PRINCE TRIBUTE

The Prince Guitar Collection by Christopher Kaiser

As the days approach on what would have been Prince’s 60th birthday on June 7th. We honor and remember the artist who made breakthroughs in music history. Prince passed away two years ago on April 21, 2016 and left behind a legacy for many upcoming and new artists to follow in his footsteps. Prince was one of the world’s famous yet inspiring artists of all time. He is one of the few artists that have mastered to play 27 different instruments at such a young age. Using his wide vocal range, his incredible abilities to produce, record and perform whole albums without the use of a band. His discography goes down a plethora of albums with hit songs such as Adore, I Wanna Be Your Lover, 1999, When Doves Cry, Diamonds and Pearls, and his profound historic ground breaking song Purple Rain. The song continues to inspire a lot of new artists in the present day. This is one of the few artists that gave an electrifying stage performance. Prince was and still is widely known for his extravagant fashions throughout the 1980s and 1990’s that would set off trends for other artist years and decades to come. What most people but probably fans do know is that Prince had a collection of fashionable guitars. Not only can you hear the distinct sounds coming from his guitars his songs but he used in several of them in his videos and live performances. I believe that Prince knew that if he was going to be a big time artist, then he would have a unique sound and a distinguished style of clothing fashions to solely say this is Prince. Then why not have guitars to match up and play a part his creativity. But like any other professional such as photographers choosing the right camera to get that great photo or car racers picking out the best car to drive in races. Or even other musicians hand picks their instruments; Prince was one that knew his guitars. He had a fine taste for guitars. He studied all the styles and listened to the qualities. Not only did the guitar have to look good but sounded good to his ears. If you were going to purchase a guitar; Prince would‘ve been the best person to go with to the music store. It was Prince that wanted a guitar with a unique style that didn’t look like other standard guitars that most musicians play. Prince had a liking for such guitars that were oddshaped with an intense type of cut away section. One guitar in particular was the Cloud Guitar; created by David Rusan. He was luthier at the Knut Koupee, a music store, in Minneapolis that built the first one and presented it to Prince in 1983. Some of those guitars were featured in Prince’s first film, Purple Rain, back in 1984. Since the film four more were created and re-sprayed for various reasons. Prince specially used a yellow cloud guitar that in his videos and live concerts during his Diamonds and Pearls era. You can check it out in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. If you’re interested in purchasing a replica of this guitar you can find one online with the prices starting at $400 to $6000. Besides the cloud guitar Prince had a fascination with standard style guitars. From the beginning with the For You album (1978) to the Sign O’ Times album (1987) Prince has used Fender Telecaster designed guitar. One of the most recognized guitars used in a lot of his shows during his career. This fine instrument is made with a leopard print pick guard style. If you’re interested in purchasing one, this particular guitar is priced around $500 to $700 at your local music instrument stores. By 1993 into the 2000’s Prince would change his name to the symbol and part ways with his re-

cord label. Under his new name Prince would make another fashion statement with by having a guitar made in shape of the symbol. Televised from around the world at the 2007 Super Bowl Half-time show Prince played Purple Rain with his then newly symbol customized purple guitar. The crowd of fans went crazy as he sang and played on his guitar solo as the purple rain came down in the stadium. The night will always remembered in Super Bowl history as one of the greatest performances of all time. In closing Prince was not only a brilliant genius when it came to writing and producing music. But Prince was a fashion icon with his guitars. He had a vision of what he wanted them to look and sound like. Prince knew what exact guitars would work for his sound that he produces for his records and future records.

All that beauty and so statuette model Kimmie Langley wearing Phatz 2022 Casual Spring Collection, 2 Pc beige strip halter top and matching skirt. Comes in that 1 color and style, all sizes available. To order go to www.phatzclothing.com

THE LOVE SYMBOL

According to Rolling Stone Magazine, Prince music and his life and message continues to inspire millions around the globe. Over his lifetime, Prince released nearly 40 albums and dominated the Eighties with his innovative fusion of rock, funk, pop and R&B, all with a sense of humor, unique perspective and deliciously unhinged style of writing and singing. We asked our readers to vote for the best of Prince’s many songs. Here are the results.

