More Drama After the Sopranos!!!

One of the most talked about and followed shows that ever hit the (originally aired on) HBO network has to be The Sopranos, an award-winning American television drama series created by David Chase. It is a show that gives you an inside glimpse on the life and times of a crime family that is connected with other crime families and the stress that goes along with holding down an empire.

Tony Soprano is a regular guy with the irregular responsibility of keeping the violent less violent than they truly are with seemingly fairly little success. He suffers from violent outburst which is less than a good role model for non-violence. Throughout the seasons we have learned that there is truth to the old saying, “there is no honor among thieves”.

If you watch the news that’s being broadcast on major networks worldwide you know that the creator David Chase of the popular mob drama is being sued by a former New Jersey municipal court judge Robert Baer's who claims his ideas helped Chase create The Sopranos plot and he is seeking both credit and compensation in a twice dismissed five-year legal battle.

Mr. Baer claims that in 1995 he had an idea for a TV show about organized crime in New Jersey years before the show was even brought to the TV screen. He suggested it to Mr. Chase and gave him a crash course on the North Jersey mob. Baer says that he arranged meetings with police detectives and other experts and escorted him around mob sites in the Newark-Elizabeth area of north New Jersey.

Chase called the claims "grossly distorted, petulant and self-aggrandizing", and said Mr. Baer provided a "modest service", arranging to introduce him to individuals who were experienced in certain facets of organized crime.

It is true that certain people in the movie industry aren’t exactly pay friendly and there is a lot of hocus pocus in the business. It could be for this reason that despite the fact that his lawsuit has been twice dismissed he has managed to get those dismissals overturned and a jury at the federal court in Trenton, New Jersey, has been sworn in.

What do you think the outcome will be? Will three be the charm or will this be the third dismissal? Tell us what you think just hit the comment button and reply.

By Aalim Elitou

On the Set of I Am Legend

Finally the movie is here! The crew at iMAG was on the set as people tried to escape New York. I Am Legend, has become one of the most anticipated movies of 2007. The movie is an American post-apocalyptic science fiction horror film directed by Francis Lawrence that stars none other than Philly’s own Will Smith. Smith plays Robert Neville, possibly Earth's only survivor of a man-made virus. He works to create a cure but is stalked by nocturnal mutant survivors of the plague.

It is the fourth film adaptation of Richard Matheson's 1954 novel I Am Legend; following 1964's The Last Man on Earth, 1971's The Omega Man and 2007 direct-to-video I Am Omega. Warner Bros. Pictures began developing I Am Legend in 1994, and various actors and directors were attached to the project, though it did not enter production due to budgetary concerns. I Am Legend entered production in 2006 in New York City. Filming for I Am Legend was mainly on location in the city including a $5 million scene at the Brooklyn Bridge is the most expensive scene filmed in the city to date. (wikipedia.org)

I Am Legend was released December 14, 2007 in the United States and it brought back fond memories. We first began to film when the many people of NYC were trying to escape the island because of the plague that was vastly spreading. As we reached the Brooklyn Bridge, we had to wait for rescue helicopters that were suppose to help everyone evacuate but to our surprise no one was leaving.

Helicopters and the waterfront piers are blown up in order to keep people back as the risk of infection is too easy to spread and leaving the civilians seemed to be in the best interests to the government.

There were more than 1,000 extras who endured the weather just to be a part of this mass production and interestingly enough, the movie American Gangster, the film featuring Denzel Washington which was released close to the end of the year was being filmed at the same time in Harlem. There were many people who were a part of both movies that week.

We had the opportunity to meet with Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith (who is not featured in the film). Will Smith is a showman and a great lover of his fans and the people that he works with. He performed and joked for more than an hour. His showmanship lifted the moods of the people who had to get ready for more long hours in the very cold weather.

This movie thus far is a must see and the reviews have been nothing but positive from the performance of Will Smith to the overall production of the film. When you go to check it out, let us know if you spotted the iMAG team!!!

