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WITH THE COMPANY THAT HELPS YOU LIVE A HEALTHIER LIFE. At Independence Blue Cross, we’re committed to keeping you in good health. That’s why we make it easy to plan and track your health goals through personal health profiles and personal health records. Because we believe that working toward a healthier life leads to a happier life. Learn more at ibx.com
Matt Schmidt works as the Graphic Design Team Lead for Urban Suburban Magazine. Since he graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2010, he has been designing various material, from logos to brochures, for clients within the Philadelphia area.
Dr. Irene Okech holds a PhD in Public Health and an MBA in Healthcare Management Policy. Her research interests are in Pediatric health outcomes, & Maternal and child health policies. A young and upcoming leader, she is also a spokesperson for the disparities faced by women and children in rural Africa. Dr. Okech is the co-founder of Imbako Public Health, an organization that seeks to allay disparities in healthcare and education faced by women and children in rural Kenya.
Kyle Leishear has been a Tech & Gadget enthusiast his whole life. Even as a child when he would break something he would try to fix it. That led him to a life of always trying to stay on top of the latest and greatest technologies and seeing how they work.
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Jennifer S. Matthews is a noted author, motivational speaker, and is trained as a financial coach. She is the author of the award-winning book 12 Ways to Put Money in Your Pocket Every Month Without A Part Time Job.
Candace Smith is a native Philadelphian and graduate of Syracuse University (BA) and City University of London (MA). After spending a few years living in London, Candace returned to Philadelphia and continues to forge a career as a freelance journalist, writer, blogger, actress, and host. Besides interviewing intriguing personalities for Urban/Suburban Magazine, she is also currently contributing her knowledge and skills to various artistic movements, publications, websites, and podcasts such as REP Radio, AFFRM, Tinsel and Tine, and Hipolitics.
Denise James is a seasoned journalist whose passion is telling stories that reflect people’s truths in empowering ways. Denise began her career at WGPR TV & Radio in Detroit. WGPR was America’s first black owned television station. There she hosted a live morning talk show, reported for the evening news and produced special segments focused on people and issues shaping the times. morning talk show, reported for the evening news and produced special segments focused on people and issues shaping the times. She has worked at network affiliate TV stations in Greensboro and Durham, North Carolina as well as 6abc Action News in Philadelphia. She has covered everything from education and celebrities to crime, politics and the Ku Klux Klan.
Margarita McKissick has 15+ years of professional experience as a writer and public relations professional. She is currently working on her Ph.D in Philosophy (focusing on today’s youth), she earned her Master’s degree with high distinction in Public Communications at American University, and her Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a focus on radio and television broadcast from Cheyney University.
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Publisher’s Opinion What is inspiration? Who can inspire? Do we all have the potential to inspire or motivate one another regardless of race, creed or color? “The significance of a man is not in what he attains but in what he longs to attain” an often used quote by Kahlil Gibran. Do we wish to attain success, respect or just equality? It is my belief we all seek a little bit of each in all aspects of our lives, personal, professionally and socially. Is it unrealistic? Can we see past our differences to understand why we act and think as we do? Perhaps it’s about the right opportunity at the right time. Perhaps it about being exposed to the right set of individuals that are not predisposed to judge or dismiss individual based on the color of their skin or the lack of educational credentials. “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.“ an quote attributed to Thomas Jefferson is perhaps the closest thing to the truth. I mean how you can be helped if you’re not willing to adjust your attitude or try something new. I mean if you failed at everything else. Perhaps trying something new wouldn’t be a bad idea. Over the course of the last few months, years change has occurred all over the City of Philadelphia. Many have referred to this change as gentrification. I simply referred to it as change. Plato said it best. “Everything flows and nothing stays. Everything flows and nothing abides. Everything gives way and nothing stays fixed. Everything flows; nothing remains. All is flux, nothing is stationary. All is flux, nothing stays still. All flows, nothing stays.” In the end we control some of our own destiny. We control whether we invest in our neighborhoods by cleaning and sweeping up in front of our homes. We control more than we imagine if we would simply stop and listen to the change that is occurring. Change is coming sooner or later. Our best and brightest can control and determine whether they remain in our neighborhoods or simply have decided to leave for Jersey or Delaware and return once the neighborhoods have been gentrified. Albeit at a higher price and once all the heavy lifting has been done. South Philly, West Philly and North Philly are changing right before our very eyes. There is a time and place for everything. Sometime we just don’t recognize the change as it occurring. Be part of the change.
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Legal 34 When to Punish and When to Rehabilitate Pennsylvania Prison Systems
Wallpaper – The Hot Trend in Home Interiors As an Interior Designer, I love including wallpaper in a residence and at times in commercial spaces.
Relationships 47 Unappreciated in Your Relationship or Marriage?
Real Estate 43 Commercial Real Estate: The Big Profit
Business Profiles 22 Le’s Business Development Services
Education 20 We Love to Read
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Summer Fun & Valuable Tips Here are some great summer activities and helpful tips.
It is time to think about summer BBQ recipes and get ready for summer barbecuing. It is necessary to bear in mind certain things when barbecuing to ensure that your party goes flawless. 18 urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia
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everal meats and side dishes could be used when barbecuing. Traditionally, people make pork, beef, and fish on their grills. When going to your neighborhood grocery store, try to find meats that are specifically cut and packaged for barbecuing. Side dishes traditionally include beans, coleslaw, and potato salad. Every one of these sides work well with different meats and they really are simple to make and store until it is time to eat. Pickles, onions, and relish are should be included as part of your traditional condiment bar.