10. The Beautiful Ones 9. Raspberry Beret 8. Darling Nikki 7. Kiss 6. Little Red Corvette 5. 1999 4. Sign O’ The Times 3. Let’s Go Crazy 2. When Doves Cry 1. Purple rain

MELANIE MAC

THE ANSWER TO ENDING SCHOOL VIOLENCE

THE ANSWER TO ENDING SCHOOL SHOOTINGS With the increasing school shootings coupled with fatalities, there has been increasing talk of the need for gun control. At the time of this article, the United States has reached a count of 23 reported school shootings for 2018 with the last one reported for May 25, 2018 in Noblesville, Indiana at Noblesville West Middle School. As our society searches for an answer to ending these tragedies (and whether gun control is the answer), it’s important to look at when these occurrences began. The infamous Columbine shootings of 1999 have been credited with influencing subsequent school shootings. However, the massacre that inspired the making of movies as well as songs about one of the victims, Cassie Bernall, was not the first school shooting or school massacre. The New York Times probably reported the first campus massacre that took place on August 1, 1966 in AUSTIN, Texas. A 25-year-old engineering student, Charles Whitman, carried an arsenal of weapons to the top of the 27-story tower on the University of Texas campus and shot 12 people to death and wounded approximately 33 others before the police killed him. He was stated to be an ex-Marine. It might be of some significance to know that he left notes after he murdered his mother and wife (one with each of their bodies). These murders preceded his massacre on the college campus. These notes indicated he had questions about his mental state. A quote of interest from those letters is, “I imagine it appears that I brutally killed both of my loved ones. I was only trying to do a quick thorough job...If my life insurance policy is valid please pay off my debts...donate the rest anonymously to a mental health foundation. Maybe research can prevent further tragedies of this type...” He requested that an autopsy be performed on his body after his death for any abnormalities.

Findings also show that there was a report of a massacre that took place in 1976. The California State University, Fullerton massacre resulted in seven deaths and two injuries.

Most people may not realize that the United States has a long history of reported school shootings dating back to the 1800s and the occurrences weren’t so infrequent as some might think. Some incidents resulted in deaths, while some only resulted in injuries. In other cases, there were no tragedies. It’s interesting to note that with recent discussions regarding arming teachers or other school officials, some of the murders in early history were committed by school personnel. One such example took place on February 6, 1864. The Ashland Times reported that George W. Longfelt, the school teacher of the Pyfer’s School House, near Ashland County in Ohio, shot and killed a student, Alfred Desem, at the school house and escaped. At the time of the report there was no information given for the cause of the murder.

There have been reported cases of self-defense claims by school officials. The Los Angeles Herald reported an account that took place on September 11, 1909 in Gravette, Arkansas, at the edge of McDonald County, Missouri. A. T. Kelly reportedly killed his student, John Bufram, at Bear Hollow School. Claims were made that Butram announced that school would not be in session that day to other students, but Kelly insisted that school would continue as usual. During the discussion Butram pulled a knife and reportedly injured two teachers; Kelly shot him. Kelly surrendered to authorities. Another self-defense incident took place in 1918 at a dormitory in Jefferson City, MO. However, this tragedy took place between two school officials who were arguing over which dishes to use for a social (see The Kansas City Sun, Volume 10, Number 32).

Some children have always managed to have access to a gun. There are repeated cases in early history where students were playing with a gun and it accidently fired or another student purposely brought a gun to school and murdered another because they were arguing over a girl. Bullying has also been the cause for school shootings. The Richmond, Virginia Daily Dispatch reported that on January 21, 1860, a son of Colonel Elijah Sebree, of Todd County, Kentucky, was killed by another student at a school house in Trenton, TN. Some boys made another student believe that son Sebree was threatening him and intended to kill him; it was a joke. However, the other student didn’t know it was a joke. This day the assumed victimized student took possession of a gun, walked up to Sebree in the schoolhouse and shot him.