What did you think of the movie???

By Aalim Elitou

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

The New Bonnie and Clyde Learn the Art of Cheating

The new Bonnie and Clyde darlings (named by Philly police) of credit card and fraudulent identity theft have made international news with their recent arrest after stealing a great deal (close to $100,000) of money from their neighbors who live in the upscale condominium complex in Philadelphia, PA.

How did they do it?
According to investigators, Jocelyn Kirsch, 22, a Drexel University student and Edward Anderton, 25, a University of Pennsylvania graduate, obtained most of the mailbox and door keys of their neighbors. That allegedly allowed them to get personal information and steal their neighbors' identities. Police said they don't know how the couple was able to obtain all of the keys to the mailboxes and condo units. "What they may have done with the keys is maybe enter and place that software on unknowing parties computers, and then wait to recoup whatever information they could from that software," Sweeney said.

They were living the high life. They vacationed in Europe, the Caribbean and North America.
But police said their high living was financed with other people's money -- that of several of their neighbors at the upscale Belgravia Condos in Center City.

"These are two young people who have been given substantial gifts in life," said Philadelphia police Detective Terry Sweeney. "They're like a parasite that infested themselves in the building and then, basically, spread throughout the building," Sweeney said.

Authorities became aware of the alleged operation which they said had been on-going for about a year when a woman in the condo building was called by a UPS store about a package she said she didn't ordered. When Anderton and Kirsch came to pick it up, the police were waiting.

Police confiscated real and fake drivers' licenses, credit cards, nearly $18,000 in cash, ID-making machines, a book titled 'The Art of Cheating' and software that can be used to get information from a computer.

They were arrested on some charges and released on bail but are expected to face additional counts soon. But there is more bad news for the couple. It appears they're the focus of multiple federal investigations as well.

The most interesting thing about this story for iMAG was that the book, “The Art of Cheating” came across our desk in October for review. This little book has ways of cheating listed from how to fake an orgasm, cheating on a diet, getting away with perjury, calling in sick at work, getting away with tax fraud, getting away with office theft, and getting out of paying your way.

What would make a person write such a book?
Well according to the author, Jessica Dorfman Jones, “Whether we want to admit it or not cheating is an inescapable part of the human condition.” And although most may agree, others feel that her book contributes to the weakened society that is built on “fake it till you make it” and “good guys finish last”. Whether it be your career or just finish first in a contest, this little book is suppose to assist you in being the best in cheating that you will ever be. There are many people that are looking for ways to get the upper hand because of the benefits that await those that get to the top.

Who would buy this book?
That would depend on the individual. From employee to employer; student to teacher; if a person is looking to lie and connive their way to the top then this book is a great how-to guide. If a person is looking for the best way to get out of work then they will purchase the book for the best schemes but keep in mind that the boss may be reading it also. The book becomes valuable to not only the con but also the one that is the possible victim because they are ahead of the game.

Is the author condoning cheating?
From the title you would think that the author is praising the art of cheating and to some point this writer would agree but it is very interesting to note that she has added a section for those who may be conned to look out for particular signs so that they would know when they are bait on a hook. In addition, there is a section within each chapter in which she gives you the downfall of the potential crime which should make a person think before they commit to their plans and “Would I Lie” tells of cheaters who were caught and the consequences of their actions. Therefore it is truly hard to determine if she is on the side of the criminal or the victim, but one thing is for sure and that the person reading this book has an option and they will come out a either a great asset to society or a menace.

Overall, this book will certainly bring awareness to everyone who reads it just ask the new Bonnie and Clyde of the 21st century, and karma is definitely a kick in the ass.

What do you think of the book? Do you think that a book on cheating is wrong? Do you think that the book is a benefit or a curse? Share your thoughts...

Heather Elitou- Reviewer

The Truth About Grant Money and Non-Profits

This article is dedicated to anyone in the community who wants to open up a non-profit corporation and obtain grant money.