1. When marinating prior to you cook can add flavor,
covering your meat in barbecue sauces before cooking will dry your meat out, and might even cause it to burn. It is possible because there is high amount of fat and sugar that burn easy in most barbecue sauces. Although gently seasoning the meat will not have any adverse effects and works really well.
2. Do not forget to spray your cooking area using a nonstick spray prior to cooking. It helps prevent the meat from sticking at the time rotating or removing it. When your meat sticks and tears, you will lose a big amount of juice, and your meat could dry out. 3. Until the heat is correct, never place your meat on
the grill. The fluctuation in temps will cause your food to dry out or burn. If you happen to be using a charcoal grill, make sure that the coals are totally gray before placing the meat on the grill.
4. Searing your meat will lock in the juices, but you do not want to cook your meat at that high temperature for the whole amount of time. Bring down the heat when you have seared both sides. This ensures your meat keeps its flavor and tender. 5. Never poke your meat while it is cooking. Poking
holes in meat will cause the juice inside to leak out into the bottom of the grill. It makes the meat dry and you also can probably damage your grill. You can find additional very valuable information about summer BBQ recipes in the Competition BBQ Secrets e-book. Anybody can use the recipes in this book right in their very own backyard or in a local cook-off.
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“I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.” ― Groucho Marx
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Big Hair, Don’t Care Paperback by Crystal Swain-Bates
Lola has really really REALLY big hair, much bigger than the other kids at her school, but that doesn’t stop her from telling anyone who will listen just how much she LOVES her hair! It´s not always easy being a kid. Designed to boost self-esteem and build confidence, this beautifully illustrated picture book is aimed at boys and girls who may need a reminder from time to time that it’s okay to look different from the other kids at their school.
I’m a Pretty Little Black Girl! by Betty K. Bynum
I’M A PRETTY LITTLE BLACK GIRL! Introduces adorable Mia, who wakes with her hair just-a-going every which-a-ways! With her abundant energy and joy leading the way, readers follow Mia as she plays with her friends who are all shades, shapes and sizes. There’s tall Kia, Keisha the reader, Charlotte her best friend, Dina Rose-Marie the artist, Imani the dancer, Anna who loves sports, Ruby the singer, and honey-haired Tracy. Mia finds that Pretty is within herself and her friends, and being pretty is way beyond what the mirror shows.
Black and White: The Way I See It by Richard Williams
He’d set his mind to raise two of the greatest women champions in professional tennis well before they could even hold a racket. The father of Venus and Serena Williams had a grand plan for his daughters. The source of his vision, the method behind his execution, and the root of his indomitable spirit he held private. Until now. What he reveals about his success—his story of struggle, determination, hard work, and family—is told in the pages of this inspiring memoir, Black and White: The Way I See It. Richard Williams, for the first time ever, shares stories about the poverty and violence of his early life in Shreveport, Louisiana, in the 1940s—a life that could have ended on the day he was born because of indifference, racism, and cruelty were it not for the strength of his mother and the kindness of a stranger. Williams’s mother was his hero, just as he became a hero to Venus and Serena, who express in the book the lessons he taught them and how much they love their much-criticized and even
Mother’s Black Book H.H. Fowler
(Church Gurlz Book 1) [Kindle Edition]
How does it feel to be treated like dirt beneath someone’s shoes? Or no matter how hard you push to get into someone’s good graces, you are continuously batted away as if you are an irritant pest? Ask Tara Lamont, hairstylist and fiancée to Wynton Lakatos – who struggles hard against the burgeoning attacks of Wynton’s mother, Doreen Lakatos. Doreen is no pushover. She might be the First Lady of Brandon View Baptist Church, but like most mothers she wants the best for her children. To Doreen, that means Tara is not good enough for Wynton, and that she will stop at nothing until she kicks Tara as far as she can -- out of Wynton’s life. Jasmine Benton – daughter of real estate tycoon, Karl Benton – knows what it’s like to be ‘listed’ in “Mother’s Black Book”. Her past connection with Wynton created bad blood between Doreen and Jasmine’s mother, which ultimately led to Jasmine being ‘deployed’ to a different city for twelve years. But something tragic occurs that brings Jasmine back to face her past. How will she fare under the ‘new’ rules of the game? urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia 21
Le's Business Development Services Consulting/Business Services Specializing in Grant Writing, Business Plans & HR Consulting Write funding proposals to foundations and other grant making organizations in a clear and compelling manner. Research and identify funding sources to support existing and planned program activities. Create business plans that establish goals and define organizations business structure. Collect and analyze data. Prepare business reports. Complete grant applications. Implement provision of human resources services, policies and programs.