It’s been stated that the Columbine shootings redefined the actions that took place April 20, 1999 as more than a statement of revenge. It was stated to be a means of protest for bullying, intimidation, social isolation, and public rituals of humiliation. Perhaps perpetrators in subsequent school shootings romanticized the 1999 mission. Findings show that the school shootings that occur today due to tempers, accidents, mental illness, revenge, and other reasons known and unknown, are a repeat of what has occurred for centuries. Perhaps Columbine has just brought all 21st century school shootings to the forefront regardless of the weight of their tragedies because of our increase in knowledge—more media, internet, and smart phones. With all this knowledge we are still divided on the answer to ending the school tragedies. Researched and written by: Charlotte R. Beard Writing Services by Char

DOM DURRETTE

THE SLAP HEARD AROUND THE WORLD

Will Smith slapped Chris Rock during the 2022 Academy Awards Ceremony. What likely shall, or should, be the aftermath of this incident of public assault and battery?

First of all, let it be said, this was not a school yard incident between six-year-old children. Mr. Smith is a mature adult. Second, although subjectivity is always relevant in matters of humor, it can fairly be said that Mr. Rock’s joke would be considered by most people to be in very poor taste.

But is physical violence the proper response to offensive verbal statements? It is hard to maintain that it ever is, at least not in a civilized society. If anyone deserved a slap for what he did, it was Smith, not Rock. What should Mr. Smith have done after this joke went awry? He should have limited himself to a verbal response. Can anyone imagine Pope Francis or Thomas Sowell or Woody Allen or Martin Luther King, Jr. or Albert Einstein or Justice Clarence Thomas or Congressman Ron Paul or the Dali Lama acting like this in such a context? Of course not: these are all civilized people. None of them would get caught dead slapping anyone upside the head in response to a bad joke.

How should the forces of law and order react to this act of initiatory violence? In one view, crimes concern only victims. There is no such thing as a crime against “society.” Under such a legal code, the reaction would all be up to Chris Rock. He could ignore this outrage, he could sue Will Smith for financial damages for this bodily injury, he could demand physical punishment (a jail sentence) for the aggressor. As it happens, he has declined to press charges.

But we do not live under that law. Offenses such as Smith’s, to be sure, are interpreted as a violation of the rights of the victim. But they are also seen as an invasion of “society.” For this purpose, we have attorneys general. They are able to bring charges against criminals even if the victim is willing to forgive the perpetrator, as has now occurred. From the perspective of the logic of this system, how should the attorney general now act?

Clearly, he should bring charges against Mr. Will Smith for assault and battery. Why? For one thing, this was a public slap. Millions of people watched these goings on at the Academy Award Ceremonies, including impressionable youngsters. If no repercussions are visited on Will Smith, the implication taken away by them will likely be that such behavior is justified, acceptable; is, even, to be applauded. The next time someone says something thought to be objectionable, instead of a verbal reply or even a “cancellation,” physical violence will have been rendered more likely. Is that really the direction in which people of good will would wish our country to move? For another, there is a simple matter of justice. The attorney general is put into place to promote that end. If people may slap each other around without negative consequences ordinary fairness will have been denigrated and disrespected.

Then there is the economics of the matter (that is not a typographical error). A basic premise of this discipline is that demand curves slope downward. The desire to engage in criminal behavior is no exception to this primordial insight. If the “price” is high, we will tend to have less of any given item or behavior; if the price is low or non-existent, then more. What is the price of crime? It is punishment. Will Smith deserves a term in prison for his criminal act.

Mr. Smith will be seen by many as a hero for this unwarranted and despicable behavior of his. After all, he attempted to defend the honor of his wife. That is not the result enlightened people would like to see as the conclusion of this sorry event. ECONLIB.ORG

There may be nothing more sweet in this big, wide world than gazing upon photos and videos of your kids or grandkids - with smiles a mile wide - holding up what they think is a huge “monster” fish (even if it’s just a small sunfish or bluegill), or photos of your family all together enjoying a day of fishing and having fun on the water.

If you love fishing and you want to share it with your family, it’s important to put a little planning in up front to help the experience go as smooth as it can to create those lasting memories and those stories that will be told for years of the monsters that were caught, and the big ones that got away.

To help you introduce the ones you love to a lifetime of fishing fun, the folks at Rapala, the legendary lure maker, offer these tips:

TEN TIPS ON HOW TO HAVE MORE FUN FISHING

Remember, it’s all about the little wins - If you have smaller kids or beginners in the family, it’s likely they’ll be pulling up smaller catches. Though their sunfish might look measly to you, they might think it’s a monster! Hint, hint: So should you. Snap a picture to remember the beaming look on their faces and use this opportunity to show them how to conserve fish for future generations.

