Girlfriends Real People, Real Issues, Real Talk!
Talk
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Rubin "Hurricane" Carter (May 6, 1937 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; April 20, 2014)%
Benefits of Cuddling Legendary Bun B "#$%&$#'()*+,%-.,",/#('0".,#%123.!
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Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five very own "Rahiem " Page 6
Letter To Family And Friends Of Girlfriends Talk From Founder And Editor 窶的N Chief
Hey everyone! I hope all is well with everyone. Its been a busy month already as far as the magazine and personally. The city has been poplin 窶ｦ doing big things; we have had some amazing artists come through town. Bun B, Kirko Bangz, Que, Stalley and The Coke Boys to name a few. The Truth also had the honor of interviewing Hip Hop Legend Rahiem from Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five, pretty dope huh? Wait to until you read what he has to say about the music Industry and some of your favorite celebrities. The perks of media seem to be so glorious from the outside looking in, but trust and believe this gig takes some courage and a great amount of determination. Those who have been around for my journey, know I do not sugar coat anything. Just like every issue of Girlfriends Talk, It is blessed with articles from Life Coach Nikki Ransom and Heath Fitness extraordinaire Rokki Bonner. On another note we lost some greats this month. Most of us came up watching these people and television and grew to love them as celebrity figures. Enjoy this issue and I do appreciate you comments, feedbacks and suggestions. Sincerely
Could This Be You? By: Janice L. Carter
Page 10
Benefits Of Cuddling
Page 12
Beauty Tips On Preventing Hangnails Page 13 Did You Know? First Jazz Singer To Appear On Records Page 14 Stopping the Spirit of Murder窶ｦ By Frank Comer Page 16 2014 Prom Etiquette
Page 17
Ledgendary Bun B
Page 18
Gt's Melody Moment Que & The Coke Boys
Page 19
Life Coach Nikki Alfred Ransom
Page 23
Personal Fitness Navigators Rokki Bonner
Page 24
Astrology
Page 27
Janice L. Carter
"#$%%&'!
April 2014 Contributors Place Your AD Here !
Place Your Ad Here Place Your Ad Here
Personal Fitness Navigators 2803 Delmar Bexley, Ohio 43209 614-207-7170 MYROKKI.com!
Nikki Ransom-Alfred !Certified Master Sex Expert & Coach !CEO of Naughty Angels LLC !"Naughty Done the Right Way"
Please Follow Janice Carter Twitter@Cogirlfriendmag Facebook/Girlfriendstalkmagazine MySpace/Cogirlfriendmag Instagram / Girlfriends Talk LinkedIn/Girlfriendstalkmagazine Google/ Girlfriendstalkmagazine PrintExpress
www.NikkiRansom.com ! YouTube !Twitter
Frank Comer # 190531 P.O Box 5500 Chillicothe, Ohio 45601 Clayton Walker @girlfriendstalkmagazine @gmail.com
Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Happening In The C.O?!
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Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee… Grandmaster Flash & Furious Five
Rahiem The Truth: What started the whole movement as far as Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five? Rahiem: Well I came from a rival group, I was in another legendary group called Funky Four. I was kind of like the leader of the Funky Four. We battled Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Four on Webster Ave in the Bronx May 11, 1979. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Four won that battle, but they liked the way that i did my thing so much that two days after the battle Melle Mel and Mr.Ness (who later changed his name to Scorpio) came to my moms house and asked me if i would be interested in joint the their group? A good friend of mines the original DJ M &M (rest in peace) he did a jam at this community center Forest Houses in the Bronx. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Four were having some internal issues, so they weren't doing shows together at the time, pretty much like what’s happening now. So what happened as a result of that, the Legendary DJ Charlie Chase of the Cold Crush Brothers was the DJ for the Furious Four that night at Forest Houses Community Center. This was before the Cold Crush existed. DJ M & M played and then I went on and then Charlie Chase and The Furious Four went on after that and then they called me out on stage to perform with them, then after the show was over they called me back stage and asked me how much money I wanted, I said Nawww I just wanted the opportunity to perform with the people i thought was best, so they were like "yo you just as good as any of us, so we gonna split up the money five ways ", so we split up the money five ways and then we called ourselves the Furious Five. The Truth: What was your feeling after Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel couldn't get along causing the break up of the group? Rahiem: Well, essentially when we all started in the group together, we did it because we loved what we did. And I don't think anybody who initially during the "inception" of the hip hop era had the fore sight to think or see it as the worldwide phenom that it become. So in answer to your question, We built this brand together, as proprietors of a business, if you want to essentially continue and make it and hopefully help our business to thrive, then it would behoove us to do what’s necessary to work together and do that. So it made me feel very disenchanted with being in a group, because there are so many contrasting and conflicting personalities and opinions. It’s very difficult. The Truth: Why do you think " The Message" was such a huge success?
Rahiem: The message was and still is relevant because what we described that was going on in our communities in the message is still going on to this day. The Truth: So did you ever think to try to go solo at that point or did you just sit back hoping for the group to get back together? Rahiem: Right, The lateral of what you said. Basically I sat around and I waited and things never panned out the way that i hope that they would. but I’m not a regretful person. Luckily i kept on top of my lyrical abilities, venturing into the here and now as far as updating my flow. Todays rap artist, you know if you come from a certain era and you don't update the terminology that you're using that will help people to determine what era you came from. So to be able to move with the people today you have to be able to adapt. The Truth: What have you been doing to stay relevant in/to the Hip Hop movement? Rahiem : It's called reinventing yourself! The Truth We live in a world today where the younger generation (especially the ones entering the hip - hop/rap world) lack respect for pioneers such as yourself, have you ever experienced thi s problem before? Rah ie m: I don't have any issues with getting respect from the younger generation because I'm still very active and when they hear me today they don't associate me with ever being a member of Grandmaster Flash & the Furious 5 because I do n't look or sound anything like I did back then. The Truth: Do real Hip - hop still exist to you?