A non-profit corporation which many call “nonprofit organization” is a corporation formed to carry out a charitable, educational, religious, literary or scientific purpose. A nonprofit can raise much needed funds for important causes by receiving public or private grant money or donations from individuals or companies.

Everybody has great ideas for their non-profit corporation. They want to turn their vision into a reality; they want to open a wayward home for girls and boys; they want to feed, clothe and shelter the homeless; they want to stop domestic violence and stop people from going to jail.

These ideas are all great but are these people setting themselves up for failure?

What is the truth about grant money? Could it be that there is “no grant money” for certain people to open a non-profit corporation? Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that there is no grant money available for non-profit organizations. But what I am saying is that there is very little grant money available for certain people and certain purposes. Everyone should do extensive research before opening their doors.

Grant money is extremely hard to retrieve because it comes from the state and federal government; therefore, it’s closely monitored. Even after filling out stacks of paperwork about your potential goals for your non-profit, it’s like winning the lottery. And if you are one of the lottery winners, there’s no guarantee that you will ever win it again.

You have to dig for this money and many people are not willing to do that. They are also not willing to pay others to do it either. Others will tell you they will dig for it for a fee only to get your money and your hopes up and leave you at the end with nothing.

Once you accept funds with your 501C3, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), (http://www.irs.gov/) aka “the government” has a hold on you.

The IRS is not there to assist you! The IRS is in a position to: 1) audit you at anytime, 2) close down your non-profit venture, or 3) send you to jail if they feel like it.

People who work in the non-profit sector make very little money and continue to have that “poor man’s mentality.” The only action plan they have is to open up these non-profit organizations and start to beg for grant money.

The grants that are passed out to a very few non-profits are so small that when these organizations run out of money, they refuse to pay their employees for 90 to 120 days.

Non-profits are just that not-for-profit. That means chances are you are going to end up spending your own money to make your non-profit work.

The options should not be to open a “not-for-profit” corporation but it should be to open a “for-profit” business.

The only way you will succeed with a non-profit corporation is to write a business plan and run it like a business.

Many people have actually put their lives on hold because they seriously think they can receive grant money. So in other words they have set themselves up for failure.

No one should ever depend on grant money to open or run a non-profit corporation.

Cathy Harris is a motivational speaker and business consultant. She is the author of book series “How To Take Control of Your Own Life” (http://www.howtotakecontrol.com)

Literary Review- Style A to Zoe by Rachael Zoe

Title: Style A to Zoe “The art of Fashion, Beauty, & Everything Glamour”
Author: Rachel Zoe with Rose Apodaca
Genre: Fashion
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: October 2007
Cost: $24.99
Page Count: 183
ISBN- 10: 0-446-57999-8

I love fashion and everything that has to do with it! In addition, I love good books. So when iMAG received Style A to Zoe from famous fashion stylist Rachel Zoe I was all over it! It was a fashionista’s dream come true. I had to be the one to write the review because fashion is what I love and I am always open to learn more.

I had no idea the amount of people that Rachel styled and you get the point when you see the images of celebrities like Naomi Campbell, Cameron Diaz, Keira Knightley, Anne Hathaway, Joy Bryant, Lindsay Lohan and many others sporting her styles. She even had the pleasure of styling Mary J. Blige.

Style A to Zoe gives a lot of great ideas such as:

*Five glamour essentials for under $50
*Day-off essentials
*How to know when it is time to let something go
*How to pimp up your closet
*Emergency fixers each stylist should have

Some of my favorite chapters are:

Introduction: Dream On where she tells you how she got onto the stylist road. I also liked to play dress up and see what I could do with my clothes to make them look different. I get a lot of magazines and gaze at the images just as Zoe describes. I connected with that chapter

Chapter 6: Behind Closed Doors tells you how to make your house represent you! In this chapter she incorporated a nice little segment about how to organize your living.

In the last chapter she gives you the A to Zoe the important things to remember!