Studio 44 Studio 44 specializes in: • haircuts • weaving • extensions • shampoo/conditioning • specialty styles • perms/relaxers • coloring • highlights • braiding and more
Office #: 267- 639 - 2471 For interview or booking studio44hairsalon@gmail.com Hours of Operations 9AM-6PM TUES-FRI 8:30AM-4PM SAT 10AM-6PM SUN CLOSED MONDAY
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @studio44hairsalon Twitter: @Studio44hairos
DAMGOODBODIES David A. Miller is a NSCA certified personal trainer/strength and conditioning specialist practicing in the Philadelphia area. He earned his degree, B.S. Exercise and Sport Science, from Pennsylvania State University. His successful clients include athletes, entertainers, models, and other professionals who are serious about developing a D.A.M. Good Body. Check his website, http://www.damgoodbodies.com/ Phone #: (786) 423-5698 Email: david@damgoodbodies.com 22 urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia
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Smart Philly Lender Tips
Advantages of Using A Loans Professional When it comes to ob-
taining a loan there many people run blind and do not have the first idea about the process or even who to go to. When applying for a personal loan or a home loan many consumers will go to the financial institution where they have their bank account. Whilst this is logical it is not necessarily smart. Just because you bank with them does not mean they will lend you money. Then there is choosing a lender because they are the ones you remember for the most recent advertising. This is great for the lender because they are potentially gaining new customers however this may not be the best choice for the consumer. A major disadvantage of you shopping around for a loan
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is you unwittingly will obtain credit inquiries on your credit file. The more inquiries you have on your credit file the more difficult it is to get a loan as lenders see you are shopping around and deem that as a negative. When looking to obtain a loan whether it be home, personal or business you should be looking to a Loans Broker or a Mortgage Broker (one of the same in many instances). Not all loans brokers will cover all types of loans. What a Loans Broker does is the hard work you really don't have time to do as a consumer. A Loans Broker is required by law to provide you with guidance and advice that will put you in a better financial position to what you are in now. They will ascertain your current financial situation, contact a number of lenders on your behalf, complete application forms and act as an intermediary between you and the lender. A good Loans Broker will ensure you are informed. They
should be demystifying the process of obtaining a loan and most importantly taking the stress out of obtaining a loan. Using a Loans Broker means you do not have credit inquiries on your file unnecessarily. This is because a good loans broker will have relationships with lenders that ensure they have a high amount of certainty in your obtaining a loan before applying. The cost of using a loans broker to the consumer is generally free. The lender pays the loans broker at the time of settlement and this does not effect your loan cost at all. This information is fully disclosed to the borrower. In some instances there may be an upfront fee however your Loans Broker will disclose and discuss this with you. So if you are looking to borrow money don't go to the first lender that comes into your head. Go to your Loans Broker and get the advice that will save you stress and your credit file.
W hoever said summer fun had to cost an arm and a leg obviously never heard of recession. With the
current downturn of the economy, everyone is looking for inexpensive ways to liven up their summer. Whether you need a whole weekend, or just a day, taking a vacation this summer doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Here are five recession proof ideas to take a mini vacation without emptying your wallet.
Camping
Camping is the perfect weekend getaway for summer and is just about a care free as vacations come. Many places don't require reservations and are very inexpensive. All you need is a tent, sleeping bag, and provisions. Even if you don't own a tent, buying one is still cheaper than the cost spending a weekend in a hotel. Many newer camp sites also have pools and
popular beaches to have a good time. They are often overcrowded and more expensive. Look for smaller, less known areas that are more family friendly and offer better rates. When going to the beach, all you really need is a towel, games and good friends and family.
Hiking
If you don't have time for a weekend getaway, hiking can be a great day trip alternative. Whether you stay local or decide to drive a little farther out, taking a hike is great way to relieve stress, clear you mind and enjoy the great outdoors. Depending on how intense of a hiker you are, you may need a compass or heavy duty bag, but anyone can pack and lunch and put on sneakers. Best of all, you are sure to get amazing pictures once you reach the top!
Picnic
A family picnic is a great and inexpensive way to have a small getaway with your loved ones. It a lot more fun than having a meal at home and can add excitement to any day. It give the adults time to relax and the kid’s time to run and play. Because picnics only require things you already have at home, a basket full of goodies, a few games, and a blanket, it’s a perfect all-expense paid day trip. game rooms for campers to use free of charge giving you even more bang for your buck. Camping is especially fun if you live in or near a city as it provides a pleasant change of scenery.
Beach
Taking a trip to the beach is everyone idea of summer fun, but it doesn't have to be expensive. The trick to a cost effective beach vacation is to avoid holidays and peak season. Many areas raise prices from mid-June to late July so try planning a trip in the off season. Also, don't feel like you have to go to the
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Day at the Lake
Since water and summer go hand in hand, a day at the lake is the perfect one day getaway for anyone. What’s that? You say you don't live near a lake? A river works just as well and almost everyone lives near some form of water; how else would we survive? Taking a day to visit your local water hole is the perfect way to relax by the water for a low key getaway. If you have a boat or have the option to rent one for a day, tubing is a great way to make waves.
Top 10 Reasons to Use a Travel Agent CONVENIENT ONE-STOP-SHOPPING So much goes into the perfect vacation: lodging, ground transportation, activities, tours. A travel agent handles all this and more. EXPANDED POSSIBILITIES Travel agents can suggest enhancements to your vacation that you haven’t even dreamed of. They’re in the business of making awesome memories! SAVES TIME Planning a vacation is complex and time consuming. Let a Travel Agent handle the calls, research and booking so you don’t have to. LESS STRESS Feeling overwhelmed by options? Worrying you missed an important detail? With a travel agent on your side, you can rest easy. EXPERTISE Travel agents constantly attend seminars, get new certifications and travel the world themselves! They are destination, cruise, air and hotel experts. LATEST INFO AND INSIDER KNOWLEDGE Travel agents are communicating constantly with travel suppliers, so they know latest itineraries, policy changes and more. They have the inside track. HELP WITH DOCUMENTS Visa, passport, what else? A travel agent knows. They’ll make sure you have all the necessary documents to travel outside the country. COMPARISON SHOPPING Travel agents get the biggest bang for your buck. They “curate” all the options, finding you the best experiences at the right price points for your budget. CONSUMER ADVOCATE If you should have a problem during your trip, travel agents can act on your behalf to see that proper resolutions are made. CUSTOMER SERVICE No travel website is going to offer you all of the above, plus that personal touch and peace of mind that comes from working with a travel agent that has your best interests at heart.
