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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.
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.
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.
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. 4 urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia
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.
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.
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.
Publisher’s Opinion
Why do we fear the unknown or unproven? What is it about uncertainty that causes us to retreat and become defensive. I mean it doesn’t matter whether it is a person moving into “our neighborhood” or someone trying to exact change we response as the parties are some sort three headed monster. Let’s examine the lack of change and the implication of fear of the unknown. In most of these neighborhoods it is clear that these neighborhoods suffer from abandonment as the best, the brightest, its educated and blue collar workers who move to more affluent areas to reside. It is not that the residents do not value a solid productive neighborhood they
just do not perceive it as being available in their existing their neighborhood. So the fear comes into play as it’s neighborhoods begin to change after years. It appear on the surface that change is exclusively occurring due to gentrification. Fear helps to stir the pot. When it appears that the changes are only happening due gentrification resentment occurs. The reality is the changes were going to occur because the market conditions had deteriorated so bad that investor were willing to finally come back into the neighborhood due to a systematic pattern of gentrification and willingness of others to try and exact change. Change as result of other to move from their neighborhoods, regardless of whether it meant relocating or not. Ultimately change has come and change will continue to occur. So embrace it and be part of it. urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia 5
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Cianfrani Park, located at the corner of Eighth and Fitzwater Streets, was created on the site of a demolished school over 30 years ago. A group of neighbors met occasionally to clean, plant and otherwise care for their new park.
Gadgets 40 Future Gadget Products
Money Minutes 26 Is Your Credit Score Low Because You Want It To Be?
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Travel 51 10 Ways To Travel Safely
Business Profiles 10 B’ella Ballerina Dance Academy and more
Education
African Architecture As with most “history” books, there is little mentioned of ancient building structures in Sub Sahara Africa.
28 We Love to Read
What is the Best Product to Loose Weight?
38
There is no need to risk your health or even life for weight loss. Just get on a vegetarian diet and you can enjoy the best of shape and health at the same time...
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Introducing a New Contributor
Glynis Tart Glynis Tart is the owner operator behind Verden Interior Design Studio, LLC is a full service Interior Design and Consultant firm located in Philadelphia, PA. What distinguishes our firm is the utilization of Green and Sustainable products on all interior design projects. This includes but not limited to furniture, architectural materials, home accessories and construction materials. Verden Interior Design Studio, LLC acknowledges a responsibility to incorporate innovative styles with sustainable design. With the emerging growth of a global economy, there is a need for energy conservation, utilize smart solutions for indoor air and light consumption and create non-toxic products to protect people and the environment. We adhere to these practices within our workplace and our community.
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Art
Stephen
Hayes
Originally from Durham, NC; Expert Sculptor, Instructor, and Award Winning Artist Stephen Hayes has a deeply rooted passion for visual art. Hayes has a successful record of teaching, art conservation, and professional individual and group exhibitions. With his advanced knowledge of sculpture, fabrication, ceramics, metal working, blacksmithing, and exhibit instillation, Hayes prefers to be known as a “creator� and not as just an artist. As an enthusiastic instructor with a wide range of teaching experience and interest for engaging a diverse body of students, Hayes has completed his MFA at Savannah College of Art & Design and has also been an instructor at Georgia State University.
urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia 9
B’ella Ballerina Dance Academy B’ella Ballerina Dance Academy was founded & directed by Roneisha Smith-Davis, in October 2013. I was proud to announce the grand opening of B’ella Ballerina Dance Academy in January 2014, in the heart of North Philadelphia. Opening her own dance studio has always been her dream, since she could remember. Growing up in the inner city streets of North Philadelphia, Roneisha mother invested a lot of time and dedication traveling miles away from home for her artistic talents. She knew her baby was gifted, so by any means necessary she did what was necessary for her to train, study and perfect her craft. As, Roneisha got older she realized there aren’t many resources available, and with the Mayor cutting back on the performing arts programs in our schools, and the rarity of positive role models, she wanted to be the light in the hood for the younger generation. Learn more at http://www.bellaballerinadanceacademy.com/ B’ella Ballerina Dance Academy 1124 A Buttonwood Street Philadelphia, PA 19123 Contact: mypassion4dance@gmail.com Office #: 215-908-3556 Office Hours: Monday-Friday 4-8pm Saturday: 9-5pm Sunday: CLOSED
D&P Financial Services A financial services company that provides Accounting, Bookkeeping, Tax Preparation, Budgets and Workshops for individuals and small businesses. Our firm provides outstanding service to our clients because of our dedication to the three underlying principles of professionalism, responsiveness and quality. 1135 W Cheltenham Ave Suite 101 Elkins Park, Pennsylvania 19027
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Phone (267) 603-1297 Email info@dnpfinancial.com Website http://www.dnpfinancial.com
Graves Derma Care PC Graves Derma Care PC is a medical and cosmetic dermatology practice located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Located in The Curtis Center across from the historic Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, we provide a full range of medical and surgical dermatological services as well as a array of aesthetic/cosmetic services to help you look and feel your best; while providing the most advanced and up-to-date treatments for all skin types and ages. 601 Walnut St Suite L-90 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106 Phone (215) 238-1622 Website http://gravesdermacare.com
The Credit Woman Tara Colquitt, The Credit Woman, will assist you in learning to manage your credit, money and debt to create opportunities in real estate, job creation/retention and overall financial health. Tara will actively assisted clients in credit counseling, money management, debt elimination and negotiations. In other cases, I have assisted small business owners who have “mixed credit scores� that interfere with their ability to secure business contracts. Tara has a proven track record of helping others improve their credit scores and I educate and mentor clients with diverse circumstances about using credit properly to gain access to wealth. Tara obtained her BS Degree in Civil Engineering from Howard University and has worked as a Project Engineer for the City of Philadelphia for 15 years while investing in real estate and helping potential clients with their credit. Tara was also featured in the November 2007 Essence magazine regarding real estate investment. Elkins Park, Pennsylvania 19027 Phone (215) 350-2483 www.TheCreditWoman.com
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LEARN. ADVOCATE. SPEAK OUT. GET INVOLVED.
Living WELL With LUPUS
Saturday, October 18, 2014 9:30 am—3:00 pm Double Tree by Hilton Philadelphia, PA
5K Run /2.5 Mille Walk to End Lupus Now
Sunday, October 26,2014
LEARN MORE OR REGISTER TODAY:
lupustristate.org 215.517.5070
Registration: 7:30 Run/Walk: 9 am Memorial Hall Loop/Fairmount Park Philadelphia, PA
by Marlene DeVose 14 urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia
It was the sunniest day of the year; I remember it well. The sun’s
spikes, the laughs of the normal adolescents outside enjoying the sun, my frequent visits to the mirror, and my infrequent smiles I gave the thirteen-year-old girl who stared into it. As I lifted my arm to clean my face that had sadness splattered all over it, I heard mother yell, “Come on, Marlene!” The sweat of my brow was my only association with the sun that day. The girl in my mirror did not allow me to enjoy the beauty of the sun or life, especially in the years following my visit with Dr. Zivies. Acanthosis Nigricans. It was the name of my condition at the time and type 2 diabetes was what Dr. Zivies said Acanthosis Nigricans would escalate into. I was given no explanation for how Acanthosis Nigricans and diabetes were related, but I knew what to do to avoid them both. Progressively