Zoe’s personal touch to the book gives her an A+. I felt like I was speaking to my own personal stylist one on one. This book is definitely the book for you if you need help looking chic, what to wear, making your home match you and primping your closet.

Take out the time and read this book and be sure to tell me what you think…

Tweety Elitou,
Writer, Reviewer & Total Fashionista

Book Review- I Stand Accused

Monica Frazier Anderson
Publisher: TyMac Books
Copyright 2007
Cost: $12.95
Pg: 242
ISBN: 978-0-9786378-1-1

If books were food and I was starving to death, then I Stand Accused would definitely be the meal to fill me up. I was really surprised at how good this book read. I can honestly say (and I don’t say this about many books) that I would read it again and again.

James Adams is the eldest brother of eight siblings, he’s a successful optometrist, he has a nice home a good dog and somewhat of a close family but the past has come to shake up his life.

James has a total of eight brothers and sisters and he tries to look out for them all but some of them just can’t be reached and others need a push to get on the right track. He already has his family to worry about then he meets his first love Sooty Mae...they are great at first, but then drama unfolds.

James is having nightmares about a past he just can’t get rid of and in order to fix this problem he has to finally look back and face what he did, but it isn’t easy. Some parts of his childhood he just can’t remember like who and how his father died. While he is trying to figure it out, family problems arise and since he’s the eldest he has to fix the problem. His youngest sister Bethany comes home drunk often, and his sister Tina is having the same nightmares that he is having. In addition to all of this a woman is spreading a rumor that he is gay.

James has to buckle down and address these problems before they overwhelm him. With the help of his family and best friend Ren, he makes it through and becomes a better person.

I Stand Accused was funny and entertaining. It had drama, and love. I couldn’t put the book down I just had to know what happened next. This is definitely a book to grab off the shelves.

Agasa Elitou-Reviewer

Fashion Week- Is Philly the New Fashion Week Location?

Everyone wants to go to fashion week! Although Philly is known for its artistic talents, it has never been known as a fashion mecca. You have to go to New York for that. As of lately, Philly has been doing it new and wild. Thanks to entertainment dudes making a name in the City of Brotherly Love, Fat Boy Hype Entertainment has listed some of the hottest fashion names in Philly and New York along with new designers to put on some of the hottest fashion shows you could every see.

Philly Fashion Week was held in the courtyard of City Hall which had an awesome appearance to onlookers. The set up was multihued with flashing lights and a long black runway for the models to strut their stuff. It was thus far one of the best thus far tried in Philly.

The highlights:
*A portion of the proceeds was given to One.org

*Miasha author of Mommy’s Angel was there giving away her books
*There were several great fall collections especially Anthony Eastwick
*There are plans for one next year
*Jade Cole of America’s Next Top Model is really nice in person

The low points:
*Designers had too many fashions displayed causing the show to last too long
*Jade, who was to serve as host came after the event
*Some of the models did not look like models including the one that walked too slow and drunkenly

List of designers at the show:
Teranchula, Anthony Eastwick (stylist to Mary J. Blidge), James Nelson (stylist to Jill Scott), DivaSperg of Philadelphia, Candy Cane, Seiman Furs, Ebony and many others.

Since this is the first of many to come, I would say that it was a good show and it can only get better with time.

Check out my my iView with Jade Cole!

What is life like after America's Next Top Model?

It's been great. The exposure was great and that was the best part of the show. I have been pushing myself with modeling and acting. I am living my dream traveling around the world.

How do you like being home in Philly?

I love it, this is my hometown even though on the show they made it seen as though I was from New York which where I currently live, I always represent Philly.

What are you doing now?

I have been traveling a lot because it opens my third eye and I love meeting new people and everyday I write.

What advice do you have for young ladies that are interested in becoming models?

