Weekend Getaway Near You...

Akwaaba


Akwaaba Mansion (Brooklyn, NY), Akwaaba by the Sea (Cape May, NJ), Akwaaba at Buttonwood Manor (Cape May, NJ), Akwaaba D.C. (Washington, D.C.), and Akwaaba in the Bayou (New Orleans, LA) are a collection of upscale bed and breakfast inns owned and operated by husband and wife team Glenn Pogue and Monique Greenwood.


Not too long ago, my girlfriend and her husband spent a wonderful weekend at a Black owned bed & breakfast, Akwaaba by the Sea... they loved it.















Another one of my friends recently had a weekend with the girls Akwaaba DC and had a blast!















I have come to know plenty of people that had a great experience at an event at the Akwaaba Mansion in Brooklyn, NY.
















I am going to make it to one of these locations real soon...until then, I wanted to share this information with you.

Enjoy!

Enjoy a Friday Night at Honeybee's...

Friday Night at Honeybee's by Andrea Smith

I was in the bookstore one day and I stumbled on this book that was published a couple of years ago...I must tell you, it was a great find. Forestine and Viola remind me of friends that I know- young women unlucky in love but blessed with talent and friendship.

The Friday nights at Miss Honeybee's is rich with fun and entertainment...with a splash of life lessons for a woman.

I totally enjoyed it and I just wanted to share it with you!

Oh...music your soul will enjoy

What is playing in your ear?

Ever heard a great song...one that makes you grab a fake microphone and just jam all by yourself? Beautiful lyrics so pleasing to your soul's ear that you just close your eyes and picture the moment...whatever that moment is to you...

There are artist that are so musically gifted that they can take you on a journey even when you don't want to ride...oh...you know what I am taking about. Makes you fall in love again or just finally move on. But there are some songs that can comfort you in the 'between time'.

I don't mind sharing with you what is moving me right now.

New York Times declares it “The Cabernet of Coffee”

From the ground to the cup…Sweet Unity Farms Coffee

In the next couple of weeks I will settle in my fall routine. I wake up on a Saturday morning with the thought of putting on my favorite sweater to run errands and then head to the doobie shop to get a deep conditioner and roller set for $15! But... before I head out, I get a cup of Sweet Unity Farms Coffee, in my favorite mug.

Sweet Unity Farms Coffee is a cooperative of over 300 small-scale coffee farmers founded by David Robinson, son of baseball great Jackie Robinson. The coffee cooperative is located in the southern highlands of Tanzania, East Africa, in the region called Mbeya.

I don’t mind sharing some of my coffee with you but you should check out the Sweet Unity Farms Coffee website to get your own! (smile)

Check out the great article on David Robinson in Vanity Fair.

Baby Phat...Stylish for Everyone!

You know...you have love to love the "style " hustle of Kimora Lee Simmons. This may not be news to you but it is to me. I went to my doctor's office in Manhattan (injured my ankle & foot fracture...) for my routine appointment. This was my first time to his new office with his new staff - they are stylish! The medical assistant had on medical outfit by Baby Phat! How impressive...she looked sharp. Of course I had to look it up...there is a whole line of Baby Phat Medical Apparel

I have been feeling her plus size line for a minute now. Have you seen the latest Baby Phat Plus Size line yet? Some chic stuff!

I don’t mind sharing…my support for Black Actors in Hollywood

I have been on this movie/TV watching kick lately. It is just that from the outside looking in…things seem to be going good for minorities in Hollywood. (I am optimistic!)
It so exciting to sharing with you what some of my favorite actors are doing this fall.

My first highlight is the new show premiering on Thursday, September 27th, “Big Shots” on ABC and your girl Nia Long is on the scene staring as Katie Graham - very sharp character! This looks like my kind of show! Check it out for yourself. Usually I can predict these things and I say this one will be a winner.

Good Luck Nia!

Be sure to check out New Jersey's finest, Dulé Hill on USA Network's "Psych". Remember Mr. Hill...your peoples from Seton Hall are proud of you. To learn more about the show check out it out here!

We will soon enjoy The Perfect Holiday! It has an all-star cast of Queen Latifah, Terrence Howard, Morris Chestnut, Gabrielle Union and Jill Marie Jones.

Check out a full preview on AOL Black Voices

I don't mind sharing...the love of languages!

Hola! Como estas?

Ah...you like my skills? I have been meaning to sign up for a Spanish class but I just never seem to have the time to do it. Well I just learned about MANGO - the first free enterprise language learning course available on the Internet. Eleven courses are now available in beta release. Each course has 100 lessons available. You can learn Spanish, Russian, French, Italian, German, etc... chile you can be multi-lingual in no time!

The lessons are fun! In the lesson, if you scroll across the word it highlights its pronunciation. The features are great and it is easy to navigate. But I tell you what...I am definitely liking that it is free!