Rahiem: Real hip - hop exists but it's not mainstream because the people controlling hip - hop today wants our sons to be negatively influenced by gangster rap and behave like a criminal so they can have a reason to put them in prison! If you listen to the radio that's the only kind of music they play! With or without completely pointing a finger at the artists, because i know that the artist are not in complete control I know that the artist for quite some time, probably since 1990 now, have been coerce to take a specific direction with their lyrics in order to influence a certain percentage of the population to incite them to behave criminally. Because basically there's a company called Vanguard. Vanguard is the 3rd largest shareholder in Time Warner Inc. And Vanguard is also one of the largest shareholders at Sony Music so basically Vanguard controls all the entertainment. All right so they’re the parent company of the Time Warner and the Sony's what have you. So not only does Vanguard run these major labels, because they have major shares and major entertainment conglomerate they also own the largest conglomerate penitentiary called "Correction Corporation of America" They have made deals with 48 states in the United States. Guaranteeing each of the 48 States that they made deals with that they would have a privately owned penitentiary in that particular state under the condition that the 48 states had to maintain a 98% incarceration. Going back to today's rap music, I’ll give you a few examples of what I’m talking about, so you can see the correlation of the two things. When I was growing up the popular thing in movies were martial arts movies, Bruce Lee and after we would go see the Bruce Lee movie we come out, with the best moves, kicking each other’s ass! Music and a visual images are the two things that enter a subconscious mind without our permission. So with that being said if we took two groups of adolescences and placed them into separate rooms and in one room played either on television or musically age appropriate music, that was non threatening, non violent and played the very opposite for the other group, violent and misogynist music. Then observe the behaviors of those two groups .the first group would act normal, the second group would act depressing. It’s the power of suggestion. Every day of your young impressible life. Your favorite artist, you listen to your favorite artist more than you listen to your mother and father. Unfortunately in todays society, because evens walking around with headphones on. All day long.so if you are walking around with headphones on all day long , then your favorite artist has a very significant amount of influence over you, especially if you are impressionable, the more impressionable you are the more influenced by your favorite artist you be. So therefore if your favorite artist was saying how "he started from the bottom, now he here” and the bottom was how he was still standing on the corner of holding packs and slinging packs and shooting niggas and banging hoes, then you know, not everyone but a great percentage !
of the population is going to adopt that behavior. Because that is the equivalent of who has the most influence over them, look there’s only 24 hours in a day, do the observation yourself and watch any teenager and see how long in a day they have headphones. It’s crazy! The Truth: So hip-hop is somewhat a conspiracy to imprison people? Rahiem: In fact many of the top peers, entertainers and athletes have invested money into the penitentiary. Therefore if one of our sons go to prison people like Russell Simmons, Jay z, Diddy, Michael Jordan they all benefit monetarily and we are supporting these people monetarily by buying there music and by patronizing their business. The crazy thing is they absolutely look down on us. One time I was in the position of hardship and I had to borrow money from Russell Simmons and he has this cut off point where he will only some one like me $5,000. We’ve never done any business before but based on our history with each other, and the fact that we’ve known each other over 35 years and at one point our wives all hung out together, all that, its a crazy thing. Sure, you can’t bail out everybody; you'll be broke trying to help everybody out. But from what he said to me personally and what i took from it. I told him out of everybody you have ever given money to; I said I’m going to do everything in my power to pay you back. I said I bet you nobody you gave money to, paid your ass back. If I have to pay you back .25 a day until i pay you back, you will get that money. So he said to me " I have more compassion for people who are foreigners then I do for the people here"! And they have all adopted that mentality. All of the elite, that’s their thinking. Bill Cosby… we put these people where they are, we support them. We have this romanticize vision when we look at people like of Jay Z and Beyoncé in the news. The poster children of the machine. It seems when you are chosen everything you do is the right thing. When you make hundreds of millions of dollars you have to understand this, in any industry its not because your product is good or because everybody loves you, Especially if you are of our persuasion. You have to understand their are people of other persuasion who were making hundreds of million dollars before you. And guess what their not just letting you in they are letting you in at a price. " You Gone Pay Like You Weigh" everyone who is supported by the machine is seemly living a glorious life, but behind the
scene there’s some stuff going on…it ain't pretty! Again without blaming todays artists because they are definitely being told what to do. There is a certain kind of people who are in control of this game and they have actually been the people in control from the very beginning. And those people are making themselves more and more known. The Truth: What is some advice you would give to the younger artists (who are mostly reverting to online promotions) about networking and supporting and how important is to still do handto-hand, face-to-face, net working and building relationships? Rahiem: That’s very important. That’s the other half. Virally we have the ability through the Internet to be every place simultaneously as artists. That’s the reason why we don't really need a brick and mortar record label to sponsor us. If you have a team of 10 Internet savvy people, you can pretty much make your impression felt virally.
The Truth: We appreciate all the information you have given to us. This is one of the best interviews we've ever had. Your knowledge and your passion for this music industry don’t go unnoticed.
Would you like to be a part of a fundraising project that not only gives you the platform to share your favorite recipes, but also gives you an opportunity to give back? Caregivers 911, Inc., a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization that “takes care of those who take care of others,” is publishing a “WE CARE” cookbook. This is not just any “cookbook.” This book will be filled with original recipes from your friends, family members, colleagues and most of all from “YOU.” With a donation of $20.00 to submit your first recipe ($10 for each additional submission), your recipe will be published in Caregivers 911, Inc. “WE CARE” Cookbook along with your name and contact information, and you will receive a free copy of the cookbook for your first recipe submission. The cookbook will be sold all over the nation to raise funds to pay for services provided to those who take care of terminally ill family members. Join Caregivers, 911 to support a great cause, and share your favorite recipe with thousands of readers. And who knows? Opportunities from Kellogg, Hersheys, Betty Crocker, or other companies may come your way once their representatives view our “WE CARE” Cookbook. Send submissions to recipe@caregivers911.org and make your payment through PayPal at Caregivers911@live.com. Please include your full name, as you want it to appear in the book along with your contact information. Caregivers 911, Inc. thanks you in advance for helping our “caregivers.” For more information visit our website at: www.caregivers911.org.