make minute changes. By the grace of time and maturation, I learned that the food I put into my mouth daily influenced the pigmentations on my skin and the morbidly obese body that this diseased skin covered. I knew that I would have to free my throat from the tanginess of my purple soda, and to free my taste buds from the softness of my coconut cream cakes. I knew that if happiness and health were to be achieved, I’d have to free my body from the very food that was inflating it, controlling it, killing it, and making me despise it. So I sat on my bed that day after my doctor’s appointment with a plate of fried chicken wings on my lap. My conscious mind whispered, “Remember, child, that you are pre-diabetic.” Then I promised my conscious mind that this would be my last bit of fried food I’d ever eat. But little did I know, this was the first error in my thinking during my journey to self-healing. So, instead of destroying the monster that was defeating me, I decided to hold him captive and set him free only occasionally like on holidays and special events. But he must always return to his cave. This is how I gained my deepest respect for food. So, I sat in my bedroom eating the chicken wings that were reddened by the ketchup and made salty and sweet by the ketchup as well. I sat and wondered how I would look with my new body, if I would look like the other normal-sized thirteenyear-old girls outside in the sun, if the shorts I wore to play basketball in would become too big and fall off. Ah, yes! Basketball. I was indeed an active child, faithful to my sport and was never lazy to say the least. I ran, shot, ran, retrieved, ran, and shot again for hours a couple times a week. My heart beat like the sound of the basketball pounding on the ground. I sweated…and I sweated…and I sweated. And the sweat made my shirt stick to my hanging belly and made my shorts stick to my voluminous thighs. I surpassed the preliminary recommendation of thirty minutes of exercise a day by a
long shot, but if my vigorous physical activity was enough to save me from type 2 diabetes, I would have never had that conversation with Dr. Zivies, I would not have been as close as I was to developing the disease, and I would not have been bound by the low self-esteem of the girl in my mirror. I would have loved her, claimed her, and taken her in as my own. Physical activity was not enough to save me. So, my summation will be in the form of a plea to you, my dear friends, to know that the best treatment for type 2 diabetes is the prevention of type 2 diabetes. All foods must share your one body, but those foods that promise you sustainability and goal achievement must…they MUST dominate. This, my friends, is disease prevention. Vitamins of the vegetable and protein of the legume demand attention from the body, but our minds require the tastefulness of the sweet tart. Find your happy medium, but know which foods have your best interest at heart. When I found my happy medium at age thirteen, I managed to lose 60 pounds in 8 months, 22 more pounds over the years, and eventually 100 pounds total. I became completely void of disease! But that is the least of my accomplishments. My greatest endeavor, thus far, has been learning how to continuously build upon my relationship with food that initially helped me prevent type 2 diabetes. This means embracing an ever evolving world of nutriment. I want to warn you that embracing it is a road not easily traveled; I can proclaim this because of my experiences with it since my youth. Relationship-building with food has proposed great emotional and psychological impairment as well as healing and triumphs. These impairments were so engraved within me, yet hidden from the public eye. So that is why in 2013, nine years after my visit to Dr. Zivies and my first encounter with type 2 diabetes, I decided to start writing a creative nonfiction book to share the account of how type 2 diabetes played a small, yet intricate, role in the development of other psychological and behavioral conditions throughout my human experience. Contact Information: Marlene DeVose, B.S. in Kinesiology Book Publication Year: 2016 www.project232climbs.com 215-828-6729
urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia 15
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Best Bankruptcy Attorneys
For Your Money
This article is about how to hire a good bankruptcy attorney that works for you. The article offers many insightful tips you should consider when filing a bankruptcy and how you can find a bankruptcy lawyer that understnds you and your situtation.Bankruptcy can be easy if you have the right lawyer.
H iring the right bankruptcy attorney can help you eliminate all of your debts and begin a new financially secure lifestyle.
