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Jay-Z Shells Out $1M For Nursery At Barclays Center

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Childcare costs are a serious concern for most families in these economic times, but when we’re talking about pop-culture power couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé… well, that’s another matter. The two reportedly dished out a lofty $1 million to rent nursery space for  Blue Ivy Carter at the Brooklyn Nets’ home ground, the Barclays Arena, in Brooklyn, New York.

As with most things, it’s all about perspective. A recent Forbes report states, combined Jay-Z and Beyoncé earned $78 million in a 12 month period. So after all, $1 million is merely a drop in the bucket, when it comes to a workplace nursery for little Blue Ivy.

According to ContactMusic.com:, “Jay Z rents a luxurious basement suite at the arena, which he has kitted out with plenty of toys for Blue Ivy. The basement space isn’t just a kids’ area, though. It seems to be something of an adults’ playground too. Apparently the suite is ‘all glass with a champagne bar and TV screen. Jay lets friends use his digs when he’s not there,” a source told US Magazine.’”

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Details Emerge On New Delhi Gang Rape, Male Friend Speaks Out

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New details on the deadly gang rape of the 23-year-old student in New Delhi have emerged. A male friend, who witnessed the incident has opened up, describing their treatment as horrific and callous.

The 28-year-old man, who asked CNN not to identify him, said he and the woman boarded a private bus heading to a New Delhi suburb, after going to a movie theater on December 16th.

In a telephone interview with Agence France-Presse, the man said the driver made dirty remarks and five other men taunted the couple and locked the doors. He explained:

“They hit me with a small stick and dragged my friend to a seat near the driver’s cabin. Then, the driver and the other men raped my friend and hit her in the worst possible ways in the most private parts of her body… The cruelty I saw should not be seen ever. I tried to fight against the men but later I begged them again and again to leave her.”

The man also told Reuters, their attackers drove them throughout the city for nearly two hours before dropping them below an overpass–saying he was unable to stand and had no clothes.

“Three-wheeler taxis would slow down, take a look at us and move on,” he said. “So would cars and motorcycles. We got no help for nearly 20 or 25 minutes… [When three police vehicles finally did show up], they couldn’t decide among themselves which police precinct has jurisdiction.”

Meanwhile, he said his friend was bleeding profusely, according to CNN. “We need change in every area,” he said.

Since the woman’s death on December 29th, debate has resurfaced over how India handles sexual assaults and the treatment of women.

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Best of 2013: Philadelphia

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Best Chicken and Waffles

Ms. Tootsie’s

Philadelphia’s famous Ms. Tootsie’s keeps it upscale right in the midst of the happenings of South Street. The menu has everyone’s favorite soul food dishes, from homemade macaroni and cheese to collard greens to, most importantly, their famous fried chicken and waffles. Complemented by a fluffy, light Belgian waffle, this anytime delight definitely comforts the soul. 215.731.9045. kevenparker.net

Best First Date Spot

Positano Coast

The word is that there’s been more people than not that enjoy first dates at Positano Coast. The restaurant, crudo, and wine bar has an Italian-inspired lounge that doesn’t feel too romantic for potential lovebirds. Try the zucchini fritters, potato croquettes, and calamari with marinara sauce as you get acquainted in this sexy city standby. 215.238.0499. positanocoast.net

Best Brunch

Relish

A good friend once said, “You haven’t lived until you’ve had the brunch at Relish.” The West Oak Lane eatery makes this weekend ritual an experience to remember. Foodies have been known to finish the plate (as Nana would advise) over mouthwatering sweet potato mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and rotisserie chicken. 215.276.0170. relishphiladelphia.com

Best Sports Bar

Elephant & Castle

Inspired by the British pub scene, Elephant & Castle will tickle your traveling fancy. Although located at 1800 Market Street, the sports bar is filled with London pride. Enjoy world-class brews from all over the globe as you nosh on nachos and watch the Flyers. The curried chicken served over jasmine rice and the fish and chips are fan favorites. 215.751.9977. elephantcastle.com

Best Live Music

Warmdaddy’s

Nothing sets a better mood than cocktails, food, and good music. Warmdaddy’s jazz supper club is a Philadelphia classic —like water ice—located on Columbus Boulevard. Warmdaddy’s embodies the true vibe and culture of the real Southern rhythm & blues experience. If you are looking for a place to relax with that good-ole bayou feeling, Warmdaddy’s has your name on it. 215.462.2000. warmdaddys.com

Best Spa

Mellow Massage Therapy Center

Nothing beats going to a relaxing oasis after a hard day’s work. The Mellow Massage Therapy Center, located on Scotts Lane in East Falls, is the perfect destination for the city sweeper that has swept too much. Experience lavish massage therapy from the professionals who want to make Philadelphia feel fabulous. You don’t want to miss out on getting the Signature Integrated Mellow Massage, it’s the perfect combination of Swedish and deep tissue mas-sages. 215.843.2234. mellowmassage.com


Best Bar

The Palm

Red Velvet, The Palm Punch, and Sweet N’ Sassy are just a few of the fabulous cocktails The Palm Philadelphia offers. We all love a good cocktail once in awhile, and The Palm Philadelphia is the place to go. The Bellevue Hotel location has some of the city’s best bartenders and cocktails, perfect after a long, hard day of work. 215.546.7256. thepalm.com/philadelphia

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Nelson Mandela Has Recovered From Infection

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uptown_mandelarecoveredCourtesty BBC News–Former South African President Nelson Mandela has recovered from a lung infection and surgery to remove gallstones, the government says.

