Alicia Keys & Producer Swiss Beatz Jump The Broom

Producer Swiss Beatz (real name Kaseem Dean) and recording artist Alicia Keys recently got married. The beautiful Grecian inspired wedding was fitting for eclectic her style. It was held in Corsica, France probably to keep the paparazzi’s intrusive cameras away. This will be his second marriage and her first. Though I’m sure Swiss is really a great guy, I never would have thought in a million years that Alicia, who so many men would give anything to be with and whose giving and caring spirit I so admire, would end up in a marriage where there would be ex-wife/baby mama drama as there is with Swiss’s ex-wife, Mashonda Tifrere and even possibly step children drama as the two kids he has with Mashonda get older. But I’m consoled by the fact that, it is with Swiss that she found love and has decided to pitch her tent there, therefore congratulations are in order.

I remember my pastor counseling a single women’s group I was part of a while ago. He said that as much as it is within our power to avoid marrying men with children and baby mamas. He said he has to counsel so many couples whose marriages are on the rocks because the ex-wife, ex-girlfriend or even ex-sex buddy who has a child by him won’t let him have peace in his new relationship. Things like calling him in the middle of the night, when he’s in deep sleep and holding his new spouse tight to “come and get his child”, phone and in-person yelling matches and even physical altercations occur.

Even statiscally speaking, there are higher divorce and break-up rates among couples who have children with other partners. It’s hard enough trying to get along with your partner, but to have to add a baby mama or mamas and a step-child or step-children into the mix is something only the strongest women can handle. The same goes for men. A man would have a much tougher time staying in a relationship where he has to deal with his new partner’s baby daddy and children. It’s just too much work. Personally, I had a step sister growing up and it was an awful experience to say the least.

Not that I blame the women though. I would probably get really crazy if a man got me pregnant and moved on. I would be raving mad as a matter of fact. First of all, a woman has to go through nine months of pregnancy with all kinds of emotional and physical health issues, then she has to deliver the baby, which is the most painful thing and then she has to come home and raise the child all by herself while battling post partum depression, losing the baby weight and any other ailments that come her way. She probably also has to work to pay her bills to augment his child support payments if he’s so inclined to pay. And all for what? For the child to grow up and say, “I want my daddy” once she metes out some discipline the child doesn’t like. Life really can be unfair to single mothers.

But with so many people being recycled through relationships, baggage such as children and baby mamas and daddies are rampant. So what does one do? I really don’t know what to tell you, but it’s really scary out there. I really respect any adult I see who is single without children because I know the sacrifice they probably have made to not bring a child into the world without two parents in the home.

Pairing with or marrying a person who has an ex with a child or children is more often than not, like stepping into an episode of Mission Impossible where you are told, “Your mission, should you choose to accept it………………” and just like the great action/suspense score of the series, know that you have a lot in store as you have chosen to accept your mission impossible with everything that comes along with it.

Virtual Art Gallery Featuring Works From Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Arts Center

Located in the heart of Downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, Montgomery College’s Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Arts Center is a great place to see some great art work from promising art students for free. Feel free to stop by. The address is as follows:

Montgomery College
The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Arts Center
930 King Street Silver Spring, MD 20910

Idle Reduction Campaign

I recently participated in a promotion on the negative environmental impact of idling vehicles on the environment. I was suprised at how little I know about idling myself, so I thought I'd share to educate my readers.

Did you know the following:
1. Idling vehicle engines is bad for our air quality.
2. Idling vehicle engines wastes fuel and wears engines out faster.
3. You can be fined for idling in DC, MD and VA.

To learn more visit www.TurnYourEngineOff.org

Enjoy the pictures from my event!

Nancy Molhia Alliali is Miss Côte D'ivoire America 2010

Another black beauty has been crowned. She is none other than Miss Nancy Molhia Alliali. She is Miss Côte D'ivoire America 2010. The West African country of Côte D'ivoire is also known as Ivory Coast. Her chocolate brown skin complexion which really represents Africa is really beautiful.

Congratulations to the newly crowned queen!

Fest Africa USA 2010

Fest Africa USA 2010
Saturday & Sunday August 14-15, (12pm-8pm)
Patterson Park - 200 S. Linwood Ave,
Baltimore, MD 21224
www.festafricausa.com
Phone: (410) 608-0420
Admission:
Saturday August 14th: 12pm -4pm, $5
Saturday August 14th: 4pm -8pm, $15, VIP: $50
Sunday August 15th: 12pm-8pm, $5 All day
Free for children under 10 on both days!!
Festival Highlights
2Face Idibia Concert (MTV winner!), Parade of Nations (Come with your country flag), Dance Competition with Cash Prizes (to register your solo or group email info@festafricausa.com)

Quote Of The Day

"When people refuse to give you a chance, you have to create your chance. Never trust your fate in the hands of another man" - Chuck Harmony

The Opportunity Of Your Life!