Be sure that you educate yourself about the business because there are a lot of bad people out there. Stay focused and be sure to ask questions.

iView & Review by Tweety Elitou

Literary Review- The Vixen Diaries by Karrine Steffans

Title: The Vixen Diaries
Author: Karrine Steffans
Genre: Autobiography
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publishing Date: September 2007
Price: $24.99
ISBN-10: 0-446-58226-3
Pages: 182

When Karrine Steffans released her first book “Confessions of a Video Vixen”, I didn’t get it. Like others I assumed that the book was written to expose the lifestyle of some of the African Americans elite in the entertainment industry. To a degree I still feel that way.
The idea served as harmful to families of these famous people and surely caused a lot of heartache and disappointment (especially towards the author).

On several occasions because of the international controversy within the pages of her confession, Karrine appeared on several media outlets explaining her reasoning behind her book. She has stated that she had concern for young women who thought that the lifestyle of rappers, videos, and bling wasn’t all that it was cracked up to be. Being a video (ho) was costly and could put you in danger, not to mention that it could also ruin your reputation causing doors to close to your future. I thought that listening to her explanation (especially when she appeared on Oprah) and experience made since. What we do is for a reason—be it good or bad, but you can always bet that the cause and effect will always follow.

On September 25, 2007 Karrine Steffans followed up her story with The Vixen Diaries which is much different than her first release. This book shows the change of a young girl who made foolish and costly mistakes to a woman who has learned from her past and is moving forward into a better day. She touches on how she felt that she was attacked by many journalists, including Tyra Banks about her past lifestyle while forgetting to understand the message in her book. When it came to Tyra, Karrine was annoyed by her hypocritical comments as she has stated that Tyra mingled in the same circles of men naming her “Hollywood Bounce”.

Karrine goes on to talk about the love of her life Bill Maher who she separated from but she still seeks his guidance and wisdom. According to Karrine he is the one who helped her greatly in her transition from vixen to business woman.

She has also cleared up the many rumors about some of the people that she was said to be linked with intimately and some of the new friendships that were founded after the release of her book.

The most interesting story was that of her and Bobby Brown. She gives us information on a man that is good at heart and troubled in sprit. One must wonder what will happen to this fallen artist after so many blows. Will he ever be the star that he once was? Will he change his ways? Will he get over the divorce between him and Whitney in a healthy way? We could only hope and pray, but according to this book, prayers are in vain.

At some points I understand Karrine and felt her frustration behind being truthful because when people ask for the truth they usually want it sugarcoated. At other times I felt like, what did she expect? When you are known as a person of betrayal because they trusted you enough to confide in you the details of their life and you put it on paper, people are going to be pissed and you are going to wear labels.

One must ask, in the book that was previously written, did she not think of the families of these men? According to Vixen Diaries, she was making a point and that is definitely understood but to whose expense? Was there another way that she could have taught the lessons without naming names?

Overall, The Vixen Diaries is a very good journaling of life after “Confession of Video Vixen”. She is not exposing anyone, but she does share life lessons in a different manner which includes naming names. She has lived with the Scarlet let A on her chest (or, V, W) for now and she hopes that one day it will finally fade and she is seen as the new woman (not the young girl) that she once was. Everyone deserves a second chance. Karrine has used her success and made changes to help other and create a better life for her and her son.

My question is this: if we are able to forgive others beyond their sins, isn’t she too worthy of forgiveness?

I would love to hear your opinion on the book.

Heather Elitou-Reviewer

Literary Review-Torn

Author: Keisha Ervin
Publisher: Triple Crown Production
ISBN: 978-0-9778804-9-2
PUB Date: 2007
Pages: 384

Torn is about two lovers who are so in love with each other that they cheat (sounds crazy right). Mo has been in love with Quan, her hustler boyfriend for ten years and she would do anything and everything for him and says that she can’t picture life without him.

Quan loves Mo but temptation comes knocking at his door numerous times and he never ignores the call. Mo knows that Quan has and is cheating on her because of his late night arrivals in their bed, the smell of perfume that she doesn’t wear, and not answering her calls.