Let them guide you - When and where it’s safe, let the kids “co-pilot” with you by operating your boat’s trolling motor and guiding you to the perfect spot. Kids want to experience what the adults do. Operating a trolling motor will give them experience in positioning the boat and learning how to approach a spot.

Include your partner/spouse or others in your family in the fun - Families come in all shapes and sizes nowadays. Use fishing as an opportunity to gather in the great outdoors and share some precious time together. Involve your partner or spouse, uncles and aunts, grandparents and close friends who feel like family. A day on or near the water can be a great way for a family to get away from our always-on digital world.

Use good quality gear - Don’t skimp on cheap fishing gear. If your low-quality fishing gear breaks or malfunctions, it could ruin the moment. Good gear doesn’t cost a fortune. Choose gear with a lot of positive reviews and fishing lures, like Rapala lures, which are well-known for catching fish. Similarly, be prepared for accidents that happen and practice patience if a rod tip gets broken, a fishing rod falls into the water, or a fishing lure gets stuck high up in a tree. Stuff happens.

Safety first - Being in or around water means safety comes first. Make sure everyone has lifejackets, stays hydrated, and that you brief the kids on hook and water safety before handing over the rod. Remember to check the weather ahead of time so you can bundle up if it’s a crisp morning, and bring sunscreen and hats if the sun is blazing.

Bring a scale - Practice catch-weigh-photo-release to get the family in the swing of things. You can even have a competition to see who had the heaviest catch! Weigh the fish caught with a Rapala scale, perfect for taking photos that display just how hefty your catch is.

Don’t forget the snacks! - Make everyone’s day and keep spirits high by bringing special treats along for the ride. Ask each family member their favorite snack beforehand to make sure everyone is included. The only ‘hangry’ ones on your fishing trip should be the fish!

Think beyond fishing to get fishing - Tell stories, take pictures, and bring coloring books for the little ones if they need a break. And remember, it’s okay if not everyone wants to fish. Some members of your family may not be too keen on fishing. Make sure they feel welcome and invite them to read a book or do another activity while others in your family are fishing. They will surely want to be there when the others are showing their catches off.

Fishing is about learning - Fishing can be fun, but it’s also an opportunity to be part of nature and experience other precious moments, such as watching other wildlife (turtles, frogs, ducks, squirrels), identifying plants and trees, learning how a boat works, and trying different types of presentations to see which one is most effective in catching fish. If some members of your family really turn on to fishing, feed that passion with videos about fishing. Rapala has more than 600 informative videos on its YouTube channel alone.

Make a video - Take lots of photos and videos of your fishing trips with the family, then create a short movie with iMovie to help them relive the memories of fishing when it’s cold and wet outside. It’ll be fun to make, and the final product will be a memento your family will cherish forever.

Get in

Accessories can be real statement pieces and a way to show your personality in an otherwise classic outfit. Fashion accessories are a great way to spice up any wardrobe, especially one that could use an updating.

Are you interested in updating your appearance, at least in terms of your fashion? If you are, you may not only want to examine the latest in clothing fashion trends, but also the latest trends in fashion accessories. Fashion accessories are rapidly increasing in popularity, particularly in our celebrity-obsessed culture. But many of us still do not know exactly how to use them to our best advantage.

The term “fashion accessories” is very broad and includes a number of products. Just like fashion clothing pieces, accessories come in virtually every size, shape and style under the sun. There are fashion accessories that are designed for children, teens, men, women, petite sized, and plus sized individuals. Below are a few of the major fashion accessory items you might want consider in order to keep your look current and expand your coordination options.

Get in Style Accessorize

The most well known fashion accessory is of course, jewelry. For teenagers and children, fashion jewelry pieces that are popular often include colorful, oversized pieces, as well as charm necklaces or charm bracelets. For men, a popular piece of jewelry often includes large pendant necklaces, many of which display a cross or another popular or meaningful symbol. As for women, popular pieces of fashion jewelry include watches, earnings, rings, necklaces, bracelets, pins, and so forth. Another major fashion accessory that you might want to look at is a new handbag. While purses can also be trendy, it is the handbag that has become a real status symbol and major fashion accessory. They come in a huge array of different styles so it is common to own more than one if your budget allows. In fact, many women out there like to match their fashion accessories, including their purses and handbags, with the clothing that they wear. [Continue on Page 24]

FATHER

This Father’s Day, I’d like to do something that is long overdue. I’m going to praise African-American men.