Though finding an experienced bankruptcy attorney may be challenging, it is well worth the investment of your time. Before you hire a Bankruptcy attorney, there are a few things you should ask to make sure the attorney will provide you with the best representation possible. Continue reading this article so that you can get a better understanding about what you should look for when you are hiring a bankruptcy lawyer. 1. Debt Relief Options Hire a bankruptcy attorney that provides you with various debt relief options. For instance, it may be in your best interest to negotiate a reasonable repayment plan or debt settlement agreement with your creditor in lieu of filing for chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcies. Some creditors will cancel part of your debt in exchange for a lump sum settlement. Creditors often renegotiate debts because they know they may not recover any money from you if you file for chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcies. Before you retain a bankruptcy attorney, ask if he/she has experience negotiating repayment plans or debt settlement agreements with creditors. Also, have the attorney lay out the pros and cons of filing for chapter 7 versus chapter 13 bankruptcy (assuming you first qualify to file). 2. Hire a Compassionate Bankruptcy Attorney Do not hire a bankruptcy attorney that makes you feel bad about your current financial situation. The attorney you pick must be 18 urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia
able to understand the stress you fell and be ready and willing to assist you achieve the financial freedom you deserve. Most people file for bankruptcy due to large medical bill payments, or as a result of divorce, prolonged unemployment, or bad financial investments. Filing for bankruptcy does not mean that you are a bad person and your attorney should not make you feel that way. Ask the attorney what he/ she thinks about individuals filing for bankruptcy and why he/ she practices bankruptcy law. 3. Specialize in Bankruptcy Law Hire an attorney that primarily practices bankruptcy law. It is not in your best interest to hire an attorney that primarily practices personal injury law to handle your bankruptcy case. Experienced attorneys will be able to analyze your case and avoid any potential downfalls that may arise. Such downfalls may consist of a case dismissal, having to attend more hearings, or losing certain assets while retaining unwanted debts. 4. Reasonable Attorney Fees When you file for bankruptcy, you will be required to pay attorney fees. Such fees vary by costs and complexity. The average cost including attorney and filing fees are anywhere from $700 to about $3000 for the whole case. Its important to inquire of the bankruptcy lawyer if you have to pay everything upfront or if you can make payments. Never use bankruptcy law firm factories that refer your case out or charge ridiculously low prices so that they can file huge numbers of bankruptcy cases. Hiring a bankruptcy mill firm can result in all sorts of complications arising while filing for bankruptcy. Make sure you ask what the attorney fees cover and the type of service you will receive. Finally, choose an attorney based on the experience he/she has and not necessarily how much you will be charged. When a bankruptcy lawyers fees are far below what other attorneys are charging for the same service, this may indicate that what is being offered is not of the same skill level.
Brewington Legal 1750 Market Street, Suite 3750 Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (267) 507-6025 Email: Brewington@BrewingtonLegal.com Website:www.BrewingtonLegal.com
In college, when I studied history of Architecture, outside of the standard ancient buildings which are located in Greece, Italy (Rome), Europe, the Taj Mahal in India, the only buildings which were featured in the Architectural history books which were located in Africa were the Great Pyramids in Egypt and Queen Hatshepsut’s burial temple again located in Ancient Egypt. As with most “history” books, there is little mentioned of ancient building structures in Sub Sahara Africa. It seemed as though western writers believed there was not anything significant to include these artifacts in history. This article will be the first part to discuss little known, but prevalent Architectural structures in Africa. Nubian pyramids were built by the rulers of the ancient Kushite kingdoms. Prior to the Kushites building these pyramids, there had been no pyramid construction in Egypt and the Nile Valley for more than 500 years.
the land of Cush. When Alexander the Great set his sights on the rich kingdom of Nubia the “Black Queen Candace of Nubia,” created a battle plan Alexander the Great’s army. She placed her armies and waited on a war elephant for the Macedonian conqueror to appear for battle. Alexander approached the field from a low ridge, but when he saw the Black Queen’s army displayed in a brilliant military formation before him, he ceased. After studying the array of warriors waiting with such deadly precision and realizing that to challenge Queen Candace would be fatal, he turned his armies away from Nubia and conquered Egypt.
Nubia never became part of the Roman empire – although the Romans tried.
The area of the Nile valley known as Nubia, which currently is the African country of Sudan, was home to three Kushite kingdoms during ancient times. The first kingdom was located at Kerma (2600–1520 BC), the second kingdom was centered on Napata (1000–300 BC) and the third kingdom was centered on Meroë (300 BC–AD 300). Kerma was Nubia’s first centralized state designed primitive forms of architecture which was used for burial customs. The last two kingdoms, Napata and Meroe, were heavily influenced by ancient Egypt; culturally, economically, politically, and militarily. The Kushite kingdoms battled for power with Egypt. During the latter portion of Ancient Egyptian history, the rulers of Napata conquered and unified Egypt herself. The Napatans ruled as the pharaohs of the Twenty-fifth Dynasty. The Napatan domination of Egypt ended with the Assyrian conquest in 656 BC.