“President Mandela has made steady progress and… continues to improve,” President Jacob Zuma’s office said.

Mr. Mandela, 94, spent almost three weeks in the hospital last month, and has since been receiving treatment at his home in an East Cape province village.

It was his longest stay in the hospital since he left prison in 1990.

Mr. Mandela served as South Africa’s first black president from 1994 to 1999 and is regarded by many as the father of the nation.

His health has been a cause of concern for many years. He first contracted tuberculosis in the 1980s while detained in Robben Island prison.

The former president has been admitted to the hospital on three occasions in the past two years.

He retired from public life in 2004 and has been rarely seen in public since.

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Bethenny Frankel Files For Divorce

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After announcing their separation less than a month ago, Bethenny Frankel is divorcing her husband of 2-years, Jason Hoppy.

According to New York court records obtained by TMZ, early this week, Frankel jump-started the process by “filing a summons for divorce, [which] is the first step in the divorce process.”

Forty-two-year-old Frankel married Hoppy in March 2010. She released a statement saying: “It brings me great sadness to say that Jason and I are separating. This was an extremely difficult decision that as a woman and a mother, I have to accept as the best choice for our family.”

She also tweeted a response to fans: “To those of you who are being supportive: thank you. To those of you who are judging: I totally get it.”

Frankel skyrocketed to fame to after joining BRAVO’s hit reality-TV series Housewives of New York in 2008. She later launched her multimillion-dollar SkinnyGirl brand, landing her the cover of Forbes in June 2011.

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From Fiscal Cliff to Sandy Relief, 5 Reasons Washington Wiles Out

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By Charles D. Ellison

Just blame the Republicans – yeah, of course, that’s the easy part. All the hyper-partisan haranguing and dysfunction in Washington all rests on the shoulders of cranky, Cialis popping White dudes from red states. Think tankers Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein laid it out in a blistering April 2012 diatribe in the Washington Post: “The GOP has become an insurgent outlier in American politics. It is ideologically extreme; scornful of compromise; unmoved by conventional understanding of facts, evidence and science; and dismissive of the legitimacy of its political opposition.”

Not so fast, though. We can’t just put all the blame on eyes-wide-shut and reckless conservatives who appear to rarely blink in the face of no uncertain global financial meltdowns and other forms of apocalypse. That seems just a bit too easy, an easy way out of taking responsibility for the greater mess we’ve put ourselves in which has just about destroyed the common good.

We ended up falling off the edge of the fiscal cliff because of a wild confluence of factors – of which, sure, House Republican idiocy is one. But, it’s not the only one. To a degree, we’re all to blame: us schizophrenic voters who one moment want to cut government spending, but in a flash want to burn down any politician’s house that dares put their hands on Grandmom’s Medicare. We can’t make up our minds – so, how do we expect Congress to do the same? And we bask in our own negative self-fulfilling prophecies; if we have little confidence in Washington, then Washington has little confidence in itself since it is merely a reflection of the public mood. “There is nothing good or bad, but thinking makes it so,” said Hamlet. Taking a moment to take a step back offers the chance at a fuller view and several real-talk reasons why Congress is going from bad to worse.

1. You might want to learn about “Redistricting.” While some might argue it shouldn’t be the top reason, it definitely adds much fuel to the partisan fire on Capitol Hill. This is one of those clever, ancient political techniques in which Masters of Map Mathematics are charged to protect incumbents by, simply, redrawing their districts. You don’t get to vote on it, but your participation in the census every decade gives your state legislature carte blanche to completely change the composition of the Congressional district you live in. One year you were happily voting for that aging, denture-wearing lawmaker who’s been around since your first haircut … and the next year your zip code ends up beside the name of a person you don’t even know.

In short, eight states got more Congressional representation in 2010 as populations grew. Republicans won the Governor’s mansion and state houses in six of those states. They went on a redistricting binge, eager to protect reliably conservative incumbents by making their districts much more conservative than even they could compete with. The result: you now only have 15 Republican Congressional districts that voted for President Obama in 2012 – out of 235 House Republicans. Politically, the majority of House Republicans owe this president nothing – they are in districts where their constituents despise Obama and who yell at them about “not compromising” with that “illegitimate man in the White House who can’t produce a birth certificate.” If you want to keep your cushy Capitol Hill gig that pays $174,000 per year (not to mention the perks), you agree with the crazy lady waving the Tea Party flag in the back of the town hall meeting room.