Not my own father, who had a profound effect on my life, but the countless other black men who strive, even under the most challenging circumstances, to be good dads.

Some people will argue that such men are rare, or that they do not exist.

They blame the violence and other social ills of impoverished communities on the absence of black men in their children’s lives. They pretend as though single-parent homes are exclusive to African-Americans, and use this misinformation to make moral judgments about black women and the men who father their children.

They paint all black men with one broad stroke, as chronic baby-makers who abandon their responsibilities even before their children are born. And they paint the sons of these black men with the same brush, condemning them to repeat the mistakes learned from their birth fathers.

They ignore the accomplishments of men like Barack Obama, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Dr. Ben Carson, baseball great Jackie Robinson, playwright August Wilson, Stevie Wonder and Malcolm X — all raised without their biological fathers in the home and became great men.

I could say that the common stereotype of the black man as a deadbeat father is only a myth. But the truth is much more sinister. It is a lie that was planted the moment black men set foot on American soil as slaves, and it has been cultivated for generations with plenty of help from the media.

Could some black men do a better job of raising their children? Absolutely. But so could some white men, Hispanic men, Asian men and others.

It is indeed troubling, though, that nearly 70 percent of black children are born out of wedlock, according to government statistics. The number far exceeds the 29 percent of white children, 53 percent of Hispanic children and 12 percent of Asian children born in similar circumstances.

But marital status doesn’t tell the whole story.

Statistics also show that 36 percent of white males divorce. But no one questions their relationship with the children they leave behind. The truth is there is no evidence proving that black men who never married their child’s mother care less about their children than white men who divorced theirs.

Five years ago, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a report that debunked several stereotypes about black fathers. According to the report, African-American dads, in fact, spend more time in their children’s day-to-day lives than those in other ethnic groups.

The survey, which was conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, found that 70 percent of African-American fathers who live with young children bathed, diapered, dressed or helped their kids use the toilet every day, compared with 60 percent of white fathers and 45 percent of Latino fathers.

While all fathers, regardless of race, who live away from their children tend to spend less time with them, the study found that black fathers are no less involved in their children’s lives than other dads. More than half of black fathers talk to their kids about their day several times a week or more. That’s a higher percentage than white or Latino fathers who live apart from their children.

The Pew Research Center found similar evidence of black father involvement. Though black fathers are more likely to live apart from their children, 67 percent of them see their kids at least once a month, compared with 59 percent of white fathers and 32 percent of Hispanic fathers.

What can we surmise from this? There are lots of good African-American fathers out there. But there is one, in particular, whom I will never forget.

Two years ago, 36-year-old Michael Watson jumped from a third-floor window of a burning apartment with his baby daughter in his arms. He had tried in vain to rescue his 4-year-old, Madison, and her 7-yearold sister, Shaniya Staples, who were trapped in another room. But by the time he reached them, it was too late.

Watson’s 3-month-old daughter, Melanie, died in the fall. Though Watson survived, he was critically injured with multiple broken bones and a spinal injury. He later recovered.

Outside the smoldering building that morning, Shaniya’s father could not bear to look as firefighters removed his daughter’s charred body from the building. The only thing he had left was the name, Shaniya, tattooed on his arm.

It should not require a story so tragic to prove that black fathers love their children too.

Born in the windy city, Chicago Ill, and raised in the slums of Memphis, Tn. Her entire “Aura” demands the attention of room when she enters.

Love is her strength. Shes culturally strong and deep rooted in peace, truth and faith. After realizing the world was at her window, she relocated to Nashville, Tn.

Modeling became an escape from the “Matrix” for her. Shes worked with reputables photographers, who has dubbed her a “photographers dream”. Her unique style and presence is like no other.Her sign is “Libra”,so she craves balance in all things around her

If there are boundaries she will knock them down.

Sarai Armani is her name.

NASHVILLE MODEL

SARAI ARMANI

PC: VON DONALD