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Could This Be You? By: Janice Carter Have you been hurt one too many times to the point you have sworn off men completely? (At least that's what you told yourself) If not completely, you opted to play the game you felt you were defeated in time and time again while dealing with a man. So with that question asked, it leads me to ask this very important question next…”Are women becoming the men who hurt them”? Maybe not intentionally or maybe it is intentionally. Truth of the matter is most women are not just lying down and settling for just anything anymore. After a Girlfriends Talk Forum titled " Why Are Black Women Single?" It’s true that a lot of men want to blame this "new found independence " for our "we can do bad all by ourselves" and “I don't need a man for nothing” attitudes! Is it just easier to be mean, and defensive when it comes to men? How do you know when your defense guard is keeping the wrong person out? Or does it really matter? Because at the end of the day we have written all men off as being the same? Heartache is a tremendous defeat to a woman who has given her all to a man. People handle certain situations differently and sadly some women just don't recover too well from being hurt time and time again. I know most people may think it is our own fault for enduring so much. Being the nurturing and most forgiving creatures that we are, we just always seem to think there is a glimmer of hope for a dead in situation. A lesson we all have learned the hard way. So with women getting stronger and stronger, older and wiser…we suddenly began to realize our self worth. For this reason our demands for respect comes off cocky (to a man without sincere motives), stopping bs in its track and letting a man know “ I been there done that and I’m not going back!” Some men never take into consideration that a woman could just be fed up with the games, the lies and the pain of trying to love someone, until they’ve just decided to get in where they fit in. Some women are not interested in a fairy tale love story anymore. They have been rudely awakened by the harsh reality of " the word “forever” only exist in the dictionary”. Who’s waiting on marriage these days? Who’s really making a man wait 90 days to have a sexual encounter? Who cares to know someone's last name, in some cases their first name? When you can spend a lifetime with a person and never really know them. In the end the final result will pan out to be the same anyway: wasted time and pain! I can hear the voices now saying, “she negative”… “She can’t speak for everyone” … “Women are just bitter”. Its amazing how double standards show it is morally wrong for a woman to carry herself in such a way. Woman are not suppose to smash and dash, Have more than one man or look else where when were not happy at home. But it seems natural for a man to distribute pain to woman and move right along to the next one. Some nerves huh? But we instilled the nerves in them by allowing them to do so much to us, and taking them back time after time. Now we too want to test our options… We want to express that we can do what they do if not better than they do it!
Do this hurt us more in the long run? Maybe so, once you start living a hurt life, you develop behavior and habits that are hard to break and not quite lady like. You lose who you are because someone once did you wrong. Everything you valued about yourself stolen by a selfish person…and you are fed up! Now you have to ask yourself, what are we to tell our daughters when they grow older? How can we explain the beauty of love when all we can remember is the ugliness of it all? You keep telling yourself you can’t keep falling in love with the image of being in love. Do you overlook the past pain and keep trying and be degraded for trying too many times and labeled a whore? Another double standard we as women cant seem to get away from. After giving it some thought, if this behavior isn’t who you are it will quickly take a toll on you and make you even unhappier. The biggest thing to this entire situation is “Love” and what we seem to forget is our very own “ Self Love” and if you love yourself you wouldn't cheat yourself out of anything that you are deserving of. You surely wouldn't act or do things to devalue yourself. So I say instead of getting angry, or doing things to get back at someone, use that down time to keep building yourself up to be even more fabulous than your already are. Believe it or not there will come a time when he will realize what he lost!
Health
Touch releases oxytocin, which makes us feel better. But can hugging make us better human beings?
Benefits of Cuddling Is there anyone who doesn’t like cuddling? On the physical affection and sexuality spectrum, it may not be a rock star, but it’s definitely a winner in terms of improving our health and wellbeing. Besides the obvious physical enjoyment of cuddling, there is a brain chemistry reaction that has far reaching effects. All those warm fuzzy feelings are nothing compared to the benefits we get from the release of oxytocin. Oxytocin is a neuropeptide (that’s geek speak for a brain chemical that performs many different functions) that’s secreted by the pituitary gland. It’s often associated with new mothers, as it helps with both labor and secretion of milk for breastfeeding, but it has a number of other functions and benefits for both men and women. What does this cuddle wonder drug do for us? • Lowers our blood pressure. The next time you hold someone close, take a deep breath and let it go. Unless it’s someone you’d rather not be hugging, chances are you’ll notice your heart rate and your breathing slow down a bit. As the oxytocin levels rise, they affect the hormones that keep us at the ready for action and allow our blood pressure to drop. • Helps relieve pain and raises our pain threshold. Ever have that feeling that nothing can hurt you because you’re so in love? Well, it was probably the oxytocin talking. This effect of oxytocin is particularly helpful for women in labor, but has implications for the rest of us in the day to day. What’s the first thing we do after jamming a finger? We rub it with our other hand. Even this selfstimulation triggers a release of oxytocin and helps us deal with the pain. • Reduces social anxiety. When our brains release oxytocin, we are more likely to have an optimistic outlook on connecting with others, better self-esteem and an easier time trusting those around us. Newer studies are exploring the usefulness of oxytocin (and even supplemental oxytocin) for both post-traumatic stress disorder and disorders on the autism spectrum. • Lowers levels of cortisol (stress hormone). Too much cortisol is bad news—for our moods, our weight and our hearts. While stress hormones like cortisol are a good thing when we need to react in a hurry in a fight-or-flight situation, poor stress management can keep cortisol levels high even when we don’t need it. • Protects against inflammation and oxidative stress. We hear all the time that inflammation is unhealthy and ages us faster. Instead of reaching for the supplement that’s hot this week, consider a little extra cuddle time before falling asleep. So does this mean anyone who’s single can’t reap the health benefits of oxytocin? Not at all. Hug your friends. We associate cuddling and physical affection with romantic relationships, but something as simple as a hug will also increase oxytocin levels. Play with your pet. Studies show that snuggling doesn’t have to be with our fellow humans to increase oxytocin. Any positive touch will elicit a release of oxytocin. Take a warm bath. The physical sensations of warmth can help increase oxytocin flow. Get a massage. Massage doesn’t just help stretch out those tight hamstrings; it’s also a great way to boost oxytocin levels and overall health. Another interesting effect of oxytocin is that it may actually help make us better people.