Q. Tell us about Kitchen Table. What’s it about? Why should we go see it? Kitchen Table, choreographed and directed by Cara Hagan, explores the roll of women in the 1950’s through a comedic lens. Twins Cara and Mackenzie Hagan play Penny and Jo, a pair of catty homemakers who desire to fit the mold of the perfect woman, but desire also, to reach beyond their expected status. The film follows the women from the confined space of the kitchen to the expanse of the world outside, exploring themes of domesticity, femininity, and societal expectation. Q. What would be your dream job? Besides directing of course. I think I have my dream job. I am a full-time artist. I am a dance professor at high Point University. I freelance all over the country, I make films and music. My life is full of art, as it should be. Q. What are you currently working on? Can we expect something to come out soon? I have just gone into pre-production for a
new documentary, my second. This doc will explore race and culture in the USA through an exploration of mixed race people. Q. Walk us through a day in Cara Hagan shoes. Oh, everyday is different! But most days include some teaching, some rehearsing, some creating of new art and some quiet time with my husband and our cat. Q. How do you picture the film industry in 20 years? Do you foresee any drastic changes? I can’t say that I’m certain what will happen to the industry. My hope is that it becomes more accessible to films that explore poignant themes that inspire dialogue and transformation. Maybe there will be a return to making films out of love, instead of a desire to make millions of dollars. Of course, I am speaking about Hollywood. In the indie world, I hope filmmakers keep finding ways to support and encourage each other, and to find new ways to share their vision, reminding
each other why we all love film. Q. What is the interaction like between the actors/actresses with the writers and directors on set? We had a tiny crew and cast, so it was super casual. Everyone helped with everything, from building the set to lighting to making sure everyone got lunch, etc. etc. It was so much fun! Q. When you’re not working on a film, what are you doing? DO you have any hobbies? I make dances. I am a professional dancer, choreographer and dance professor. I also love music. I play bass in a band I just started. I don’t know that I have any hobbies. When I enjoy an activity, I always participate at a level that is more than just a hobby. I’m not content to dabble. So, my life is full of happy work and exploration. Q. What is the best advice you have ever been given? To trust yourself. Who knows you best? If you feel you must, you must.
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Exercise is also known as aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise uses your large muscles and can be continued for long periods. For example, walking, jogging, swimming, and cycling are aerobic activities. These types of exercises drive your body to use oxygen more efficiently and deliver maximum benefits to your heart, lungs, and circulatory system. Strength-building and flexibility exercises are known 32 urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia
as anaerobic exercise. Anaerobic exercise does not have cardiovascular benefits, but it makes your muscles and bones stronger. Strength-building exercises require short, intense effort. Flexibility exercises, which are also anaerobic, tone your muscles through stretching and can prevent muscle and joint problems later in life. A well-balanced exercise program should include some type of exercise from each category. A simple definition of cardiovascular exercise is any exercise that raises your heart rate to a level where you can still talk, but you start to sweat a little. At least 20 minutes of exercise 3 or 4 days a week should be enough to maintain a good fitness level. Any movement is good, even house or yard work. But if your goal is to lose weight, you will need to do some form of cardiovascular exercise for 4 or more days a week for 30 to 45 minutes or longer. The ideal exercise program starts with a 5- to 10-minute warm-up, which includes gentle movements that will slightly increase your heart rate. Then, slowly move into 20 or more minutes of a cardiovascular exercise of your choice, such as aerobics, jogging on a treadmill, or walking, to reach what
is called your target heart rate. Your target heart rate is a guideline that can help you measure your fitness level before the start of your program and help you keep track of your progress after you begin an exercise program. Target heart rate also lets you know how hard you are exercising. If you are beginning an exercise program, you should aim for the low end of your target heart rate zone. If you exercise regularly, you may want to work out at the high end of the zone. To stay within your target heart rate zone, you will need to take your pulse every so often as you exercise. You can find your pulse in 2 places: at the base of your thumb on either hand, or at the side of your neck. Put your first 2 fingers over your pulse and count the number of beats within a 10-second period. Multiply this number by 6, and you will have the number of heartbeats in a minute. For example, if you counted your pulse to be 20 during the 10-second pulse count, your heart rate would be 120 beats per minute. For more details visit http://www.soundbodytrainer.com/ urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia 33
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by Margarita McKissick
In 1995 Pennsylvania amended the Juvenile Act to narrow the jurisdiction of juvenile courts, shuttling more youths into the adult system. The piecing question some may ponder… Do transferring our youth from juvenile facilities to adult facilities continue to rehabilitate our youth, punish them, corrupt them or give up on them?
Scientifically, studies have shown that brains continue to mature and develop throughout childhood and adolescence and well into early adulthood. Teenagers occasionally behave in an impulsive, irrational, or dangerous way not having the capability to think things through or fully consider the consequences of their actions. Moreover, “Scientists have identified a specific region of the brain called the amygdala which is responsible for instinctual reactions including fear and aggressive behavior this region develops early. However, the frontal cortex, the area of the brain that controls reasoning and helps us think before we act, develops later. This part of the brain is still changing and maturing well into adulthood,” (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry).
Becoming abused, assaulted, sexually assaulted and raped once transferred to these facilities is no huge secret in today’s society amongst boys and girls. Many young females entering prison are faced with many physical, social, emotional and cognitive issues, yet upon release, they are more traumatized and violent than when they entered. On an average studies revealed that teen girls incarcerated cope with much more severe psychological issues than that of teen boys incarcerated. Teen girls internalize their problems and are more likely to be aggressive and users of alcohol and drugs suppressing embedded childhood abuse. Just the same, teen boys who suffer being violently and sexually abused while serving sentences become traumatized unable to cope with what has occurred and almost always go back to prison within the first year of being released.
but solely took the severe unthinkable punishment for it.