The Candaces of Meroe (332 BC- 12 AD) Between the years 332BC – 12AD Nubian warrior queens, queen regents, and queen mothers, known as kentakes or Candace ruled 20 urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia
Ruins of Ancient Meroe
Nubian Pyramids
Nubia and never succumb to Greek or Roman dominion. If fact, Augustus Cesar made an agreement with Queen Mother Amanirenas of Nubia when Rome was faced with disturbances in the Arabian Peninsula directly across the Red Sea from Egypt. The Romans sent legions already stationed in Egypt to the troubled area. Once the legions had departed, the Nubians of Lower Egypt appear to have revolted and toppling official monuments, including statues of Augustus Cesar. The head of one of these bronze images of Augustus was severed from its body and carried off to Meroe, where it was intentionally buried beneath the threshold of one of the palaces so
that each time the Nubians entered and exited, they would be symbolically trampling the head of their foe underfoot.. Angered by the actions of the Nubians, the Romans sent new legions to the region in anticipation of a military confrontation and began their march into Lower Nubia. The Nubians dispatched their own forces and marched north. Both forces marched into the vicinity of Qasr Ibrim (Primis). A pitched battle was avoided when representatives from both sides agreed to discuss the matter. The Nubians explained that their revolt against Rome was prompted by certain grievances that had not been remedied. It was then resolved that an embassy of Nubians would be granted safe conduct to the Greek island of Samos, where Augustus was temporarily headquartered. This was perhaps the first recorded instance in the entire history of Africa when diplomats representing a Black African ruler independent of Egypt traveled to Europe to solve a diplomatic resolution. The Nubians and Romans signed a peace treaty that not only remitted their tax liability to Rome, but also established the Dodekaschoinos as a buffer zone. In order to gain the favor of the inhabitants of this region, Augustus directed his administrators to collaborate with the priesthoods of the region in the erection of a temple at Dendur. Temple of Dendur, Nubia, 15 B.C. Sandstone; From gate to rear of temple 82 ft. Given to the United States by Egypt in 1965, awarded to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1967, and installed in The Sackler Wing in 1978.
Royal Family of Mauretania The monument was built in 3 BC by the last King of Numidia, and later King of Mauretania, Juba II, and his wife Cleopatra Selene II. Cleopatra Selene II was an Egyptian princess, the daughter of the Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt and Mark Antony. Through her marriage to Juba II, she became the last Queen of Numidia and later Queen of Mauretania. The mausoleum was probably the Royal Tomb not intended just for Juba and Cleopatra, but envisaged as a dynastic funeral monument for their royal descendants.
Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania The last building which I will discuss is the world’s first academic institution and oldest university in the world. It is the University of al-Qarawiyyin. Built in 859 AD and located in Fes, Morocco by Fatima Muhammad Al-Fihri who was an Arab Muslim woman from Kairouan, Tunisia. She was the daughter of Muhammad Al-Fihri, a wealthy businessman. After Fatima and her sister Mariam inherited their deceased father’s fortune, they decided to support the construction of mosques or educational institutions such as the Qarwiyyin mosque as a tribute for their deceased father. The university was well known as a major intellectual center in the Mediterranean. Its superb reputation attracted Gerbert of Auvergne to study there. Auvergne who became Pope Sylvester II has been given credit for introducing arabic numerals and the concept of the number zero to the rest of Europe.
University of al-Qarawiyyin These few buildings are little reported African structures which had a large impact on the modern world at that time. I will continue this series with African Architecture – the Present in the next edition of Urban Suburban.