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Beauty
Hangnails A hangnail is just a little piece of dry skin that appears when the skin around your nails does not get a good enough supply of oil. Hangnails are more common in women but anyone who has their hands in water a lot, or people who bite their nails on a regular basis, can get hangnails. Anyone who does work that leaves their hands dry a lot will get a hangnail or two. People who sort mail all day often get hangnails. There are ways to avoid hangnails and ways to treat them easily. One annoying problem that even the most carefully groomed hands encounter is the dreaded hangnail. Though hangnails may seem rather insignificant in the grand scheme of health problems, they can become infected and lead to a handful of other issues. Fortunately, there are many ways to avoid hangnail hazards. Hangnails actually don't have anything to do with your fingernails. Many people confuse hangnails with ingrown nails, a condition in which the corner of your nail grows into the soft skin of your nail bed. In fact, hangnails are the dry, sometimes brittle triangular-shaped tags of skin around your fingernails that can tear off. Because there are many different causes of hangnails, everyone gets them occasionally. But chronic, consistent hangnails can lead to bigger problems. When the skin around your fingernails tears off, it opens the door to infection, especially when you consider all the bacteria your hands are exposed to every day, not to mention dishwater, cold weather and all the other things that dry out your hands in the first place. Fortunately, there are quick and easy ways to prevent hangnails that range from moisturizing often to pampering your hands with cuticle soaks and manicures. If you just can't beat hangnails, there are also easy ways to treat them. Antibacterial lotions can often do the trick, and in more serious cases, a prescription antibiotic might be in order. Of course, before you can avoid hangnails, you need to know what causes them. Keep reading to discover the common culprits.
• Soak your fingernails in an oil and water solution for 10 to 15 minutes. Take 4 caps of bath oil and mix it with one pint of warm water and let your fingernails soak. This will help soften your fingernails up to make it easy to clip the hangnail without causing any painful damage, and it will help prevent any future hangnails. Once you soak your hands in the oil and water solution, it will be easier and much less painful to clip the hangnail. It is better to clip a hangnail after it is soft than to clip it while it is hard, because clipping a hard hangnail can cause bleeding and possibly infection. • 2 Rub emollient cream on the affected area where the hangnail is and wrap it with plastic wrap. Keep it on over night because the plastic will secure the moisture and keep it in all night. Make sure to take the plastic wrap off in the morning. The emollient cream will keep the hangnail from getting infected and make it easier to clip. • 3 Moisturize your hands as often as necessary to avoid hangnails in the first place. Keeping your hands moisturized will prevent the skin around your nails from drying and forming into a hangnail. • 4 Use vinyl or cotton gloves when working with your hands. If you have your hands in water a lot, perhaps because you are washing dishes, wear vinyl gloves to keep the hangnail from getting any kind of chemicals in it and therefore infecting it. If you find yourself working in a dry area, wear cotton gloves to protect your hands from anything that can cause the hangnail to become infected. 5 Apply an antibacterial ointment to your hands or just to the area where the hangnail is to keep it from getting infected. This will also help keep your hands and the area where the hangnail is moisturized.
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Did You know? first jazz singers to appear on records
In her recording career, Bessie Smith worked with many important jazz performers, such as saxophonist Sidney Bechet and pianists Fletcher Henderson and James P. Johnson. With Johnson, she recorded one of her most famous songs, "Backwater Blues." Smith also collaborated with the legendary jazz artist Louis Armstrong on several tunes, including "Cold in Hand Blues" and "I Ain't Gonna Play No Second Fiddle." By the end of the 1920s, Smith was the highest-paid black performer of her day, and had earned herself the title "Empress of the Blues."
However, at the height of her success, Bessie Smith’s career began to flounder, due in part to the financial ravages of the Great Depression and her increasingly serious alcoholism. In 1929 she and Jack Gee permanently separated, and by the end of 1931 Smith had stopped working with Columbia altogether. However, ever the dedicated performer, Smith adapted her repertoire and continued to tour.
Bessie Smith was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on April 15, 1894. She began to sing at a young age and in 1923 signed a contract with Columbia Records. Soon she was among the highest-paid black performers of her time with hits like "Downhearted Blues." By the end of the 1920s, however, her career suffered from both the Depression and her battle with alcoholism. She continued to perform and made new recordings at the start of the Swing Era. Her comeback and life were cut short when she was killed in an automobile accident outside of Clarksdale, Mississippi on September 26, 1937.
Bessie Smith was born Elizabeth Smith on April 15, 1894 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She was one of seven children. Her father, a Baptist minister, died soon after her birth, leaving her mother to raise her and her siblings. Around 1906, her mother and two of her brothers died and Smith and her remaining siblings were raised by their aunt. It was around this time that Smith began to perform as a street singer, accompanied on the guitar by one of her younger brothers. In 1912, Smith began performing as a dancer and a singer in the Moses Stokes minstrel show, and soon thereafter in the Rabbit Foot Minstrels, of which blues vocalist Ma Rainey was a member. Rainey took Smith under her wing and gave her some early training, and over the next decade Smith continued to perform at various theaters and on the vaudeville circuit.
By the early 1920s, Smith had settled down and was living in Philadelphia, and in 1923 she met and married a man named Jack Gee. That same year, she was discovered by a representative from Columbia Records, with whom she signed a contract and made her first song recordings. Among them was a track titled "Downhearted Blues," which was wildly popular and sold an estimated 800,000 copies, propelling Smith into the blues spotlight. With her rich, powerful voice, Smith soon became a successful recording artist and toured extensively. To circumvent the prejudicial treatment that she and her traveling troupe sometimes endured, Smith eventually bought a custom railroad car for them to travel and sleep in.
In 1933, Smith was brought back from semi-obscurity by producer John Hammond, who contracted her to make new recordings backed by a band that included jazz legend Benny Goodman. The recordings hint at the coming Swing Era and mark Smith’s return to the spotlight.
Over the next few years, Smith continued to tour, hoping to recapture her earlier success and to take advantage of the growing popularity of swing. However, on September 26, 1937, Smith was en route to a performance in Memphis, Tennessee with her companion of many years, Richard Morgan, when he sideswiped a truck and lost control of their car. Smith was thrown from the vehicle and badly injured. She was reportedly refused treatment at a "whites only" hospital before being taken to one that would treat blacks. It was there that she died of her wounds. She was 43.
Smith’s funeral was held in Philadelphia a week later, with thousands coming to pay their respects. She was buried in Mount Lawn Cemetery in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania.
Since her death, Bessie Smith’s music continues to win over new fans, and collections of her songs have continued to sell extremely well over the years. She has been a primary influence of countless female vocalists—including Billie Holliday, Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin—and has been immortalized in numerous works, including Edward Albee’s 1961 play The Death of Bessie Smith.