Remember the story of 5-year-old Trina Garnett who set herself on fire? What about in 1976, at the tender age of 14 when she accidently set a house on fire located on Spruce Street in Chester, Pennsylvania killing 2 young brothers. Garnett did not act alone
She was sentenced, at the age of 14 to Mandatory Life without Parole. Meaning you die in jail never going home. Garnett has already served over 35 years and counting, placing her age in the early 50’s. Take a moment to consider what happened prior to the fire. By no means is this an excuse for what was committed, just a timeline of the Garnett’s lifestyle leading up to that catastrophic day that many may agree should have been considered yet fell through the justice system. With all due respect to Brian Harvey and Derrick Harvey, my condolences continue to go out to Ms. Sylvia Harvey urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia 35
The United States incarcerates more of its youth than any other country in the world.
and the family. Garnett lost her mother while still in elementary school and was raised by her violent alcoholic father and older siblings. She could not read or write and was often made fun of by others. She was not able to care for herself as quickly as her siblings had learned. Some siblings labeled her as mentally limited. For years, her father abused her and her siblings and she often witnessed him violently abusing others. Garnett and her siblings suffered homelessness quite often which subjected them to sleeping in cars, abandoned buildings and on the streets. They had no money for food and often ate whatever food they could find, whether on the streets or in trash bins. When Garnett was 11 she was sent to live with relatives and admitted to Allentown State Hospital for mental treatment. Unfortunately after just two years, she was discharged against doctor’s recommendations and all medication ceased.
During her trial for setting the fire she had been given three psychiatric evaluations. One determined that she was unfit and incompetent to stand trial. The second one diagnosed her with Schizophrenia and the third determined she was fit to stand trial. The Judge made the decision to go with the third evaluation and Garnett’s lawyer did nothing to challenge it.
without the tools to deal with the barriers that cause the behaviors – Stability means absolutely nothing to our youth.
As soon as she was transferred to prison at the tender age of 14 she was raped by a security guard and impregnated, later giving birth to a son. The baby was immediately taken from Garnett after birth and placed into foster care. Irony would say, Garnett’s child was ripped out of her heart just as she ripped Brian and Derrick out of Sylvia’s heart in the setting of that tragic house fire.
Any youth going to prison for any reason, has a problem. There is something that they are lacking and they do not possess the know how to think like adults especially those who are mentally challenged. With all the resources in the United States, as a society it is our responsibility to assess problems, whether that means providing a mental facility or a rehabilitation facility. We as a country have a duty to society to protect and help our youth not hurt them. Before becoming an adult at the age of 18, we protect them from their parents, we protect them from drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, we protect them from driving and we protect them from predators, yet we cannot protect them from the justice system. A justice system that is made up to – “protect.”
Prisoners serving life without parole were ineligible for any prison programs and/or activities. Garnett’s sentence prevented her from taking part in anything. At 14-yearsold Garnett was labeled permanently broken and expected to sit in prison awaiting her death. What purpose are we serving our youth by keeping them locked up with no rehabilitation or providing a sufficient facility to aid in their mental issues? Are mental health issues being addressed and properly discussed with screenings? Are state workers provided with the proper trainings to prepare themselves for having to deal with severely damaged youth? Does being told when to get up, get dress, eat, clean, play, and sleep help our youth become better citizens when released, or are we just locking them up and throwing away the key? Stability is important for everyday living but
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Through the juvenile courts and the adult criminal justice system, the United States incarcerates more of its youth than any other country in the world, why is that?
“Today in Pennsylvania, a child of any age can be charged with first- or second-degree murder and automatically sent to the adult system—where the burden is on the defense to prove the child should be tried as a juvenile. Upon conviction, life without parole is mandatory. There are virtually no avenues for release.” Our justice system is severely broken and isn’t working which makes us just as much the blame.
A client recently posed this situation to me, and she was expressing a concern that we all have: How secure is my checked luggage once it’s out of my hands? I have personal experience with luggage being lost and with locked bags being slit open…it’s a terrible feeling. So what should you do? To get the full story, I went to two sources. I contacted a friend at Holloway Travel Outfitters, and I contacted a local representative of the Transportation Security Administration and here’s what I found out. According to a Customer Support Assistant in the Philadelphia office of The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), they are required by law to screen all urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia 37
property, including baggage that is loaded on board commercial passenger aircraft. To ensure the security of the traveling public, it is sometimes necessary for their Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) to conduct hand inspections of checked bags. If it is determined that a bag needs additional inspection, a TSO will open your bag and search it, by hand. If you have a TSA-Approved Luggage Lock, they’ll unlock it and search your belongings. The TSOs receive training on how to properly inspect passenger bags and are required to “exercise great care” during the inspection, so that the contents of the bag aren’t affected. If your bag has been opened, the TSO will place a Notice of Inspection to let you know that your bag was searched, and what to do if you have a complaint about the inspection. The reality is that the TSA has a relatively short relationship with your checked bag. Once checked baggage has been screened and cleared, airlines are responsible for transporting it to its final destination. Then I spoke to Sarah at Holloway Travel Outfitters. In her four years working at the shop and helping people place orders by phone and on their website, 38 urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia
she offered her take on the situation. “I talk to customers about packing and luggage all day and I’ve only heard a few people say that their belongings were taken out of their luggage. But we do hear complaints of people spending up to $10.00 on a good quality TSA Approved Lock, only to pick up their bags on the other end with no lock on it. It seems that the TSO’s will unlock a bag, search it by hand, and then
either put the lock back on without re-locking it, or just leave it off entirely. So there is no way to guarantee that your bag will be re-locked after it is inspected.”