For questions and comments, please contact Glynis Tart of Verden Interior Design Studio at 215-360-6722. urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia 21
Most people with low credit scores would quickly answer “no”. However, the answer is “yes” for the majority of people with low scores or bad credit. Even though some readers are now riled up and/or mad after reading the first two sentences, I hope you will keep reading in search of a solution. Know this: indecision is actually a decision to do nothing. 26 urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia
It’s no secret how bad credit or low credit scores can tremendously hurt people and their families. However, most people do not know there are steps they can take to actively change their credit scores! I understand that some credit problems are due to medical bills and marriages that ended badly. Some people also had very affordable 30 year fixed mortgages and then had a significant reduction in income that led to late payments, short sale, or foreclosure. Yet most people do not fall into one of these situations. Instead, their low credit scores are primarily due to poor spending habits, not budgeting, a lack of an emergency savings account, and co-signing and/or providing financial support for family, friends, and significant others outside of marriage. When it comes to family, friends, and significant others, historically African Americans often provide a tremendous amount of financial support to these groups of people. Undoubtedly, each of these groups of people holds a place of significant importance in our lives. The problem is that too many people put themselves in financial jeopardy to help others who may or may not be doing all they can to truly help themselves. Know this: if the roof over your head, utilities, and other necessities for your life are not covered, you are not in a position to financially help someone else. However, there are non-financial ways you can help people who are import-
ant to you, including researching and connecting them community resources (local government, non-profit, etc.) that can help.
Step One: Stop the bleeding! If you overspend and/or do not live on a budget, write a budget and stick with it to stop your own self-financial damage. There are numerous free resources on my website to help you, www.MoneySmartBook.com. The other place to stop the bleeding is with family and friends. Be honest! Tell them that you really cannot afford to continue the financial support you’ve been providing but that you will help them find resources they can follow up on to help change their own situation.
decisions and taking some tough steps now so that you’re not as financially stressed two years from now, or you can keep doing what you’ve been doing and still be in your same current financial position, or possibly even worse, in two years. If your credit scores are low and you choose not to start working toward making a difference such as with these three steps, then the article
Step Two: Make a commitment to yourself to pay your bills on time and then stick with it! Paying your bills on time is 35% of your credit score. I fully understand that you may not be in a position to pay all your bills on time right away. If that’s truly you, choose one or two bills (preferably rent/mortgage and gas/electric) and start faithfully paying them on time every month. As you tweak and get comfortable with your budget, you will start having extra money that you can use to pay additional bills on time. Once you start paying bills on time don’t stop! Again, on time payment is 35% of your credit score and in about a year of consistently paying the same bills on time you will start to see your credit scores rise. Step Three: Look for ways to cut your expenses, which is the premise of my book. How can you cut your utility, cell phone, and cable bills? Most people who do a little digging and research can lower these bills by a total $100 - $150 each month! Then, each month put half the money created into an emergency savings account and use the other half to start paying an additional bill on time. This is just a start and it’s admittedly harder to change bad spending habits that it is to continue the status quo. If you can get these three steps under control there are more steps you can take to accelerate increasing your credit scores. The most important thing is to get started! A quick story about me: I’m quickly approaching the magical age of 50. About six months ago, I decided to get braces and straighten my teeth for purely cosmetic reasons. That’s not a common step to take at my age, and I’ll wear them for about 2 years. Looking ahead, two years will surely come and go. I could do nothing and still have crooked teeth in two years, or I could take action and have straight teeth two years from now. Along the same lines, you can commit to making some hard
title applies to you and the decisions you have made regarding your credit scores. Remember: indecision is actually a decision to do nothing.
About the Author: Jennifer S. Matthews is an award-winning author, motivational speaker, and is trained as a financial coach. Her award-winning book 12 Ways to Put Money in Your Pocket Every Month Without A Part Time Job, was also nominated for a 2013 NAACP Image Award. The book shows readers how to create hundreds of dollars in cash every month from within their existing income. Visit Jennifer online at www.MoneySmartBook.com and sign up for her newsletter. You can also purchase her book, take advantage of free downloads, and much more. © 2014 Creating Financial Literacy, LLC
“A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading.” ― William Styron
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The New York Times: The Times Of The Seventies
The history, culture, and personalities of the ‘70s through hundreds of hand-selected articles and original commentary. The Times of the Seventies captures the history, culture, and personalities of the decade through more than 400 hand-selected articles and original commentary. This unique compendium includes coverage of historic events like the Watergate scandal and the Iranian Revolution; cultural highlights like the rise of disco; features on musicians and movie reviews; and pieces on such figures as Gloria Steinem and Richard Nixon. The stories are written by the great Times writers, including Murray Schumach, Craig Claiborne, and John Rockwell. And editor Clyde Haberman guides us through the articles, putting the events into historical context.