Stopping the Spirit of Murder… By Frank Comer
Since the beginning of time, murder has been a devilish act that has destroyed the spirit of humanity. Man’s inhumanity to man began with the first recorded murder of Cane murdering his brother Abel in our first community, the community of Eden. Every act of murder is the spirit of the devil with his determination to destroy the fabric of one’s Godliness. and remain in opposition God. The murderous act of Cane created the spirit and existence of murder that now permeates in today’s society. Murder and it’s evil presence has become an in habitant in human nature. In many of our communities the spirit of murder has evolved becoming a premeditated rite of passage for many of our youth & young adults. These senselessness murders that now saturate our communities are the characteristics of those who lack the principle foundation of faith. We have become a manifestation of self-destructing behavior that devalues our significance because it involves selfdestruction and the lost of life, thus making us a community destined to fail. The spirit of murder produces a spiritual and physical demise that unfortunately becomes inevitable just as it did at the beginning of time when Cane murdered his brother Abel. The evil spirit of murder creates a soul-less body that functions as nothing more than an instrument that administers death. The spirit of humanity is being plagued is being crime, gun violence, drugs and murder that is destroying the vital part of men. We have been conditioned to accept murder as in the legislative form and also accept murder as a byproduct of communities that have been socially and economically deprived, that still does not make it right. The moral institutions that encompass the spiritual aspects of communities has to be more diligent in making spiritual connections with members of the community who are at risk. Those who are at risk and lack critical thinking and are without any spiritual insight, they must be given something to believe in that is far greater than themselves. There has to be an attempt to restore the spiritual essence of man that creates a foundation of spiritually that promotes positivity, self-awareness and Godliness.
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The evil spirit of murder creates a soul-less body that functions as nothing more than an instrument that administers death. The spirit of humanity is being plagued is being crime, gun violence, drugs and murder that is destroying the vital part of men. We have been conditioned to accept murder as in the legislative form and also accept murder as a by-product of communities that have been socially and economically deprived, that still does not make it right. The moral institutions that encompass the spiritual aspects of communities has to be more diligent in making spiritual connections with members of the community who are at risk. Those who are at risk and lack critical thinking and are without any spiritual insight, they must be given something to believe in that is far greater than themselves. There has to be an attempt to restore the spiritual essence of man that creates a foundation of spiritually that promotes positivity, self-awareness and Godliness.
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2014 Prom Etiquette !
Invitations • Today, it is socially acceptable for both boys and girls to invite dates to prom, for groups or friends to go together, or for individuals to attend alone. Be sure to confirm your plans early enough to get tickets and allow time to shop for dresses and tuxedos.
Expenses Each person pays for his or her own clothing--dress and accessories for girls and tuxedo and shoes for boys. Each person also should purchase flowers for his or her date (if going with a date) and present them before the dance. Tickets, transportation, dinner and any other expenses may be shared. Be sure to discuss this with your date or group well in advance to avoid confusion or embarrassment when it's time to pay.
Flowers • Girls will wear a corsage, either pinned to the dress or worn on the wrist, and boys wear a boutonnière pinned to the lapel. Ask your date what colors he or she is wearing, so the florist can help you choose coordinating flowers. If you're not going with a date, it's fine to purchase your own flowers to complete your outfit.
Dinner • If dinner isn't included, you'll probably want to go out to dinner before going to the prom. Price, location and atmosphere are all important considerations. Be sure to choose a restaurant that everyone in your group will enjoy. As always, remember your manners and do your best to make polite, interesting conversation.
Dancing • If you have a date, be sure to introduce them to your friends and try to include them in the conversation. You should avoid leaving your date alone. If you must leave momentarily to visit the restroom, politely excuse yourself and return as soon as possible. If someone asks you to dance, check your date before accepting. It's fine to dance in a group as long as your date is included. If you're not attending with a date, be sure to consider others' dates before joining a conversation or asking them to dance.
Legendary BUN B Skullys wasn't packed to capacity but it defiantly brought the people out. The right people at that. The ones who appreciate music and the ones who know how to have a good time… I was definitely a party! I must say I was really surprised by Kirko Bangz, I didn't know what to expect from this artists that is generations away from the Hip hop pioneer Bun B himself. Kirko Bangz, who’s been perfecting his craft since the age 15 years old, gave an amazing performance and his interaction with the crowd was so dope. As we all waiting to hear his hottest single to this day, "Drank In My Cup" which was released in 2011. Few years and couple of mix tapes later Kirko Bangz is set to release his album " Bigger Than Me " in June. This Trillest Tour Texas combination is a must see. Hip Hop pioneer Bun B looking a bit fatigue, did not hold back. He gave the crowd what they came for. He knew exactly what the crowd wanted to hear and he delivered the greats as well as the new music. Trill OG: The Epilogue is the latest album for Bun B. Staying busy on his down time, Bun B is now a Distinguished Lecturer at Rice University since 2011. He taught a course in the School of the Humanities on Hip-Hop and Religion. He has a Coloring Book titled "Bun B's Rap Coloring Book”. As well as appeared in two films Ghetto Stories (2010) and Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap (2012)
If this tour comes to your city, treat yourself, don't cheat yourself and mess around and miss the "Trillest Tour"!
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GT’s Melody Moment
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“I don’t believe in fame. I just have supporters
”- Que GT’s Spotlight with the Coke Boyz One Third of the Coke Boys Sorcez Dieniro formally known as JT The Sorcez. CEO of we got next entertainment and Platinum producer since 1993. In 1994 Sorcez Dieniro started out with the Wu Tang Clan.
Rapper Que was in the building to perform his smash single "OG Bobby Johnson”. This banger has spawned a remix with such artist as Snoop Dogg, Pusha T and A$AP Ferg as well as a slew of unofficial takes from the likes of T.I., French Montana and Future. Now, all eyes are on the track’s mastermind, Atlanta rapper Que. The 23-year-old recently inked a deal with Atlantic Records and is embarking on his first solo mixtape, Who is Que?. The artist explains the title "Who Is Que,” simply saying “After ['OG Bobby Johnson'] really started buzzing a lot of people starting asking the question, ‘Who is Que’ so I’m going really tell my story and give people a feel for who Que is as a person.” Ironically OG Bobby Johnson is the name that the German producer of this song goes by. Adrian Brusch (real name) — had worked with underground artists like Jose Guapo, Tree and Ransom, but never truly broke through into the mainstream. After being inspired by the energy of A$AP Ferg’s “Work (Remix),” Johnson got the melody of “OG Bobby Johnson” stuck in his head, and crafted the rest of the beat from there. He’d heard Que’s “Young Hitta,” a local hit for the ATLien, and reached out via the Internet to collaborate. he laced up that particular beat for Que, (then an Atlanta upstart with a regional base but no national attention). Johnson hit up Que on Twitter, sent him the beat, and the two had a banger on their hands. It's can be a great thing when you use social networking for what it is meant for!