Try it...you will like it! Got five minutes? Go to MANGO now!

Au revoir (I am rocking my French game!)

I Don't Mind Sharing...Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? Trailer

Oh...this fall is going to be great. I am loving the movies that are coming out. Check out this trailer!

The Paris Pages...The Green Guys...

What’s in Your Wallet?

When it comes to plastic, consumers gave the highest ratings to American Express, Discover, as well as to cards issued by credit unions in a report released recently. In a survey taken by 36,000 cardholders conducted by Consumer Reports, five of the largest Mastercard and Visa issuers, J.P Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Citibank, Capitol One, and HSBC, which together control about 80% of the market earned mediocre rating scores.

The card issuer USAA Federal Savings earned the highest rating 95 points out of the possible 100. The Navy Federal Credit Union and others followed with the same high scores. The top three unions charged interest rates between 9 and 11 percent.

Although, the USAA Federal Savings card ranked the highest, it is limited to members of the military, retired military personnel, and their families. Other credit unions, which also earned high scores on the list, also have limited membership, but have recently loosened their policies and almost anyone can join a credit union. Credit unions are run by is members, so they are less likely to suddenly increase their interest rates.

To find your local credit union visit http://www.creditunionsonline.com/

It’s more important than ever to have a card with a higher consumer reports rating because the lower rated ones can cost you a lot due to their higher interest rates and fees. Consumers who used Mastercard and Visa bank cards through J.P. Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Citibank, Capital One, and HSBC, complained they were assessed unfair late fees or experienced unexpected interest rate increases. Of all, Providian had the worst ratings for unexpected interest rate hikes. Cardholders said their bills arrived too late for them to get the payment in on time and as a result they were more likely to be charged a late fee when they sent their payment in a week before the due date.

For more info visit CNNMoney.com

Fall Back...Into a Theatre Seat w/ Some Popcorn!

The end of summer is near and while you may have seen the best of the best summer blockbusters...this fall there are much more for you to enjoy. I don't mind sharing...that I will be checking out some of the highly anticipated movies for the upcoming season.

Now... I am not a movie buff, but I do know a good movie when I see a GREAT trailer. For example, who can resist the trailer for American Gangster... the lineup... Denzel (he only needs one name), Russell Crowe, Idris Elba, Common, T.I., I am loving this!

Check out the trailer for yourself!

AMERICAN GANGSTER- Full Trailer

Reflections by Paris

I don't mind sharing the literary prose of someone who is going to burst on the scene real soon! (trying to encourage her a little bit...). Welcome...Paris (not Hilton...I don't know her). She will share her words with us on a weekly basis. It will be hip, informative, with a touch of humor!

To debut, she is sharing "A Very Short Story". Enjoy!

"A Very Short Story"

All rights reserved for L. Paris Jenkins

Glancing at her voicemail light, she let out an exaggerated sigh, it was only 9:05am and she had several voicemails. It was a Monday, she contemplated checking the messages. Retrieving them would certainly mean she had to reach out to someone who had an issue with her client. Who wants to talk about problems first thing Monday morning? She decided to leave them until at least after 10:00am when her brain and attitude were in sync.

She opened the business e-mails she thought to be potentially important and the ones from her sensible friends. Some of her casual associates had too much damn time on their hands, chain letters, religious PowerPoint presentations, you know you’ re from the hood when…… She thought “give me a frigging break!”…those e-mails just got the delete button. By the time she got through reading all the important ones…you know from the client, management, the service delivery team and her gay friend Derrick it was 9:50am. Kyle, the cook closed the breakfast grill at ten. She figured if she wanted to get some grub she had better get a move on. She grabbed her wallet out of her purse and headed toward the cafeteria.

As she rounded the corner towards the west wing she thought about what she would order…she could hear his voice in her head “you gone be mad at yourself if you get fat…I’ll still love you...but you’ll be mad at yourself.” She decided on two scrambles eggs, a few strawberries, and some pineapple slices. She really wanted a scone, but they were all dough and tons of sugar. Not good for her on again off again gut. “I hope Kyle is in a good mood.” she thought. The bear of a cook could look very intimidating but he was a really sweet guy. When he was in the mood they would have personal conversations. He was the one who had her thinking about law school again. He was married to a lawyer.

As she passed the register she spoke to Debra the cashier, waved at Douglass the deli guy, and made her way to the grill. Kyle’s back was toward her, he appeared to be prepping for the lunch rush. She waited patiently. He felt her presence and tuned toward her. “Hi, two scrambled eggs?” he asked. “Yes, please.” she replied. As he started the eggs, she went to the fruit bar. She couldn’t tell his mood and she didn’t want to irritate him by staring at him while he prepared her food.

She packaged her fruit at the bar and checked the dates on the chocolate milk. All good, she’d take one.