Decadence
Drawn to a “pleasure palace,” Nia’s ability to balance truth and fantasy becomes increasingly blurred. by Eric Jerome Dickey Will she deny her body to save her soul? Decadence is Eric Jerome Dickey’s riveting tale of excess and its costs to body and soul. Four years have passed since the events of her novel, Pleasure, and Nia’s success as a writer brings her to Los Angeles, where she continues to explore her emotions before leaving this often-confusing season of her life. Drawn to a “pleasure palace,” Nia’s ability to balance truth and fantasy is increasingly blurred, obliterating the compartments she has so carefully created for the different aspects of her life.
Heart Of Gold
In the quirky town of Henry Adams, a shotgun-waving recluse leaves a saddlebag of gold to big-hearted teenager Zoey. by Beverly Jenkins Henry Adams, Kansas, has had its share of drama ever since Bernadine Brown bought the town. And it’s about to get even crazier. Cephas Patterson doesn’t just want to be left alone— if you step onto his property, he’ll wave a shotgun and warn you to stay away from his gold. He reminds teenaged Zoey of the lonely time she spent living on the streets, so she quietly leaves him small offerings. Then Cephas dies and leaves a saddlebag of gold—to Zoey. And that’s not all. Zoey’s parents are going through a trial separation, and her former BFF is giving her fits. Meanwhile, Bernadine’s mean-spirited baby sister has arrived unexpectedly, and an ongoing battle with a neighboring town is about to heat up. Will Henry Adams ever be the same?
Why Do I Have To Think Like A Man? Think like a lady and still get the man
Ladies, does every man of your dreams turn into a nightmare? Do you always find the player, the cheater, or the narcissist? If so, it’s time to face the truth: Women say they want to change this player mentality, but in many ways they nurture and perpetuate it.In their funny, fresh and bold way, Rhonda Frost and her daughter, Shanae Hall, dish on marriage, divorce, and the dating pool in this rebuttal to Steve Harvey’s Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man. You will learn the female counterparts to getting the ring and the 90-day rule, why men cheat, and what men say about dating.The authors show how women can trust their intuition in order tobe happier-single or married-and offer tools to make relationships fair and fulfilling. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Shanae Hall is a CBS Radio personality and former NFL wife. She co-founded New Beginnings TRAP, a nonprofit that empowers women to rebuild their lives. She is working on a new show with her friend, Cedric the Entertainer. urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia 29
Cars
by Chris Harmen
Not all that long ago, there was a time when
purchasing a family vehicle only offered two viable choices: station wagon or minivan. Parents in this previous car-buying generation didn't have many options in type of vehicle for their family, nor was there a wide range of family-friendly features that made one choice truly prove a standout model. However, modern moms and dads now do have a third choice when determining the best vehicle for transporting their families from point A to point B: the full-sized sport utility vehicle. An Easy Choice: How Today's SUVs Stand Out From The Standard Minivan If you're currently in the market for a new family-friendly vehicle, you owe it to yourself to see some of the many reasons why more and more parents are opting for an SUV over a standard minivan. Choosing a full-sized sport utility vehicle instead of a minivan can potentially offer owners the following benefits: Easier car seat loading/access: Some sport utility vehicles prove an easier option for securing and accessing child car seats, making them an ideal choice over vans. Better driving visibility: On some minivans, driver visibility can be minimized, particularly for smaller drivers. Some top-quality sport utility vehicles allow smaller drivers to better customize their driver's seat configuration for better overall visibility. Car chassis design: Beyond visibility, some SUV options actually offer a car chassis design. The result? These vehicles are quieter and easier to handle than a potentially boxy and cumbersome van choice.