Oh: Democrats do this, too. So, Congress is now full of people (on both sides of the aisle) from places where constituents are telling them to “fight back,” bird flip and moon their colleagues across the hall.

2. Everyone wants to be on TV. In the warp speed media world that has evolved into a 24/7 cultural fiasco, we all want our own reality show and will settle for just 15 seconds of fame. It goes without saying that nearly every citizen with high speed internet and a blog can become a commentator overnight. Politicians are not exempt from this. If they spent half the time they spent on talk shows actually focused on the business of legislating, we might get somewhere.

The problem is that they don’t. Lawmakers in Washington are seen on any given day shuttling between network studios like a speed dating game, readjusting several sound bites into the talking points of the day. Handlers, typically in the form of overworked press secretaries, are only inches away. It’s a pressing dilemma with no solution: Members should be accessible to the media and we appreciate the transparency. But, is it too much? Should there be a cutoff?

Politics in general are dysfunctional because everyone involved wants a platform, a brand and a talk show. Very, very few people running for elected office are doing it as a “public service” – view anyone gregariously selling you that pitch with a gallon of skepticism. Half the people running for office nowadays are in it as a career booster while the other half wants their fam to see them on cable. Many politicians mistakenly equate evolving influence with how many appearances they make on any given network (the one-terming Rep. Allen West (R-FL) is a textbook example of media crash-and-burn). Nothing gets done in Washington because everyone is busy making statements rather than going brass tacks and drawing up real solutions. We all end up with a government where shit sounds like a Tony the Tiger “grrrreat!”, but nothing is really working or getting done.

3. Civil War Reloaded. No one wants to really say it because most of us want to feel as if we’ve evolved past something that happened 150 years ago. It’s like the fading notion of “post-racial” once Obama was elected; the symbolism feels good, but all we’re doing is sugarcoating the real thing.

Fact of the matter is that we’re seeing replays of our ugly Civil War past – without the guns, bayonets and gutsy head-on charges into cannonballs. Geography is dictating the outcomes of too many debates on Capitol Hill, with Southern lawmakers from places like South Carolina, Texas, Utah and elsewhere becoming fanatically intransigent. It’s a different, more surreal conflict shaped by constant regional splits and geographic gaps heightened by longstanding cultural attitudes. The views of politicians are shaped by where they’re from.

Looking at the fiscal cliff debate, we see that most of the Republicans making noise and ultimately voting against the compromise were from the South, Midwest and West. Of the 14 Senate Republicans up for reelection in 2014, 13 are from states that voted for Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney; 7 are from the South. Or: places where only 20 percent of the population is concentrated. That’s a problem. Rural and exurban minorities are telling the vast urban and suburban majorities what to do and how to spend their money.

We also saw this unfold during the recent super-regional wrestling match over Superstorm Sandy relief funding. Republican lawmakers from former Confederate states balked at the $60.4 billion package for Yankees in the Northeastern states of New York and New Jersey – even though the Northeastern corridor produces 20 percent of national economic output. Some sources point to many Republicans wanting payback over Gov. Chris Christie’s (R-NJ) pre-election betrayal bear-hug of President Obama. Jersey and Empire State Republicans, understandably, bit back hard. The fight exposed an interesting split within a GOP caucus normally priding itself on tight discipline. It showed just how much geography matters.

4. No one wants to be a Leader. No. Nah. Not Really. Mr. and Mrs. Smith who go to Washington always talk about wanting to “lead” when they get there. But once you wave the smell of funkiness from your nose, you realize they are being no more truthful than ticket scalpers outside a playoff game. These days, being loud is easier than leading.

Which is why you won’t hear any House Republicans clamoring to be House Speaker. Boehner might want it, coveting the spot for years since he could remember, but you didn’t find any real opposition to his re-election as Speaker on January 3rd, beyond the distant gripes of a dozen Republicans wearing personal grudges. If you think about it: who really wants to be Speaker? It’s tortuous enough watching the current Speaker being pulled in multiple directions and punched in the face by his own caucus. Leading is the hard part – but, issuing an infinite stream of press releases and showing up for talk show panels is easy pickings. Better to stay in the back of the classroom flinging paper footballs at the substitute teacher.

The lack of leadership bug is nothing new in Washington. But a convergence of the last few reasons outlined above lead to the sense that there is a political vacuum.

5. Lots of insults and talking points, but little policy. It’s a wonder much of anything is getting done when elected officials in Washington are busily preparing the next clever “zing” or “Yo Mama” snap at the opposition. There is quite a bit of “compromise” talk in Washington, but little in the way of practice. For people who sacrifice entire families and peace of mind to reach the pinnacle of political success, they sure are a thin-skinned bunch.

The fiscal cliff debacle displayed a real deterioration in civility in which legislators were more concerned with hurt feelings than with really trying to sort shit out. Hence, one reason why it took us so long to get there – and why, by New Year’s Day, few had the energy to resolve other pressing issues such as the debt ceiling and government spending cuts. Even the President, for all his haughty above-it-all banter about bipartisanship and reaching across the aisle, was getting pricklier by the day. Who wouldn’t, right? But what good does it do you if right at the eleventh hour of negotiating (if that’s what you call it), you’re blasting away on Meet the Press or engineering what amounted to a soft effigy-burning of Boehner in an improvised White House event with supporters? At some point, something has to give and lawmakers should just break out the honey rather than spray vinegar all day.

