmaker Evan Houston.

I recently had a chance to ask Evan a few questions. Interview by Anthony “AJ” Johnson AJ: Tell us about A Love Supreme. What’s it about? Why should we go see it?

EH:“A Love Supreme” was my thesis film at the FSU Film School. It’s about a character named Saul, a star basketball player in high school who got involved with the wrong crowd and wound up making a bad decision and going to prison. After more than a decade behind bars, Saul is released and wants to connect with his daughter, Abigail, for the first time. The situation becomes complicated when Saul learns Abigail knows nothing about him; in the interim Abigail’s mother married another man, who Abigail believes is her true father. Saul must decide whether he will reveal who he is to Abigail or remain a silent observer of the life she has grown up with.

With this film I wanted to explore the boundaries of love. The definition of “true love” is something that has always fascinated me. If you truly love someone, do you pursue him or her to the ends of the earth, no matter what? Or, are you happy as long as long as your loved one is happy, even if that means they aren’t necessarily a part of your life?

This film would be nowhere without the actors in it. Courtney Powell, Symiaha Clinton and Patricia Joseph brought it. If there is one reason for people to see the film, it should be for the actors incredible work in bringing these characters and ideas to life.

AJ: What would be your dream job? Besides directing of course.

EH: I identify myself as a writer first. I’ve always wanted to tell stories, no matter what the medium. Film just happens to be my favorite. If I weren’t writing or making films, I would probably try and write a novel. Or work on a farm and be a hermit.

AJ: What are you currently working on? Can we expect something to come out soon?

EH: I recently moved to Los Angeles and am working on two featurelength screenplays. I’m also planning on writing and making another short film soon.

AJ: Walk us through a day in Evan Houston shoes.

EH: I would love to say that I write everyday, but the truth is I am not a very disciplined writer. But I am working on it. I do, however, attempt to create every single day. Whether it is a doodle, a drawing, a photo I’ve taken, or a poem I’ve written, exercising my creative ability is a must. I read a lot, watch a lot, and most importantly, listen a lot. As an artist, I think it’s important to be open to the world, so embrace all you can. Mix it all up, and write it all down.

AJ: Before you wanted to become a film director what did you want to be?

EH: The first thing I ever wanted to be was an artist. I drew little comic books and cartoon characters and told stories through my drawings. I remember being obsessed with movie monsters and drawing Frankenstein and dinosaurs and the xenomorphs from Alien and the creature from Predator. Eventually, I got a hold of my Mom and Dad’s camcorder and took the next step, shooting little movies with action figures as actors. One day I convinced my friends to replace my action figures. And I haven’t stopped since then.

AJ: Making movies sounds like the best job. Tell us some of the not-sofun aspects of being a film director?

62 urban suburban magazine.com Philadelphia

Love Supreme has been fortunate to part of the Texas Black Film Festival, Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival, New Orleans Film Festival, LA Short Fest and Philadelphia’s Urban Suburban Film Festival

EH: I think a lot of people don’t realize that filmmaking is a very physically and mentally exhausting task. Wear comfortable shoes, because you are on your feet all day, for twelve plus hours. Sometimes you’re in the scorching heat getting sunburned or in the frigid cold in the middle of the woods. You’ll get bit by ants, stung by bees, attacked by homeless vagrants. You’ll get caught in thunderstorms and flash floods. Sometimes you are waking up at 3am so you can get a shot during sunrise so the lighting is just right. You go home, shower, sleep for four hours, wake up and do it again. I love it. It’s an adventure.

AJ: If you could do a work with any director, who would it be?

EH: I think it would be too presumptuous to say that I could collaborate with the filmmakers I admire, but if I had to choose one to work with and learn from, it would be Ramin Bahrani. I love his work for its poetic honesty and realism. He finds a naturalism in actors that is unparalleled in cinema today. His techniques and reasons for utilizing them are very apt and intelligent. It would be an honor to have a conversation with him, let alone work alongside him.

AJ: What do you think of the film industry moving toward movies in animation in 3D? Do you think it takes away from the essence of films?

EH: I prefer films in 2D. I was in the camp that scoffed at 3D filmmaking and swore it off as a doomed gimmick. But now Spielberg, Scorsese and Coppola are endorsing 3D and making 3D movies. Ridley Scott says he won’t go back to 2D! And these guys are master storytellers, who have contributed some of the best films in cinematic history, so I have to at least hear them out and reconsider my position.

The best use of 3D in a film I’ve seen is Werner Herzog’s Cave of Forgotten Dreams. The way that Herzog uses depth in the visual plane to emphasize the shape and grandeur of ancient cave paintings is incredible.

The viewer is transported, not only to the caves, but thousands of years into the past, seeing into the dark as our ancestors would.

As Roger Ebert says, a film is not what it’s about, but how it’s about it. I think as long as 3D is viewed as an additional tool to enhance cinematic storytelling, it could be a positive thing for the art form.

63 urban suburban magazine.com Philadelphia

64 urban suburban magazine.com Philadelphia