When she returned to the grill her eggs were on the counter. She took an extra plate to cover her food and turned to walk away.

“How was your weekend?” Kyle asked.

“Not bad, my friend and some friends of his went to Atlantic City Friday night.” She replied.

“The dude from North?” Kyle interrogated

“Yeah” she smiled “How is that going?” He asked.

“Good, I don’t have many complaints. He just works like a dog, which cuts into our quality time- but what you gone do.” She shrugged her shoulders.

“Yeah well he got those kids and now you. I know you ain’t cheap. That brother better keep a job!” Kyle chuckled and shook his head.

“I don’t know why everyone thinks that. I am a simple girl. I like nice things. I work hard to take care of myself, but I am not superficial.” She argued.

“I am not saying that you are, but if he doesn’t there take care of his business, which now includes being able to carry you. They’re like ten dudes who would gladly carry you for a minimum return…so I am just saying dude better be working or have a plan or something.” Kyle shot back.

“I am going to try to stick it out with him…we connect, you know?”

“What does your family think of him?” Kyle asked.

“He hasn’t met them yet. With him working and all...plus I am not quite ready for that yet. You know all the questions and having to defend his worthiness and all that. His tats, his kids, his failed marriage. You know, they want what’s best for me and I don’t feel like explaining why I am with him. You feel me.”

“Yeah, but if they see what I see. They will be fine with him.” Kyle said.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“Your face lights up when you talk about him. You’re in love with him.” Kyle laughed.

“Yeah, I am.” she smiled.

“I am.” She repeated as she walked away.

Applause for Brandon & Crystal...Guests on Tyler Perry's House of Payne

Ossie Davis & Ruby Dee, Courtney Vance & Angela Bassett, Wil Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith and.... Brandon Dirden & Crystal Dickinson

Brandon and Crystal have a number of successful Hollywood couples to admire as they embark on their journey as a couple working together. Most recently the newlyweds had the opportunity to work together on Tyler Perry's House of Payne (Episode #260).

So PROUD of them...

I don't mind sharing their resumes with you. Take note...they are well on their way to great success!

Brandon J. Dirden Broadway: (A Prelude to A Kiss); Regional Theatre: Atlanta: True Colors Theatre (Ceremonies in Dark Old Men), Georgia Shakespeare (Othello, Twefth Night, Meatmorphoses, Comedy of Errors, and others); Alliance Theatre (A Death in the House…,A Christmas Carol, The Breach); Theatre in the Square (Take Me Out); Horizon Theatre (Times Flies); 7 Stages (Come On in My Kitchen), Ensemble Theater, Alley Theater (both in his hometown of Houston, TX), Utah Shakespeare Festival, and North Carolina Shakespeare Festival . Brandon Dirden is a proud graduate of Morehouse College, and has an MFA in Acting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Brandon is Suzi Award Winner for Best Ensemble 2006. Most recently Brandon was a guest artist for Tyler Perry’s House of Payne (Episode #260). Brandon currently lives in New York.

Crystal Dickinson has performed at The Alliance, 7 Stages, Georgia Shakespeare, Illinois Shakespeare, Synchronicity and Theatre-in-the-Square. She was nominated by the Sunday Paper as one of the Ten Best Female Actors in Atlanta 2005-2006 and Creative Loafing for Best Ensemble 2005. She is also Jenny Award winner for Best Actress 2006, and a Suzi Award winner for Best Ensemble 2006. She also served as an Assistant Professor of Drama at Spelman College where she taught Acting and African American Theatre History, a Resource Council member for 7 Stages, an alumni volunteer for Miss Porter’s School, a panelist for DeKalb County, Office of Arts, Culture & Entertainment and an auditor for the Governor’s Honor’s Program. She is a proud MFA graduate of The University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and a New Jersey Native. She also studied at the London Academy for Music and Dramatic Art. Most recently, Crystal was a guest artist for Tyler Perry’s House of Payne (Episode #260) and at 7 Stages Theatre in Atlanta in January 2008, she will direct new play, A Song for Coretta written by acclaimed writer, Pearl Cleage. Crystal currently lives in New York.

See NYC on a Budget...FREE

Isn't it nice to hear about free stuff? Well some friends of mine created a site that provides you information about free events and activities in the greater New York City area.

Check out NY4FREE.com

IRIE!!! Love for the Caribbean Culture

Have you heard of JAMROCK Magazine? Well for the past few months, my nose has been all up in the magazine. First off, it is a slick magazine and the covers are always glitterous... glamourous (remember that song?)

JAMROCK Magazine has great content (articles..ads - yes the ads are on point too!)...highlighting all that makes up the Caribbean culture - music, fashion, lifestyle and people.

In the words of Mr. Marley..."Welcome to Jamrock!"

Enjoy...