My edgier side might wallow in cynicism for a moment and tell you that some of it was staged. The President must look cocky and victorious as a way to prove to his liberal base that, see, he really did stand up to Republicans. And Boehner needed some kind of bone for his House dogs to gnarl on, something that said, sure, I told the President (and the Senate Majority Leader) to “go “f***” themselves.”

At the end of the day, however, what’s the civility meltdown and Kabuki theatre really doing for the common good?

CHARLES D. ELLISON is a political strategist, author and Washington Correspondent for The Philadelphia Tribune. He is also host of “Showdown” on SiriusXM 124, Thursdays 7-9pm ET. Ellison can be reached via Twitter @charlesdellison

The post From Fiscal Cliff to Sandy Relief, 5 Reasons Washington Wiles Out appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Best of 2013: New York

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Best Chicken and Waffles

Amy Ruth’s

The Reverend Al Sharpton is famous in many quarters. But did you know that Rev. Al also has the distinction of having Amy Ruth’s world famous chicken and waffles (fried or smothered) named after him? We’ll march to that. Amy Ruth’s serves up its specialty—crispy, piping-hot, well-seasoned yard bird, perched atop sweet, fluffy waffles—constantly. Enjoyed by locals and tourists alike, you can also nosh on a traditional soul food menu (from chicken livers to cheese grits) all night long. The Harlem mainstay, located in the heart of Little Senegal, has ex-tended hours on weekends. 212.280.8779. amyruthsharlem.com

Best First Date Spot

The Nomad Hotel

Whether you sip on classic drinks like the apple-brandy based Star Cocktail or dine on Black Bass in one of its three spaces, The NoMad is the place to get acquainted with someone. The Parlour is sure to impress, with its seasonal specialties and elegant decor, while also alleviating any first-date pressure. Feeling unsure of your date’s potential? Then allow your eye to wander while sampling the cocktails at the Bar, which perfectly blends lively club with luxurious lounge. Perhaps you want to get things heated on the first date? Then sneak a kiss among the tomes in the Library. Wherever you end up—even if it’s in one of the swanky suites—it’s hard to go wrong here. 212.796.1500. thenomadhotel.com

Best Sports Bar

Slate

This Flatiron billiards bar welcomes sports spectators and their pool-loving pals. Concrete floors, futuristic lighting, multiple gaming areas, plus too many flat screens to count lure the masses to Slate. The industrial cool, multilevel event space pulls double duty as the sports bar of choice for the social set. Upstairs, the large bar with a lounge area and small dance floor is where folks go to watch the big game. Downstairs is where foosball, pool, and ping-pong tables abound. There’s no real conversation to be had over the loud music; but if you’re gonna lose your voice, let it be from cheering on the home teams. 212.989.0096. slate-ny.com

Best Brunch

Soco Brooklyn

Impeccably dressed crowds pack Brooklyn’s SoCo restaurant each Sunday afternoon for their sometimes sweet, sometimes savory brunch fare. Red velvet waffles and buttermilk fried chicken are the real winners, while the mac ’n’ cheese—served straight from the skillet—doesn’t fall too far behind. Classic handcrafted cocktails and jazzy tunes spun by an in-house DJ top it all off, making this a brunch spot worth adding to your repertoire. 718.783.1936. socobk.com

Best Live Music

Ginny’s Supper Club At Red Rooster

Going out and listening to music doesn’t always mean cramming into a head-banging club. Sometimes live music in a neighborhood staple is just what the doctor ordered. Red Rooster Harlem houses Ginny’s Supper Club downstairs, a place created to bring back the laughter and mirth of the speakeasies of yesteryear, but with modern touches. Robert Glasper and Arturo O’Farrill are but a few of the artists who have let loose in this sexy-cozy space. After sets, the best DJs keep the party going. 212.421.3821. ginnyssupperclub.com

Best Spa

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental New York

This urban oasis may be located in the heart of New York City, but the essence of this spa is global. Far from the traditional spa experience, here you can partake in a set of specially designed “rituals” encompassing Chinese, Ayurvedic, European, Balinese, Oriental, and American Indian practices. Enjoy the spa’s newest Vitamin Infusion facial with micro-current, ultrasound, and LED light therapy treatments, followed by a collagen mask and cold stone facial massage. The 650-squarefoot VIP Spa Suite, equipped with an elevated bath, fireplace, and massage beds for couples is the pièce de résistance. 212.805.8880. mandarinoriental.com/newyork/luxury-spa
Best Bar