Finally, with all of the evidence that she has Mo confronts him about his wrongdoings, but the arguments usually end up with them in between the sheets and her trying to forget what he had dome to hurt her.

Now Mo wants to prove her point and pain to Quan by sleeping with his best friend West, but that doesn’t work… Quan continues to cheat and West has been hospitalized.

What made this book most frustrating is that Mo is supposed to be an educated lady who doesn’t take crap from anybody. He family and friends tell her that Quan is not worthy of her time but she stays with him.
What stood out most in the book is that although there looked as if there was no sanity coming from Mo, I realized that the author was showing how complicated love can be and how complicated we make it. You can love a person so much but that doesn’t mean that they will love you the same way.

Mo and Quan’s have a yo-yo love that continues through most of the book which left me dizzy. The book was definitely a good effort, but it wasn’t my favorite. Again the book had a message that was appreciated, the author is very detailed in writing, but from this reviewer’s opinion, relationships are what we make it and to go along with so much suffering from someone that does not appreciate you is a bad direction to travel.

Agasa Elitou- Reviewer

Book Review- Forever My Lady

Lately we have received a lot of good books from our literature affiliates but recently we received a novel that was an excellent read. Jeff Rivera’s, Forever My Lady is one of the best youthful novels written for the year. Forever My Lady main focus is on young love and what happens when life is not guided properly.

Dio Rodriguez is a seventeen year old that lives in Las Vegas and is a member of a gang that he considers his family. His mother is an abusive drunk and she taking care of his little brother who he fears for; his father is no longer with them. There is one person that he has a lot of love for and that is his childhood sweetheart Jennifer.
Jennifer is the one person that can see through his tough exterior and knows that he is a good person brought up in a bad situation and he needs to do what he can to turn his life around.

Jennifer doesn’t have an easy life either. She is verbally abused by her parents and when she feels that she can’t take it anymore, she becomes a prostitute who works for a pimp named Wiggie who is definitely not the kind of guy you want to be a friend or an enemy. When Dio confronts Wiggie and says that she will no longer be working for him, Wiggie mouths off and Dio decks him pretty good and threatens his life. This is something that Wiggie will never forget.

A tragedy occurs and Dio finds himself in a correctional boot camp and told that he must turn his life around if he ever wants to see the rest of the world again. While away, he meets people who he will become friends with and they will teach him valuable lessons in love and life choices. He meets enemies that will teach him through their wicked ways that life is no worse for one man than it is the other, and that revenge only amounts to karma.

There are so many thoughts that go through the head of Dios that you almost feel like you are in his head. You feel the love that he has for his lady Jennifer; the disdain that he had for his mother; the questions that he has about the other campers, and his strength and determination to get out of the camp but will he make it?

Again, this is one of the best stories thus far for the year 2007 and time is ticking. You can appreciate that the book did not just focus on sex, deceit and backstabbers but it focused on real life problems that affect us all. That’s not to say that backstabbers aren’t real life problems it’s just not the only problems that surround us.

This book is highly recommended for teenagers.

Be sure to check for the interview with Jeff Rivera coming soon. In the meantime get the book and tell me what you think.

iView with Jeff Rivera

You have a very interesting cultural background, can you tell the readers about it?

Sure, my stepfather is Filipino which is why my last name is Rivera. Both my grandmother's were half-American Indian and half-Black American, my cousins are Puerto Rican so I guess that makes our family a big mutt United Nations mix!

What made you decide to write about the issue of teenage gangsta love?

I'm very passionate about telling stories about people that are overlooked and wouldn't get a second chance... one of those groups are those involved in gangs. When I was growing up I always had friends that were involved with gangs in someway, but I never judged them and saw them as human beings first. So in return, they acted like human beings not the gang stereotypes that other people saw them as. Love is universal, I don't know what it is. I guess I'm a hopeless romantic at heart.

Why do you think that this topic was important?