He is also an actor and Emmy award winner from his role on the HBO series The Corner. He had never acted before or took acting lessons. He was spotted in the crowd by Charles "ROC"Dutton. The Coke Boys deal came when a friend of his Young Viking who is best friends with Chinx Drugz convinced him to come along. Already friends with French Montana the connection was natural. When asked about the group name “Coke Boys” Dieniro explains is meaning and mission: “creation of kings everywhere” is to save our youth. Later on I connected with a guy name Jay Stewart who got a deal with Def Jam and that’s how I got my situation. Sorcez Dieniro use to co-host the uncut raw TV/DVD magazine BMF (one of the biggest DVD to this day, that is still selling) When asked about his feeling about the music game today he states " I think the music game is messed up and there is a lot of trickery.” A lot of people have been blessed by this game and their music is trash, no substance. There's no A & R anymore. Artist development, artist rep. You have to develop these artists, they are just grabbing these artists off of the Internet based off their views thinking they are going to be the next big thing and they flop a year later. Sorcez Dieniro understands he is blessed and fortunate that he is still here over 15 years. From Wu Tang Clan to Bones Thugs & Harmony now he is running with the number one rap group in the country " The Coke Boys and French Montana, who was at one time an underdog himself, that no one ever wanted to give a chance to. "French earned every penny and everything he is doing" says Sorcez Although he feels this way about the industry he credit the youngins for keeping him inspired and his adrenaline up. He has worked with many but has a great respect and enjoyed working with Slick Pulla GTE (Young Jeezy Label), when asked who he would want to work with in the future without hesitation he says "Kendrick Lamar" with great admiration. He credits God, Charlie Smith and his mentor Mona Scott for his guidance and advice. Go check out these "Sex, Lies & Mixtapes”, "Blow.0", "Blow 2 Reloaded "and be on the look out for " Don't Bite The Hand That Feeds You"!
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Our condolences to the families of… The Ultimate Warrior, a recent inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame, has died. An iconic presence in the glory days of Wrestlemania, the Ultimate Warrior (born James Hellwig) was known for his intensity, long blonde hair, and his face paint. He was 54.
Mickey Rooney, who crawled onto the Hollywood scene before he was 2 years old, has died. The star of National Velvet and Breakfast at Tiffany's had a career that spanned nine decades. He was 93.
Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, the boxer whose wrongful murder conviction became an international symbol of racial injustice, has died at 76. John Artis, a longtime friend and caregiver, said Carter died in his sleep Sunday. Carter had been stricken with prostate cancer in Toronto, the New Jersey native’s adopted home.
DJ EZ Rock, whose real name is Rodney Bryce, was part of the Harlem duo Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock. The tandem produced the classic 1988 single, ‘It Takes Two,’
Kevin Sharp, a country music singer who recorded multiple chart-topping songs and survived a well-publicized battle with cancer, has died. He was 43.
CERTIFIED MASTER SEX EXPERT, EDUCATOR, AND COACH The positive effects of sex are often overlooked but what’s overlooked even more is what happens to your body and mind when you aren’t having enough sex. Here are 9 signs that you may need a really good romp in the hay: 1. You’re very tense and stressed out. Sex has been proven to be a natural stress reliever. While you may not be able to prevent all of life’s little worries, issues, and responsibilities; sex is a fun, natural way to help combat the negative effects of the stress that comes with them.
Grilled or Barbecued Oysters Yields: serves many Prep time: 10 min Cook time: 10 min Ingredients: Large fresh (live) oysters in the shell* Melted butter Hot sauce Lemon wedges (I personally like aioli sauce) • Oysters in the shell must be sold live by law, as all bi-valves must be. They should feel heavy and full of water. Live oysters will be tightly clamped shut, or will clamp shut when tapped. Dead oysters will have loose shells and must be discarded along with those which have broken shells. The flavor is best when fresh oysters are consumed within 24 hours of purchase. Preparation: Preheat Barbecue grill. Scrub the oyster shells under cold running water with a brush. Discard any open shells, as the oyster is dead and not edible. Place oysters (cup side on bottom) on hot grill about 4 inches from hot coals. Cover barbecue with lid, open any vents, and cook 8 to 10 minutes (depending on size) or until shells begin to open to indicate doneness. Remove all oysters when the first one opens. I always personally check over all live oysters that I buy to make sure they are alive when purchasing. Some shells will not be opened, so some prying will be necessary. Using a mitt or towel to protect your hand, remove the oysters from the grill, taking care not to spill their juices. Pry the oysters the rest of the way open with an oyster knife, paring knife, or screwdriver. Sever the muscle that connects the shells, leaving the oyster on the half shell.