Corner Social

Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster gets the lion’s share of press, but its neighbor, Corner Social, is the coolest kid on the block. With the friendly atmosphere of Cheers; an eager fusion of American fare and soul food; and a global-spanning, genre-bending soundtrack (frequently with guest DJs), this late-night hot spot (the bar and kitchen operate until 2 a.m.) represents yet another hype-inducing direction of Harlem. This Corner is where natives, new inhabitants, and visitors from Brooklyn to Bali can booze (try our favorite Peach & Almonds cocktail) and have fun (remember that?) without the downtown posturing. 212.510.8552. cornersocialnyc.com

Corner Social

Knicks Shooting Guard J.R. Smith Covers Bleu Magazine [PHOTOS]

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UPTOWN_jr_smith_bleu_coverI would have literally squealed when I learned New York Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith graces the cover of Bleu magazine’s winter issue, but I’m sitting at home working, while my apartment is full of repairmen, and coming off as flighty woman isn’t my goal right now. Anyway, enough about me; let’s dish on J.R., one of my favorite players on my favorite basketball team.

Bleu brought out the dapper man that is J.R. to all his fans who know about his prowess on the court, but not necessarily his fly fashion game. In the fashion spread he sports some of the hottest men’s fashion for the late winter/early spring seasons. But J.R. also discusses becoming a rookie at a young age, his brother joining the Knicks, his tattoos, and more in the winter issue of Bleu, which hits newsstands Jan. 8.

Keep clicking for more photos from J.R.’s Bleu shoot and excerpts from the profile.

[Photos: Bleu]

UPTOWN_jr_smith_bleu1On his love of fashion …

“It’s never an off day for me. Even if you have the frumpiest clothes on and you got swag, you can make that shit look good. In the next three years I want to have my own clothing line.”

On his tattoos …

“I don’t think I was addicted. Addicted is a pretty strong word. If you’re addicted you can’t stop. I can stop whenever I want, I just choose not to.”

UPTOWN_jr_smith_bleu2On Michael Jordan as his inspiration …

“Jordan is the greatest of all times. He’s one of the reasons why I go so hard and push myself to be the best because I want to be…not better…but just as good.”

On being a rookie …

“Being 17 with 28, 29 and 30 year old basketball players, there was sort of a maturity aspect to it. I had a great opportunity to start earlier than most people. So while a few guys my age are only four or five years in, this is my ninth year. So it really helped impact my maturity level.”

UPTOWN_jr_smith_bleu3On his brother Chris Smith signing with the Knicks …

“It’s going to be easier for me on the road. When you have seen a group of guys for several months throughout the year, [opposed] to someone who has been there your whole life it’s a totally different situation. I get to play basketball and go to work [with my brother] everyday. So I think it’s going to be real cool.”

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‘Deception’: Whodunit and Why?

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UPTOWN_nbc_deception_tv_showCourtesy of The Root

Deception,” a new drama series on NBC that premieres Monday night, is a typical whodunit with an atypical main character. It stars Meagan Good (Think Like a Man, Eve’s Bayou) as Joanna Locasto, a black, female detective who goes undercover to find out who killed her childhood best friend, heiress Vivian Bowers.

As revealed in its pilot preview that has been featured online, the Bowers are an über-wealthy family that appears to have everything most people want: copious amounts of money, fame and good looks. The family, however, is mired in conflict, duplicity, fear and loathing on so many levels that it is only a matter of time before the public facade cracks and the private hell in which they live is exposed.

Joanna had the privilege (and pain) of growing up with the family while her mother worked as a maid at the Bowers’ estate. FBI agent Will Moreno (Laz Alonso) enlists Joanna to help him find out what really happened to Vivian, whose death is being reported as a drug overdose. Joanna initially resists deceiving the family she loves so much, but Will, who is also her former lover, wears her down, setting a plan into motion to get information on the Bowers that will help solve the crime.

The plan sounds simple enough, except that each person in the family has a perfect motive for the crime. Patriarch Robert Bowers (Victor Garber) welcomes Joanna back into the family with open arms, hiding the fact that Vivian was poised to expose a secret that could have ruined the family business.

Continue reading at The Root

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Hate Crime Victim Had His Own Gun But Showed Restraint

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Cameron Mohammad, 24, of Tampa could have fired back at Daniel Quinnell, a man who attacked Mohammad and his girlfriend in a Lutz, Fla. Walmart early in the morning on Jan. 5, but he showed restraint. With his hand on his gun and blood spouting from his head, Mohammad watched a man who was later identified as Quinnel run into the night.

The confrontation began when Quinnell approached Mohammad and girlfriend from behind as they walked into the Walmart around 3 a.m. last Wednesday. Quinnell asked Mohammad if he was Muslim or from the Middle East. Mohammad replied no, but that didn’t stop Quinnell from firing his gas-powered pellet gun at close range at Mohammad, while saying, “n—– with a white girl.” Quinnell fired at Mohammad 19 more times, but at no point did Mohammad fire or even remove his licensed .45-caliber Taurus pistol from its holster.

“I don’t know. I just couldn’t do it,” Mohammed said to the Tampa Bay Times, while recovering at his Tampa home two days after the attack. “I couldn’t blow this guy away for something he could change later in life. I’m not going to decide this man’s fate.”