I am of the thought that taping bags shut with duct tape is more of a sign that there is something inside that bag that needs to be looked at. The duct tape says “Hey! Look at me! I’m full of valuable and/or illegal items!” So what’s the best approach? This is why I promote the carry-on approach to travel. Holloway Travel Outfitters offer classes and online videos on how to pack for trips of up to two months with just a carry-on sized bag. If you’re going on a trip that is just too long to use a carry-on bag, be sure to put on ALL your valuables (you shouldn’t really be traveling with valuables anyway) and your medications in your carry-on bag, and just check your clothing. It also makes valuable sense to have trip insurance that covers lost and/or damaged luggage. Just be sure to leave room to bring back lots of souvenirs!
Alexis Armstrong, Destination Specialist World Travel Specialists Office - 866-280-1938 x743 Cell - 267-760-1103 alexis@worldtravelspecialists.biz The world is a book. Those who do not travel read only a page. - St. Augustine
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GADGETS
by Kyle Leishear Philadelphia has been a growing city in terms of technology and servicing those technologies. For as we know when one of our gadgets break, a little piece of us dies inside. Luckily for you I found a company that can help you solve any problem you can come up with. From the smallest fix to the biggest these guys can handle everything. I introduce you to John Goodman and his company Computer Troubleshooters. I had the great pleasure of asking him a few questions and he was nice enough to answer them. Don’t forget to check out my website as well at TheTechnoFiles.com and be sure to take a listen to my podcast that is available on both iTunes and Stitcher. How did you get started with your fascination with technology? As is the case with many passions, mine began at an early age. For me, this passion began when I started taking apart transistor radios, and not long thereafter, started my first company making infrared door buzzers. After that Just watching the technology world inspired me. What services do you provide? We service personal and business computers of all makes and models, hardware, software, integration and networking as well as custom designed hardware for customers who have those needs. We also provide monitoring of all computer based systems and maintain them remotely or onsite. We also fix cell phones, Xboxes and play stations. Is there any problem you couldn’t solve? Of course we constantly weigh the price of repair versus buying a replacement if cost is prohibitive. However, in many cases, the data cannot be saved no matter what. Has there been any troublesome customers? With retail you get a wide range of customers with different needs. Of course, not every customer fits the same criteria. Some can go to the internet or big box stores and find what they need perfectly. However, our customers are less savvy, needing help getting their technology serviced and consultation in the right direction. What was the simplest problem you or your employees ever solved? I guess either a cable or blowing dirt out of a machine. Do you mind telling our readers what special feature you have in your shop window that to some people would make them panic? I don’t know about panic but it certainly can raise an eyebrow. We have a PC submerged in liquid, power supply and all. It works! Most people assume it’s fake. The closer they look the more puzzled they get. The operative word here is “liquid”. The liquid actually has a cooling effect on the PC. Therefore, in needs no fans. You can actually see the fans spinning, of course no air is present for them to blow, but it looks cool. The liquid is mineral oil. Yes baby laxative or horse laxative. I had to buy 12 Gallons from a horse supply place to fill the fish tank. Do you give advice to people who come into your shop on what types of PC’s to purchase? Yes we always give advice, most customers come in for service and then question us about the next computer or tablet or phone and some of the
features they should look for. We gladly offer the information and a price quote. How far do you get inquires from people wanting service? Do you just get local business or have you gotten emails from people outside of the Philadelphia area? We have business customers all the up to Princeton N.J. Generally, we like to keep it local. Now some people might be concerned that because your business is a franchise type business that you might lack that local feel and might be missing out on dealing with people on a more personal manner. How do you overcome this problem? We don’t have that problem, being a Computer Troubleshooters franchise offers us great support from 450 other franchisees around the world. The Franchisor doesn’t dictate pricing or even the products we offer. It’s simply a tech support franchise. Every franchisee is completely independent. It’s like a worldwide knowledge base for technology. The only thing that is Franchised is knowledge and of course the name. How would one go about becoming a technology professional? I think it’s pretty well known that to be a professional you have to just start doing it. Either on the job training or self-taught until you find your niche. Now I see you don’t call yourselves geeks, tech freaks or gadget guys then what do you and your employees consider themselves besides technology professional? Don’t let that fool you, that is to get around the stereo types. Of course to enjoy your work you must be one of those you mentioned. A lot of customers are too. Technology is cool and if your job is to know everything about it well, what’s the name for that? Do you primarily handle computer issues or can you service all ranges of technology? We started out in 1989 with just PCs but expanded on with the technology changes and service needs. We now services Xboxes and Sony Play stations. As well we fix most phones and other gadgets. We have even fixed transistor radios. Do you have any special attractions coming to the shop anytime soon? Oh yes we do. We take a different approach to get customers attention. Just to let them know we are here. Anyway, our next little show project is a robotic fish tank. The fish steers the mobile fish tank in the direction it swims. I know, “what’s up with the fish theme”? Actually it wasn’t planned the idea was found on the internet and we knew we had the technology to do it. So we did. That project should be ready show case by the end of spring, we are hoping. Where can people find your shop or contact you to get help with their computer issues? We are located at 108 South 20th St. Phila. PA. 19103 We are open from 9 am to 7pm Mon.-Fri. and Sat. 11 am – 4pm You can also reach us at @phillytechguy on twitter and the less active facebook.com/ CT.Rittenhouse.