I feel like even though I don't come from that background, I've been chosen in some spiritual way to tell their stories. To let people know that at the heart of things we're all the same.

The idea that most of the conversation between Dio and Jennifer via letters made it a good read, why did you choose this style?

Thanks, well I think is some way it was a subconcious decision because that's how my mom and stepdad met and communicated... through letters. He was in the Philipines and she was in America. She would read us those letters when we were little before she actually met him in person.

When you wrote about Dio, what did you think of him?

Well since Dio is very much a part of me and my little brother I didn't judge him. He was always a human being that happened to be in a gang.

Was Dio based on someone that you know?

Yes, Dio is based on my friend Claudio, myself, my brother and my friend Sergio.

The ending had an interesting twist, do you think it will lead to a book two?

That's my hope-- that the story continues into a trilogy.

What character was your favorite character to write about?

I LOVED writing Louise because she was so salty and down to earth. She's my favorite. The one I had the most fun writing.

What are your plans for 2008?

My plans are to crank out book after book and to continue on my school book tour throughout the year. I'm having a great time speaking to young people and meeting fans. Many of the schools are making the novel required reading.

Will there be other books?

Definitely, besides the sequels I'm working on other stories some urban, some historical but always with an element of love.

Be sure to check out Jeff's website at: www.jeffrivera.com

Agasa Elitou-Interviewer & Reviewer

Through the Eyes of an Artist- Tamarah Ynise

Art is an intellectual journey as well as an emotional expression of the human soul. Many artists are celebrated for their artistic/intellectual contributions while others are a best kept secret. No matter how intellectual art may be, it is not limited to instruction and learning as its only occupation in life. Because art is poetic, it can be very entertaining as well as informative. The art form that appeals to you will most depend on your interests. Just recently I have found that the only thing more interesting than art is the artist herself.

Tamarah Ynise is on the rise! She is a young revolutionary artist that is focused and involved with social uplift. Even though she has written a book of haikus titled, “Liquid Verbs” and her poetry book “Reservoir in My Mouth” we at iMAG were most attracted to her visual abstract poetry which is sure to make her one of the most sought after artist in Philly.

Growing up in Central NJ, she was given a gift by her brother that would not only initiate her inner artist, but would also last to this very day... a black book to bare her young soul. This gift of love helped mold her poetic expression. For Tamarah, poetry has been a past time passion since she was a tween and she was grateful to answer her calling at eighteen. She later advanced her expression and added visual abstract art to her repertoire.

About 12 p.m. on a cool sunny Friday, I walked into the coffee shop in the historical Germantown area of Philly she was already there bright and filled with interesting conversation. We greeted each other warmly, sat down, talked, and got comfortable before we began the interview. We talked about everything from art, religion, politics, psychology, and healing. After getting acquainted, it seemed that I had accomplished my goal and we were comfortable enough to begin our interview.

Join me as we take a look at the world through the eyes of an artist. I think that you will find the view quite interesting.

How long have you been creating art (visual)?
I started in 2003. I never took an art class and the best that I was able to do was color within the lines (laughter). A good friend of mines took me to an art store and said that I should try creating art and the next thing I know it, I was creating visual art. As far as poetry, I have been doing it since I was a little girl.

Do you think your creativity is spiritual?
Yes because if people ask me to draw a tree, it does not come out like a tree. But when I let the words flow and my mine vision, then it comes out divine. Just like with the poetry. When I am done, I am in awe.

How do you feel when you have completed your work?
I feel that since of accomplishment, that wow which makes me feel good.

How do you keep your art fresh?
I constantly challenge myself with everything that I do.

Which artists do you admire and why?
I admire Maya Angelou because there is so much depth to who she is from a singer to a motivational speaker and the belief that she has in our people, and the youth. I remember when I was in college and we had the chance to go to the main campus and see her. Maya Angelou came in and I was in such awe. I felt her every words the entire time! I was shaking because it was so phenomenal.

What three words best describe your style?
Off beat and unorthodox is my poetry (laughter). I am very color-coordinated.