You have opportunity right now, on this very day, that you'll never have again.

Are you going to let it pass you by, or are you going to make full and valuable use of it?

The moments that make up this day are moments you can use to solve problems, to develop more effective ways of doing things, and to create value.

The moments that make up this day are moments you can be using right now to move your life forward.


Look around you. See and appreciate what a magnificent world you live in and what a tremendous opportunity you have to make a difference.

Within you are dreams that long to be brought to life.

Within you is real, substantive, unique value that deserves to be fully expressed and experienced.

With joy in your heart and enthusiasm in your actions, get up right now and get busy living the best of those dreams.

There are dozens of creative, productive, life-enhancing things you can do, so focus on the first one and get busy.

The opportunity of your life is here.

Live it with all you have.

By Katrina "K-Rock" Moore of Sisters Strengthening Sisters

Christians On Impossible Missions

I have long been thinking about how being called a Christian these days often stands for nothing. It’s almost like, you’re not a Muslim or an atheist so by default you’re a Christian or in some cases because one’s family are Christians, we think we are automatically Christians, but that’s not true.

Even though Christianity preaches love, forgiveness and acceptance, many lines are being crossed. It’s often hard to tell the difference between Christians and non-Christians as Christians now often don’t act like Christians. Many so called Christians don’t even read the bible or attend church services. I've even heard many people say to my amazement,"I can do what I like because my God isn't strict."

I’ve had people quote bible passages to me where they quote a line out of context or talk about a part of a biblical story without knowing the whole story, and when I tell them the whole story and debunk their theory , they’re like, I didn’t know that. I’m often surprised by this because how can one confidently state that they are a Christian when they don’t read the bible and know its contents? That’s like having a car and not reading the owner’s manual, and you can never know or understand your car fully.

What is occurring is the secularization of the church, instead of the church and the word of God renewing minds. This is a society where people tell God what they want him to do for them, instead of asking God what he would have them do. Then they fail woefully, fall flat on their faces and ask God why? And he’s like why are you asking me why God? You went your way, and did things your way like the prodigal son. Anyway now that you’re back to your senses even though you are broken and bruised and were having this “WHY GOD” discussion you can now listen to what I have to say and do things my way………Also, I have forgiven you, however, you have to face the unpleasant consequences of your actions.

So going forward instead of doing things backwards by having the, “Why God” conversation after we’ve done things our way, like Frank “Ol' Blue Eyes & Chairman of the Board” Sinatra, and failed, let us do things the right way and have the “What Would You Have Me Do God” conversation before we plunge into our own version of Mission Impossible which only leads us to heartbreak, failure and death.

A word is enough for the wise…

Columbia, Maryland's Double Celebration!

My hometown of Columbia/Ellicott City, MD was recently featured in Money Magazine as the 2nd best place to live in the USA and yesterday Saturday, July 24, residents, friends and well wishers gathered to be reminded of what makes these two lovely twin cities a great place to live when the Columbia Association hosted a double celebration, the 16th annual Columbia International Day and Columbia’s 43rd birthday. Pictures from the event are below. Enjoy!







This free and fun event which lasted from noon to 10 p.m. at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront was a fun filled event enjoyed by all. All through the day, live music, international food, crafts and entertainment of different cultures were available for guests to enjoy.







The entertainment which included performances by Organ Grinder Lola & Master Bob (Bavarian), Rajashree Pakala’s Kuchipudi Dance (India), Veiled Allusions (Turkish, Greek, Egyptian), Scotland Village Dance (Scotland), ALAFIA (Afro Cuban Music and Drum), Kicks USA Demo (Martial Arts), McBooze Band (Jazz), Arte Flamenco (Music/Dance from Spain), Cecil’s Antics (Clown), Guy Mendilow Band (World Music) and The Rollex Band (Rock, Rhythm & Blues was thoroughly enjoyed by the many guests who braved the sweltering heat. There were also children’s activities, an international village, a sister cities program and magic with Ben Feinblum.













The birthday celebration included a cake cutting ceremony at 4pm.





People who didn't want to brave the sweltering heat earlier in the day came out at night in their dancing shoes in droves to cut a rug to the music of the Rollex band.

This band of skilled performers didn't disappoint their fans. They sang their hearts out, belting out songs by popular recording artists such as Lady Gaga's Let's Dance, Michael Jackson's Billie Jean and Don't Stop Till You Get Enough, Lee Ann Womack's I hope You Dance, Beyonce's Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It), Kanye West's & Jamie Foxx's Gold digger and The Commodores' Brick House.

I'm already looking forward to next year's event!