Authorities released surveillance video of the shooting, as well as, photographs of the suspect, and arrested Quinnell after two days of searching. Quinnell’s own mother led police to where he was hiding out in a Comfort Inn in Land O’ Lakes, Fla. He was charged with aggravated assault and given a $20,000 bail. However, authorities say they have enough to charge Quinnell, who has been arrested on numerous other occasions for battery and violent threats, with a hate crime, elevating the charge to a first-degree felony.

Today, Mohammad was scheduled to have the two pellets — one embedded in his forehead on the left side and the other just under his jaw — removed.

Mohammad isn’t Muslim or Middle Eastern. His parents are from Trinidad and he is American, having been born and raised in Tampa. He does, however, possess restraint and control few of us, myself included, would have been able to maintain while being shot at close range by a raving racist. After taking two pellets to the neck and head, Mohammad can be seen watching his assailant flee and noticing a bystander who could have been hit if Mohammad had fired after a fleeing Quinnell.

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Happy Bday Blue Ivy: IV Of The Baddest Baby In The Game’s Best Fashion Tips

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UPTOWN_blue_ivy_carter_jayzCourtesy of Hello Beautiful

Happy Birthday Blue Ivy Carter! Roll out the red … or the Blue carpet, put on your best black … or Blue Tie attire and get ready for a birthday celebration unlike any other. The baby to trump all other babies–Blue Ivy has turned one today. Why do we care? Well, because little girl Blue’s parents are the biggest power couple of our time.

Continue reading at Hello Beautiful

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Celebrity Closet Raid: Angela Simmons

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UPTOWN_angela_simmonsCourtesy of Sister 2 Sister

Angela Simmons welcomed S2S Publisher Jamie Foster Brown into her closet to give fashionistas everywhere a look at her fabulous rags.

Of course Angela loves to dress in designs by her talented and famous counterparts, such as Stella McCartney and Bottega Vonetta. However, she also loves rocking fashions she creates.

“The most valuable thing for me in my closet is a dress I designed for my birthday this year. It’s a gown,” said Angela, noting that she’s not afraid to repeat outfits and wear them more than one time.

Angela also showed off some of her favorite handbags, which is an accessory she can’t go without. Her closet—one of them anyway—is full of purses made by Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Chanel and more.

“I need a bag. I have to have a bag,” she said.

Continue reading at Sister 2 Sister

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LOTD: Boycott Of ‘Django’ Action Figures + Michelle Williams Joins Fela! Tour

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In today’s link round-up: Meagan Good and Laz Alonso’s Deception press, Deion Sanders’ legal team calls it quits and much more!

EURweb
Boycott Of ‘Django Unchained’ Action Figures Announced
From the big screen to the toy store, Django is ruffling a few feathers across the nation.

Hello Beautiful
Michelle Williams Of Destiny’s Child To Join Fela! National Tour
“This musical journey is one that I’ve wanted to be a part of since first seeing it on stage in 2008.”

The YBF
Meagan Good Hits The “Deception” Press Circuit With Laz Alonso, Stops By The “Today Show”
NBC’s new murder mystery premieres tonight at 10/9c.

Madame Noire
Deion Sanders’ Legal Team Quits Because He Can’t Pay Them
Womp.

BlackVoices
Mariah Carey’s First Husband Tommy Mottola Says He’s The Reason For Her Success
The record executive says his “controlling” attitude led to Carey’s iconic career.

Posh Glam
10 Reasons Not To Pursue A Man
No. 6: You’re too good for that.

The post LOTD: Boycott Of ‘Django’ Action Figures + Michelle Williams Joins Fela! Tour appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Meet the Woman Behind the 52 Week Savings Challenge

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UPTOWN_52_week_saving_challengeCourtesy of Black Enterprise

When a 47-year-old, 911 dispatcher went to sleep on Dec. 31, 2012, she was like many of us: a hard-working woman struggling to understand why after 23 years on the job she had nothing to show for it. Sluggish from working 53 hours of overtime the two weeks proceeding, Kassondra Perry-Moreland prayed that 2013 would be the year she changed the generational curse in her family, broke her bad habits and finally started saving the way she desired.

When Kassondra woke up on January 1, 2013, her prayer was answered. She stumbled upon an image that outlined a 52 week savings challenge. It seemed simple enough.  Each week you deposit the number of that week into a savings account. For example, the 1st week of 2013, you would deposit $1.00 into the savings account. Week 2, you would deposit $2. Week 3, $3 and so on. The largest deposit ends up being $52.00 and that will be the very last week of 2013. At the end, you would have amassed $1,378. Not bad if savings has always been a point of frustration for you. And if it hasn’t, you could always use it as an additional stream of saving. Kassondra knew she immediately would need to tell a few people to keep herself accountable, so she took to Facebook hoping to get a little support. “If I could get about 10 faithful people like my mom, sister, brother and few friends to keep me in check, I’d hit my goal,” she said.