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Real Estate
By Nicholas Tan Real estate is often termed as the safest investment avenue. In fact, real estate investments done with proper evaluation of the property (and its true value), can lead to good profits. This is one reason why some people pursue real estate investment as their full time job. The talks of real estate are generally focused towards residential real estate; commercial real estate seems to take a back seat. However, commercial real estate too is a good option for investing in real estate. Commercial real estate includes a lot of different kinds of properties. Most people relate commercial real estate with only office complexes or factories/ industrial units. However, that is not all of commercial real estate. There is more to commercial real estate. Health care centers, retail structures and warehouse are all good examples of commercial real estate. Even residential properties like apartments (or any property that consists of more than four residential units) are considered commercial real estate. In fact, such commercial real estate is much in demand. So, is commercial real estate really profitable? Well, if it were not profitable I would not have been writing about commercial real estate at all. So, commercial real estate is profitable for sure. The only thing with commercial real estate is that recognizing the opportunity is a bit difficult as compared to residential real estate. But commercial real estate profits can be real big (in fact, much bigger than you would expect from residential real estate of the same proportion). You could take up commercial real estate for either reselling after appreciation or for renting out to, say, retailers. The commercial real estate development is in fact treated as the first sign for growth of residential real estate. Once you know of the possibility of significant commercial growth in the region (either due to tax breaks or whatever), you should start evaluating the potential for appreciation in the prices of commercial real estate and then go for it quickly (as soon as you find a good deal). And you must really work towards getting a good deal. If you find that commercial real estate, e.g. land, is available in big chunks which are too expensive for you to buy, you could look at forming a small investor group (with your friends) and buy it together (and split the profits later). In some cases e.g. when a retail boom is expected in a region, you might find it profitable to buy a property that you can convert into a warehouse for the purpose of renting to small businesses. So commercial real estate presents a whole plethora of investing opportunities, you just need to grab it. urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia 43
Cars
Some of the most expensive types of auto repairs are avoidable through preventative maintenance. Having a mechanic inspect your vehicle now and then may not only prevent a major repair, but also keep you aware of the overall condition of your car. Following an inspection of the brake system, your mechanic can inform you of any existing problems and let you know about how soon your brake pads will need to be replaced. This type of advanced awareness of upcoming car maintenance needs can help you prepare financially when the time comes. In addition to regular professional inspections, there are several things you can do to avoid costly auto repairs. To take care of your wheels and tires, you should rotate the tires after every 5,000 miles and check your tire pressure every week. Also, check the tire tread regularly. Maintaining the proper tire pressure will improve fuel economy and handling characteristics of the car, as well as prevent the tires from going flat. Low tire pressure can cause your car to take longer to stop, which could result in an accident if you are too close to the car in front of you. When the tread on the tires becomes too worn down, you can end up with a flat by continuing to drive on them. If the tread is low, replace the tires. New tires may be costly, but they are far less expensive than an auto repair caused by a bad accident. In addition to routine oil changes, you should also check the car’s oil level on a regular basis. The engine oil acts as a lubricant and a coolant for the parts of your car’s engine. It reduces friction between the parts that come in contact with each other. Without enough oil, those engine components will suffer excessive wear from friction and stop functioning properly. This can lead to total engine failure, and a new engine may be a far too expensive auto repair for you to afford. Maintaining the proper oil level will help keep the engine working properly. When you add oil, be sure to use the recommended grade for your vehicle to provide the right level of lubrication to the engine parts. The proper oil grade will also improve gas mileage. To prevent fuel pump problems, you should avoid driving on a near empty gas tank. When your gas tank is down to about a quarter full, stop and purchase more gasoline. Driving with little gas in the tank causes the fuel pump to work harder to draw gas from the bottom of the tank. The gasoline lubricates the fuel pump and helps keep it cool. When there is little gas in the tank,
the fuel pump gets hotter. This can be especially harmful on hot summer days. The added heat from the sun above and hot pavement below can cause the fuel pump to stop working when there is not enough gas in
the tank. Replacing the fuel pump in most modern cars is an expensive auto repair you can avoid by keeping the tank above a quarter full. Some car parts simply wear out and need to be replaced over time. These types of auto repairs are something that every car owner must deal with. However, other problems are easy to prevent if you take a little extra time to care for your vehicle. urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia 45
Relationships
Is there such a thing as giving too much?
How can we decide what to do and not do for our partner? If you feel like you are always giving and not receiving, you may be giving too much. That sacrificial love of yours may actually be doing more harm than good. But how can you decide what to do and what not to do? Should we just do the things we want to do? There are many things that we do for our partners that we don’t want to do. Washing the dishes, taking out the trash, or going to work may be among them. If we stop doing these things, serious problems will result. Work is a necessary part of any relationship. The unpleasantness of a task has little to do with the relationship. Usually, as soon as the work has been done, we are able to forget about it and move on. If you work for a company and they give you a paycheck, you don’t keep thinking about last week’s work. But, if they don’t pay you, then you will feel cheated and used. Although not a job, we all have expectations of our partners. When these expectations are not met, we can feel used and cheated.
that is an assertiveness issue on your part. Thinking that you shouldn’t have to ask may make you feel justified, but it won’t help you to get what you want. 3. Negotiate. Negotiation is a normal part of any long term relationship. Negotiating everything could be a sign or trouble, but not negotiating at all is a sign of poor communication. Your partner and you have some different needs. “I’ll pick up the kids tonight if you will make dinner,” or “We can watch a movie you want this time if I can pick next time.” Partners who were only children and who were pampered by their parents sometimes don’t learn this kind of give and take. Making it explicit is a low conflict way to help yourself and your partner. 4. Use a mental or written checklist. When you are feeling resentful, ask yourself these questions: 1) Am I doing something that is really necessary?; 2) Have I let my partner know what I want or am I expecting my partner to “guess” what I want?; and 3) Have I tried negotiating this activity? If your answers are “no” to these questions, then you are being worse to yourself than your partner is.