2. You’re looking like you’re in need of a little maintenance. Do your legs need to be shaved, ladies? Is your gut starting to cover your penis when you look down fellas? Can your toenails cut up your sheets AND your blanket? Haven’t worked out in weeks? Or does it look like you’re growing a field of weeds ‘down there’? Getting some action is a great motivator to getting your body back in order. 3. You’ve been feeling sad and depressed but don’t know why. Not having enough sex can lead to feelings of sadness and depression. Sex releases those much needed “feel good” endorphins and chemicals such as serotonin into our body to get us balanced and back to feeling happy again. 4. Your confidence level has been low. Sex has also been shown to boost one’s confidence and self esteem and the dopamine released during sex produces feelings of well-being. 'Knocking boots' is an effective way to boost your self-confidence and have you feeling pretty awesome. 5. Your productivity is low. Recent studies have shown that sex boosts brain performance and productivity. Also the dopamine released during sex causes us to feel motivated. It only makes sense that Less Stress + Looking and Feeling Good + Confidence + Elevated Brain Performance + Motivation = Higher Productivity. 6. You’re experiencing writer’s or artist’s block. One of the other many, many benefits of sex is a boost to one's creativity! Our sexual energy is our creative energy and can be used to create and even heal. (You should definitely read Transmutation of Sexual Energy in Napolean Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich”.) If you’re experiencing writer’s block or artist’s block or just having a difficult time taping into your own creativity, give sex a try. I know it always works for me. 7. You’re thinking about sex…A LOT. If you’re constantly thinking about it, chances are your body needs it and needs to release some of that built up sexual tension. (Not to be confused with how a Sex Addict thinks about sex, please see my blog on sexual addiction if you need clarification). 8. You’ve been feeling like life is getting to be mundane, boring, and just plain blah. Great sex puts a spark back into your life and makes you feel alive and happy! Those “feel good” endorphins give you feelings of satisfaction; you feel sexy, excited, and ready kick butt again. Sex is extremely rejuvenating to the mind, body, and soul. 9. You’ve had a funky ass attitude. Nothing and I do mean nothing can put a person in a funk like not enough sex. If your friends and family are avoiding you, if you’re experiencing road rage, if you’re operating on a really short fuse or have only one nerve left and someone is ON IT…you need to have some sex and get that attitude back in order. Be responsible and wrap it up to protect from sexually transmitted infections, and don’t give your lovin’ to just anyone and everyone! While I do want you adults to be experiencing sex and plenty of it, I want you to be safe by having both physically AND emotionally safe sex. Until next time, Nikki
5 dumb mistakes healthy people make You’re not the type of person to make many mistakes. And certainly not dumb mistakes. In fact, it’s my guess that you’re healthier than most. !You likely exercise regularly. You watch what you eat. You keep up-to-date on the latest health concerns. You don’t binge on sugar. !And you never – ever - eat fast food. Well, almost never.!!But you do have a few unhealthy skeletons in your closet – ones that you probably aren’t even aware of. !The following 5 Dumb Mistakes are frequently committed by health conscious people. Once you break these bad habits, you’ll find that achieving your weight loss goals just became a whole lot easier. !1. You’re Sleep Deprived • In Gallup Poll surveys, 56% of the adult population reported that drowsiness is a problem in the daytime. That means that more than half of the population doesn’t get adequate sleep. • Healthy adults require 7-8 hours of sleep each night. When you fail to meet this need your body goes into sleep debt, which continues to accumulate indefinitely until you catch up. • A lack of sleep negatively affects your immune system, your nervous system, and interferes with healthy hormone release and cellular repairs. The best way to combat sleep deprivation is to set a scheduled bedtime. Your body will benefit from a consistent sleeping and waking routine, and you’re sure to get all the rest you need.!!If you have trouble falling asleep once you’re in bed, then try these two tips. First, make sure that you don’t drink any caffeinated beverages after lunchtime. Second, don’t eat for three hours before you go to bed. This helps eliminate sleeplessness due to indigestion, and will also turbo-charge your weight loss. ! 2. You’re Dehydrated It has been said that 75 percent of the population is chronically dehydrated. Would you disagree? When was the last time that you actually drank 8 glasses of water in a day? Dehydration occurs when more fluid leaves your body than is taken in. Symptoms include: fatigue, irritability, headaches, nausea, rapid heart rate, and, in extreme cases, even death. Dehydration also slows your metabolism, which hinders weight loss. You shouldn’t wait until the feeling of thirst or dry mouth hits you, at that point damage has already been done. Instead, constantly rehydrate throughout your day to avoid dehydration. The best way to do this is to incorporate water into your daily schedule. Have a water bottle at your desk and train yourself to sip on it often, and get into the habit of drinking a full glass of water with each meal and snack. ! 3. You’re Stressed Out • I don’t have to tell you that we are living in a fast-paced world and that most of us have stress levels that are through the roof. But what you might not realize is that your stress levels are making you fat. • Stress creates an increase in the hormone cortisol, and chronic stress creates a chronic increase in cortisol. This is a problem because is slows your metabolism, leads to cravings and is linked to greater levels of abdominal fat storage. • The vicious cycle of stress and weight gain goes around and around. Stress causes you to eat emotionally, and your raised cortisol levels cause that food to be stored as fat.
One of the most effective ways to instantly eliminate stress is to sit down and write out a list of all the things that are bothering you. This should include things that you need to get done, issues that weigh on your mind and anything you believe contributes to your stress level. Once it’s all down on paper, organize it like a to-do list and start resolving each item. Doing so will get the stress off of your mind and will put your body into the motion of resolving each issue. !4. You Eat Out Too Often 1. Research suggests that most people eat out one out of every 4 meals and snacks. That’s an average of once a day. 2. Restaurant food is designed to do one thing: to taste good. In order to increase eating pleasure, each item is loaded with fat, salt and sugar. This causes you to eat way more calories than you actually need. 3. Even when you order ‘healthy’ items, you’re still taking in more calories and fat grams than you would if you had prepared the item at home. Imagine the last salad you ordered out. Didn’t it come with cream dressing, croutons, cheese sprinkles and a piece of butter-laden bread on the side? The main reason people eat out is for convenience, so with a little organization you’ll find that preparing your own meals takes less time than you thought it would. On the weekend sit down and plan out your meals for the week. Then go to the grocery store and stock up on everything you’ll need for those meals. !Pack your lunch and snacks each night before bed, then grab it on your way out the door in the morning. When you prepare dinner at home, make enough for at least the next day as well. Your efforts will pay off both in terms of weight loss and in money saved. !5. You’re on Exercise Autopilot • You do the same thing each and every time you exercise. Same machines, same pace, same duration. While your routine sure feels comfortable, your results have long since halted. • A plateau occurs when your body adapts to your routine and weight loss stops. It is incredibly frustrating, and totally avoidable. • You don’t have to increase the amount of time that you spend exercising in order to see quicker, faster results. It’s all about challenging your body. There are two simple ways to instantly increase the effectiveness of your exercise routine. First, increase your pace. Secondly, increase your intensity. Constantly vary your speed and intensity in order to keep your muscles guessing and adapting. !Another way to break through the exercise plateau is to do something totally new. If you regularly use weight machines then start using free weights. If you normally jog on the treadmill then start using the bike. !Are you ready to break the plateau as you take your routine to the next level?!!Would you like to know without a shadow of a doubt that you are going to lose weight in the coming months? !It’s my goal to see you achieve greatness. I believe that you’ve got what it takes. !Let’s do this! Call or email today to get started on the fitness program that will improve your health and well being, and will get you amazing results. !Don’t make a mistake…contact me today!