Well, that was at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 2. In 72 hours, Kassondra’s 52 Week Savings Challenge had become the hub for over 1,000 would-be savers searching for accountability and inspiration.

Continue reading at BlackEnterprise.com

UPTOWN_52_week_saving_challenge

Viola Davis On Her Dream Role: “I Want To Be Sexy”

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UPTOWN_viola_davisCourtesy of Hello Beautiful

Viola Davis is definitely not letting any Hollywood moss grow under her stylish feet. Many of her fans first discovered her in Doubt with Meryl Streep then supported her in The Help. Since then, she appears to be everywhere. Loving wife to actor Julius Tennon and mom to toddler Genesis, the Juilliard trained star is a force of nature.

When you make your Valentine’s Day plans, include Davis’ new film Beautiful Creatures. The film is a love story based on a series of bestselling, young adult, fantasy novels. Viola plays Amma, a character who appears as an elderly maid in the book. Amma is a seer who communicates with her powerful ancestors called “The Greats.”

We visited Ms. Davis on set in New Orleans to talk about the project. The Tony award-winning Oscar-nominated actress is thrilled about Beautiful Creatures and her life right now. Viola has come into her own, insisting that although her character was originally written as a maid, she wasn’t going down that road with Amma.

Continue reading at Hello Beautiful

UPTOWN_viola_davis

LOTD: Beyonce’s Steamy GQ Cover + Oprah Nabs Lance Armstrong Interview

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In today’s link round-up: Fox axes In Living Color reboot, Kevin Garnett’s alleged fighting words to Carmelo Anthony and much more!

Vibe Vixen
Beyonce to Cover GQ Magazine’s February 2013 Issue?
It’s a hot one.

The Hollywood Reporter
Oprah Winfrey Lands Interview With Disgraced Cyclist Lance Armstrong
This will be Armstrong’s first exclusive interview since being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles.

EURweb
FOX: ‘In Living Color’ Reboot ‘Not Gonna Happen’
It was over before it even started.

Madame Noire
Kevin Garnett Allegedly Told Melo LaLa Tastes Like Honey Nut Cheerios
Wait, he said what?

The Frisky
Love It Or Leave It: Kerry Washington’s Checkered Cream Dress?
Our lovely cover girl chooses a daring look for Django Unchained‘s Berlin premiere…

Loop 21
Tyler Perry Among Top Nominees for Razzie Awards
And in this case, that’s not good.

The post LOTD: Beyonce’s Steamy GQ Cover + Oprah Nabs Lance Armstrong Interview appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Best of 2013: Washington, D.C.

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Best Brunch

Brasserie Beck

What’s not to love about brunch? From morning libations to inventive omelet combinations, it’s the meal of (slightly hungover) champions. And it doesn’t get better than the offering at this modern Belgian brasserie, helmed by award-winning chef Robert Wiedmaier. Whether you go savory (Crab Cakes Benedict) or sweet (Lemon Soufflé Pancake), the à la carte menu is sure to please. And beer drinkers rejoice: The restaurant features the area’s most extensive Belgian beer list. Brunch is served weekends, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 202.408.1717. beckdc.com

Best Spa

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas

For the second year in a row, this national franchise tops the long list of DMV spa getaways. Whether you need a mani-pedi, crave a hot-stone massage, or fancy a bit of laser hair removal, you can get it all done in one visit to this 100-years-plus chain. Or purchase a spa series and spread the love over several visits. Either way, you won’t want to exit the red door. 202.362.9890. reddoorspas.com

Best Sports Bar

Grand Slam Sports Bar

Who says hotel bars can’t jump? Whether you love golf or basketball, this sports haven in the Grand Hyatt Washington puts you right in the middle of the action. Check the Web site before you arrive to see what will be on the many HD flat screens. Itching to play? Pick up a Wii controller and test your skills against other sports fans. The full menu includes pub standbys— wings, quesadillas—and more ambitious fare, such as fish tacos and Maryland Crab and Corn Chowder. And being a bar, the beer, wine, and cocktails are free flowing, of course. 202.379.6646. grandslamdc.com

Best First Date Spot

Teaism

This local chain of teahouses has been offering the perfect atmosphere to fall in like since 1996. The laid-back vibe combined with the highlights of a traditional tea ceremony and the ever-changing gallery provide natural conversation starters, and take the awkwardness out of getting to know each other. Besides several types of loose tea, each restaurant carries an extensive menu; order a couple bento boxes, or share several small dishes and watch the sparks fly. 202.835.2233 teaism.com

Best Bartender

Danni Ruth, Bar 7

From speakeasies to craft beer breweries to places where you can catch every game, the DMV has no shortage of bars. But as any happy hour regular knows, it’s the bartenders who transform bars into beacons—which is precisely what Danni Ruth does daily at Bar 7, last year’s “Best After-Work Cocktails” winner. “Danni has infectious charm, and an uncanny ability to entertain and serve consumers,” says Arlene Wube, operations director. It’s all in a day’s work for Danni, who says, “Thanks to all my customers. It’s always a pleasure interacting with old and new faces. And I hope I can continue bringing smiles to your faces.” 202.347.4343. bar7dc.com