Loving sacrifice is not “loving” if it causes us to feel resentful or it adds to our feeling that our relationship is unfair. People have an inner sense of what is fair and when we start feeling things are unfair, we had better take action before it gets worse. Resentment, or that sense of unfairness, creates emotional distance and emotional distance kills relationships. What actions can we take when we feel like we are giving much and getting little? 1. We can stop doing acts of meaningless sacrifice. What you are doing to show love to your partner may not even be important to your partner. Although it is something you might appreciate if your partner did it for you, it may not be part of your partner’s love language. Not everyone wants a box of chocolates or to hear “I love you” at the end of every phone call. If doing things for your partner makes you resent your partner, then stop doing them! 2. We can tell our partner what we want. Most of the time we don’t get what we want because we don’t ask for what we want. What may seem like second nature to you may not even occur to your partner. If you are afraid to ask for what you want, then
A relationship, a true partnership, is many things. It is not purely emotional because there are many practical demands. It is not purely a matter of responsibilities because a relationship is not a just a job. It is not only a matter of management because a relationship is not just a business. However, a successful long term relationship has aspects of all three of these things: emotional, and organizational. Using skills that pertain to these three components are vital to its success. Relationship coaches teach more than 30 different skills related to relationship success. The extent to which you learn and use these skills is the extent to which your relationship can improve. Even learning one can make the difference between a relationship that gradually fades and one that stays vibrant. What you do today will determine what you get tomorrow. urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia 47
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As an Interior Designer, I love including wallpaper in a residence and at times in commercial spaces. There is wallpaper with every project which I’ve been the designer of record. Wallpaper is a material product used to cover interior wall surfaces. It is a decorative application which enhances the space of a room. It adds dimension, volume and interest. It also hides imperfections for uneven and textured walls and can provide easy to clean surfaces such as vinyl. There are types of wallpaper which paint can be applied on top for a textured look such as Anaglypta. Also current materials include metals, wood veneer, velvet fabric and grasscloths. It had been recorded the Chinese invented decorative paper which was applied to interior walls around 200 AD. A few centuries later when the Arabs enslaved the Chinese, the Middle Eastern culture improved basic production and applications from the Chinese and included this decoration in their spaces. Wallpaper application in interior spaces took a greater and more global audience during the European Renaissance era (14th -17th century AD). It was used by the middle class to copy 52 urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia
or mimic expensive tapestries which were purchased by the elite and rich citizens in Southern Europe. The tapestries were purchased from Asia and the Middle East. Artisans used a printmaking technique which originated from Asia called woodcut. Woodcut is when an image is created and carved from a woodblock. Ink is applied and rolled on the block allowing saturation on the grooved surfaces which produces an image once the woodblock is pressed on a paper or cloth surface. Since natural light (sunlight) and candlelight were the only methods to illuminate an interior space, wallpapers of various colors and patterns added to brighten their rooms. Wallpaper had a pratical use; it was used to keep damp walls dry and to handle or temper fireplace smoke in most areas. King Henry the VIII made wallpaper production popular in England
with the aristocracy when European traders were cautious to deliver tapestries to this region due to the fact that he was excommunicated from the Catholic Church. As of current, the most prominent wallpaper designers and manufacturing plants in Europe are located in England. The English mass production of wallpaper made it very popular in France in the 18thcentury. Also, at this time, China was producing high quality wallpaper which was hand painted and strictly purchased by wealthy Europeans. Since America was and still is influenced by European design and architecture, there were numerous factories in Philadelphia, PA and Boston MA producing replications of popular European wallpaper patterns. In the early 21st century, floral patterns, Asian motifs, damask prints, arts and crafts and stripes designs were some of the most common styles of wallpaper in American interiors. As with design trends, wallpaper lost some steam in commercial and residential design from 1980-2000. It was perceived that wallpaper
was old fashioned, not flexible and semi permanent. Wallpaper is far from old fashioned. Designers who never gave up in the creative effects of this material in interior spaces decided to go with bolder prints, adding raised textures to vinyl to achieve a three dimensional appearance, using dark, deep and jeweled colors. For the sustainable consumer, grass cloth wallpaper became extremely popular and for the elite and discriminating client, raw silks in metallic shades and exotic wood veneers have added that “wow� factor to rooms. A client can take a photograph and it can be created and transferred as wallpaper. If there are walls which have a hard to eliminate textured surface, wallpaper as Anaglypta is used to hide the imperfections. Commercial interiors have included heavy duty vinyl wallcovering in healthcare facilities and higher educational institutions where there is a high traffic of employees, patients, students, staff and faculty. Conference room suites, private dining areas and private urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia 53
offices have included a lighter weight vinyl wall covering more for aesthetics without sacrificing some of the durability properties such as wipe ability and easy maintenance. In residential spaces, I recommend apply wallpaper in the foyer area, a small powder room, the dining room, the family room and bedrooms. If the residence is youngster and pet free, materials as silks, linen, wood ve-
“Wallpaper is far from old fashioned. [...] A client can take a photograph and it can be created and transferred as wallpaper.�
neers, grasscloths and lighter weight vinyl materials are acceptable. If one is considering adding wallpaper in the Kitchen area, please consult a designer. Adding vinyl wallpaper to walls far from oven, range and sink areas provide the most practical location. In conclusion, wallpaper is back and will not go away! For small spaces, do not afraid to be bold. Your space will make a statement! Also make sure your selection will work for practical purposes for your space and do not be afraid to contact an Interior Designer. We have multiple resources on unique wall coverings at various price points and will recommend professional and certified wallpaper installers. Contact Verden Interior Design Studio at 215-360-6722.
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