Teriyaki Rib Eye and Chicken Wrapped Asparagus
Easy Apricot Chicken This delicious recipe for Easy Apricot Chicken is a quick and simple dinner that’s filled with fiber and protein. Dinners like this will get you well on your way to transforming your body. Pack the leftovers for a wholesome, fat burning lunch. Servings: 4 !Here’s what you need: • 1/2 cup fruit-only apricot preserves • 1/4 cup coconut aminos • 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar • 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger • 1 garlic clove, minced • 1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika • 1 lb organic chicken tenders 7. In a medium skillet combine the apricot preserves, coconut aminos, vinegar, ginger, garlic and sweet paprika. Place over low heat and mix often for 4 minutes. Rinse the chicken tenders and place in a baking sheet. Pour the apricot mixture over the chicken, and place in the fridge for 20 minutes. Turn on the High broil. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place a wire rack in the center of the sheet and arrange the marinated chicken in a single layer. Place in the oven on the top rack. After 5 minutes, use tongs to flip the chicken. Return to the oven for another 5 minutes. Allow the chicken to blacken slightly
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This recipe for Teriyaki Rib Eye and Chicken Wrapped Asparagus is savory and delicious. It’s a wonderful way to get your protein and veggies all at once! Fight the urge to serve this meal with traditional rice, and instead shred a head of cauliflower in a food processor and sauté into low-carb, guilt-free rice. Enjoy!!!Yield: 5 servings !Here’s what you need:!!For the Sesame Blanched Asparagus • Sea salt • 2 bunches fresh, organic asparagus • 1 Tablespoon sesame seed oil • 1 teaspoon lemon zest • 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice • Fresh, black pepper 4. Bring 2 inches of water to boil in a large skillet. Add a sprinkle of sea salt. 5. Wash and trim the ends from 2 bunches of asparagus. Add to the boiling water and blanch for about 10 minutes, until tender and vibrantly green. 6. Remove from heat, drain and place in a bowl. Toss with the sesame oil, lemon juice and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside. For the Rib Eye and/or Chicken • 1/2 cup sake • 1/2 cup mirin • 2 Tablespoons freshly grated ginger • 2 Tablespoons minced garlic • 1/2 cup coconut aminos • 2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup • 2 Tablespoons olive oil • 1 lb. thinly sliced Rib Eye and/or Chicken • Combine the sake, mirin, ginger, garlic, coconut aminos and maple syrup in a bowl. Pour over the meat in a shallow container. Place in the fridge and chill for an hour. • Heat the olive oil in a grill pan or skillet. Remove the meat from the fridge. Wrap pieces of meat around stalks of asparagus. Place in the preheated skillet and cook until browned, about 5 minutes per side. Remove from heat and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Nope, it's not true Certain fitness myths just won’t die. !These lies are passed from one person to the next, a little piece of misinformation that sets you up for failure. !Maybe you’ve heard one or two… !There’s the one about sit-ups melting off belly fat. (Sorry, folks, spot reduction is a myth. You’ve got to burn the fat from your body as a whole.) !Then there’s the one that says that the faster you perform an exercise the better, even at the expense of form. (Ouch! This is an invitation for injury. Never ever sacrifice form for speed.) !There’s even one about recovery days not being necessary. (It’s actually vitally import to your recovery and fat loss to take rest days.) !But of all the fitness myths out there, the one that offends me the most is the idea that long, slow cardio sessions are the way to lose fat. !So many people waste their time and effort on this one. Do you? !In reality, short intense workouts that incorporate resistance training with challenging bouts of cardio will burn fat much quicker than a long, steady cardio session. !Who doesn’t love to save time? !If you are still plodding away on the treadmill 60 minutes at a time then you are spending more time to get half of results. !Allow me to introduce you to a little technique called HIIT. !HighIntensity Interval Training is an exercise strategy that improves performance with short training sessions. These sessions involve a warm up period, several short, maximum-intensity efforts that are separated by moderate recovery intervals, and a cool down period. !The addition of explosions of speed into your comfortable pace will increase your power, muscle tone, speed, strength, endurance and best of all it allows you to burn more calories. !There you have it—all you need to know to take your workouts to the next level. !Do you have questions about using HIIT to get better results? I would love to hear from you. !Call or email today and I will schedule a time to meet with you one-on-one to strategize the quickest and most effective route to meeting your fitness goals. Let’s do this!
Ohio Missing
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TONI MOORE, Age Now: 15, Missing: 03/17/2014. Missing From CANAL WINCHESTER, OH. ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT: Columbus Police Department (Ohio) 1-614-645-4545.!
BIANCA DAMANIK, Age Now: 11, Missing: 01/12/2005. Missing From WILLOUGHBY, OH. ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT: Macedonia Police Department (Ohio) 1-330-468-1234 or Federal Bureau of Investigation (Akron, Ohio) 1-216-522-1400 or Your Local FBI. !
TAMARA MCQUEEN, Age Now: 17, Missing: 12/18/2013. Missing From CINCINNATI, OH. ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT: Colerain Township Police Department (Ohio) 1513-321-2677. !
ALEXUS CLARK, Age Now: 17, Missing: 08/02/2013. Missing From COLUMBUS, OH. ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT: Columbus Police Department (Ohio) 1-614-645-4545. !
April 2014 horoscope
Aries (March 21 - April 19): This month, expect challenges. Taurus (April 20 – May 20): Although you may experience a certain amount of mild tension this month, you're in good shape compared to some of the other signs. Gemini (May 21 – June 20): Your love and social lives might feel like more stress than they are worth this month. Cancer (June 21 – July 22): You may have reached a breaking point when it comes to a domestic situation. Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22): If you're involved in any negotiation, you might feel tension reach a boiling point this month. Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22): Money troubles may prove aggravating this month, thanks to an angry Lunar Eclipse on April 15 that sets off a panic alarm until at least April 24. Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22): You most certainly are living in interesting times, Libra. Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21): There's so much going on inside of you these days, Scorpio, that it's like bubbles underneath the surface of wallpaper. Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21): Tension in your social life and with finances might try to get the best of you this month, but fortunately, if there's one place you can find solace it's with your family. Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19): Your professional life is at a crossroads, and if you don't make a decision this month it's possible one will be made for you. Aquarius (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19): If you're enrolled in a university or certification program, you might feel quite stressed. Perhaps there's a vital exam looming ahead and you're not as prepared as you'd like to be. Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20): Finances might be a problem this month, and if that's the case the only way to handle the situation will be head-on.
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