Best Chicken and Waffles

Crème Cafe & Lounge

This U Street restaurant serves an extensive Southern-influenced brunch menu, but patrons belly up to the high top tables for the chicken and waffles. “We start with a great recipe, but our dish is unique because we have great hands that prepare it fresh. We always strive to make it memorable,” says operations manager Ezra Tilaye. And no visit is complete without a trip to the bar, where innovative drink combos invite you to stay well beyond brunch time; the Mango Heat serves up Hangar Chipotle Vodka, Cointreau, mango, and fresh lime juice. Brunch is served weekends, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 202.234.1885. cremedc.com

Best Live Music

Blues Alley

This supper club, nestled in Georgetown since 1965, has hosted many contemporary jazz greats, from Dizzy Gillespie to Nancy Wilson. Whether you are in the mood for national acts, like En Vogue or saxophonist Najee, or want to catch new talent, there’s no place in the city where soulful music takes center stage like at Blues Alley. Even the food is fluent in jazz, with a heavy Creole influence flavoring the seafood plates. 202.337.4141. bluesalley.com

Best of D.C. rotator

Music Tidbits: Rihanna’s Grammy Gig, 2013 BET Honors Performers Revealed & More

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Check out the latest happenings around the music world…

  • Rihanna has been confirmed as one of the first selected artists to hit the stage at this year’s Grammy Awards. She will be joined by Taylor Swift, The Black Keys, fun., and Mumford & Sons at the 55th annual event. This time around, the “Diamonds” singer is nominated for three awards which include Best Pop Solo Performance (“Where Have You Been”), Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (“Talk That Talk” featuring Jay-Z) and Best Short Form Music Video (“We Found Love”). The 2013 Grammy Awards air live Sunday, Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. EST on CBS.
  • The 2013 BET Honors announced its roster of performers for this year’s event as well. Erykah Badu, Wayne Brady, Brandy, Mint Condition, Jimmy Jam, Alicia Keys, Ledisi, the SOS Band and Terry Lewis will all be in attendance to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of the chosen honorees. Chaka Khan, Halle Berry, Lisa Leslie, Bishop T.D. Jakes and legendary music executive Clarence Avant will be recognized for their achievements in their respective careers, as actress Gabrielle Union serves as host. The 2013 BET Honors will take place at the Warner Theater in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 12 and will air Feb. 11.
  • According to Mariah Carey, her beef with fellow American Idol judge Nicki Minaj has been squashed. In a recent interview with Barbara Walters, the 42-year-old diva said that while there were a few bumps in the road (like viral jewel), the two have settled their issues and are focused on the talent. “For me, ultimately this is about the kids, the contestants,” Carey said. “I’ve been blessed to live my dream more than half my life. So, I want to help give that back to someone else.” At the 2013 Winter TCA tour in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, Carey once again addressed the heated dispute and fallout, stating, “Time heals all wounds.”
  • After causing quite a stir earlier this month with her views on same-sex marriage and the legalization of marijuana, Fantasia is getting back to the music with her fourth studio album, The Side Effects. The American Idol alum revealed the new project, due March 13, during an interview with Steve Harvey. “It’s my baby ’cause I finally got to write,” she said, describing the album as “rock-soul.” Listen to Fantasia’s lead single “Lose to Win” below!

The post Music Tidbits: Rihanna’s Grammy Gig, 2013 BET Honors Performers Revealed & More appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Rob Parker Out At ESPN

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Courtesy of EBONY.com

ESPN will not renew its contract with commentator Rob Parker, who was suspended last month following remarks he made on “First Take” in which he questioned Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III‘s “blackness.”

“Rob Parker’s contract expired at year’s end. Evaluating our needs and his work, including his recent RG III comments, we decided not to renew his deal,” an ESPN spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday.

During a Dec. 13 episode of “First Take” on ESPN2, Parker was discussing Griffin’s answer to a question about Griffin’s role as an African-American quarterback. In questioning Griffin’s “blackness,” Parker cited that Griffin has a white fiancée and is rumored to be Republican.

Continue at EBONY.com…

Robert Griffin III, Rob Parker

More Than 50 Injured In New York City Ferry Crash

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Authorities say more than 50 people were injured when a ferry crashed into a New York City dock Wednesday morning. One person is being listed as in critical condition and is being treated at a nearby hospital.

The accident occurred around 8:45 a.m. as the The Seastreak ferry slammed into Lower Manhattan’s Pier 11. Witnesses say several passengers were flung from their feet when the vessel crashed and injured parties were carted away on stretchers by emergency personnel.

While the cause of the crash is still unknown, the National Transportation Safety Board said it’s sending a team to investigate the incident.

The ferry, which provides daily service between New Jersey and Pier 11 near Wall street, carried a reported 343 passengers and five crew members during the time of the crash.

 

 

 

Ferry crash
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