How did you develop your style?
I can’t take that responsibility. I would have to say that is God.

Tell us a little about you that most people don't know.
What you see when you come into my home is who I am. I am always chillin’ on my couch with candles and light music... being mellow is being me.

What is some of the feedback that you've gotten on your work?
I hear that I am good and that I have talent. I also get, “what in the hell are you doing?” (laughter)

How do you respond to negative feedback?
I channel it and let it challenge me. I know that I have a gift and I want it to progress. It does me well when people are honest. I hope that they continue to be so.

What is next for you?
I am planning to display my work at an art gallery. I have another book of poetry coming. I hope that all who read this are there and reading my books (laughter).

What are the last few words that you would like to leave with those that read this interview?
Be inspired and go out and do beyond what you usually do.



Check out Tamarah at: http://www.tamarahynise.com/ and leave a comment for Tamarah in the comment box.

Literary Review- Death Before Dishonor by 50 Cent and Nikki Turner

Pocket Books
2007
$12.00
pgs.194
ISBN-10: 1-4165-3100-9

Simple and straight to the point books are always a pleasure to read, especially when there is temptation, mystery, and action. Death Before Dishonor is a great book. In this story we follow three characters Trill Johnson, Sunni James, and Precious Pay and each of them have enough commotion in their lives to have you reading the book in one day.

Trill Johnson is a big time thief that steals form the most fortunate and provides for his boys and his family. Trill has a lot of respect for Precious and loves her very much. What he likes most about her is that when he was locked up she took responsibility for his son. He also feels deeply responsible for the loss of Precious’ leg during a robbery gone badly. But now he finds an interest in another woman named Sunni James and she is a businesswoman who is holding it down for her crown. He likes the fact that she is independent and knows the streets but he knows that he has an obligation to Precious that she will never let him forget.

Precious Pay is well taken care of but that is not enough. She wants more. Precious feels that Trill owes her big time and she is willing to get what she wants no matter what and she is willing to do it even if she has to turn her back on the man that she once loved.

Sunni James is a successful beauty salon owner and a big time whore. She is not interested in any long term relationships because she loves to use them then lose them... until she meets Trill. There is something about this thug that she just can’t get enough of but what she doesn’t realize is that she has to go through Precious Pay to get him and a challenge with her could cost her more than her crown.

Overall, Death Before Dishonor quenched my reading appetite. Again this was a straight to the point read and stayed on track with an easy to follow storyline making it easy to complete in one day.

I am interested in know if there will be a second book because there was a lot situations that needed closing which included how Sunny handled her situation and what really happened to Trill.

When you read this book and you have a clue, then share it with me.

Agasa Elitou-Reviewer

Movie Review- The Game Plan

Infinite Magazine was invited to the prescreening of “The Game Plan”.

The Rock is the shallow and highly famous quarterback Joe Kingman and he has it all. Clothes, women, friends, great looks, and more titles and trophies than you can count. He eventually receives an unexpected gift at his doorstep that is eight years old, cute and lovable... his daughter. Of course he is in total denial that he would have a daughter because his ex-wife never told him that they had a child, but the birth certificate says it all.

For the first few weeks he endures the ups and downs of raising a child (and everyone knows what that means) and their relationship seems to get a little rocky, but once they begin to really learn each other and respect each other in their role as father and daughter things get better.
When they are struck with a sudden tragedy, Joe shows that his love for his daughter is more than many would have known and he will do anything to save her and keep her.

After watching the movie, you begin to see that there is so much more to life than things and pointless conversation about oneself. Loving yourself is a good thing but being able to share your love with others is very fulfilling. Fame and fortune is not always what it is cracked up to be when you are alone and Joe Kingman learns this after some time with his daughter.

If you are looking for a good movie for your tween to see for the weekend, then make it your “Game Plan” to see this movie.

Let me know what you thought about the movie.

Tweety Elitou- Reviewer