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Sleeker body frame: It's no secret that the essential body frame of a minivan hasn't changed much over the years (or decades). However, the look of a sport utility vehicle is forever evolving. Who doesn't want to drive the family around in a visually appealing ride? Each new year brings with it sleeker lines and sophisticated styles that make these automobiles as eye-catching as they are functional. Better model selection: Vans tend to come in just one common style; however, there are countless models of sport utility vehicles to choose from. No matter what your preferences for seating configuration, size and fuel economy may be, you are sure to find a quality SUV that truly suits your specific requirements. Ready to see for yourself why an SUV makes a perfect family automobile? When you begin the search process, be sure to only work with an authorized manufactured dealership based on the make and model that you have your mind set on. An authorized dealership will offer a comprehensive inventory selection to ensure that you find the exact automobile that you are searching for. Additionally, working with a certified showroom means that you'll have access to a professional sales staff that is knowledgeable in the line of SUVs that you are interested in. No matter what questions you have, they will be able to get you the answers you need. The result? You'll have the confidence that comes with knowing you are making an informed purchasing decision. It's easy to see why parents everywhere are opting for an SUV over a standard minivan as their favorite people mover.
Anything that is unhealthily, dangerously or artificially created There is no need o t for fat loss is definitely not the best weight loss product on the Diet pills, meal-replacement shakes, high-protein diet, risk your health or market. liposuction, and low-calorie diet are examples of weight loss even life for weight solutions you should never attempt. Why? Diet pills are drugs. They cannot cure the root of your overloss. Just get o n a weight problems. At best, they help suppress your appetite to make you eat relatively lesser. Moreover, the drugs contain vegetarian diet and unknown chemicals that alter the hormones in our body, which can lead to undesirable side effects like nauseousness, lightheadedness, anxiety, insomnia, and excessive thirst. Once you stop you can enjoy the the pills, your weight rebounds. best of shape n ad High-protein diet causes your body to go into ketosis, which in turn triggers constant headache, bad breath and constipation. health at the same Anti-biotic, growth hormone residues and toxins will pass on to you if the diet comes from animal meat. time... Low-cal diet and meal-replacement shakes cause weakness, slug38 urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia
gishness and constant hunger. You get headache too. You can’t concentrate on your work. You’ll lose interest in almost everything. Liposuction is risky; it can cost your life. Above are bad side effects from undertaking those fat loss measures, which is why they can never be the best solution for anyone.
Vegetarian Diet The Best Product for Weight Loss If you want to lose weight without compromising your health, then a vegetarian diet meal plan is what I would strongly recommend. As animal meat is not involved in such a diet, you won’t get toxins, antibiotic residues and growth hormones passing on to you via food intake. However, there are still high-protein diets in vegetarian version available out there which can cause ketosis. You can also find low-cal vegetarian diet that makes you feel weak and lose concentration too. That said, you should choose carefully a plant-based diet that really promotes both health and weight loss. If you have no clue as to how a healthy vegetarian diet for fat loss looks like, here’s a few pointers for you: 1. Look for one which has a proper 30 90 days meal plan already done so you have a concrete meal plan to guide you throughout the entire period of your regimen. 2. Check to make sure the meal plan has 5 small meals a day because such way of eating boosts metabolism optimally. 3. Ensure all ingredients used are at least 70% natural. Too much processed food involved can affect health and lead to metabolic disorder. 4. The meal plan should showcase the calorie count for each and every meal so you know roughly how much you have ingested for the day and can prevent from overeating. 5. A powerful vegetarian weight loss meal plan should also provide a sure-fire fat-burning workout routine to maximize fat loss. SoArticle Search, that’s the best product for weight loss for anyone who’s seriously overweight and desperately seeking to get back in shape. urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia 39
GADGETS
I am always looking out for some great new gadgets to come down the pike and lately technology has really been rapidly improving our way of life. From home innovations to personal advancements as well as in-car advancements. So here I am coming to our loyal readers and bringing you some fantastic new gadgets to keep an eye out for. Sure, some of these might still be in the early kickstarter or indiegogo stage but just to see how great the future is going to be is to exciting not to share.
NAVDY
– A Head-Up Display for the new age driver Navdy allows drivers to access their smartphone’s apps while keeping their eyes on the road. Navdy combines a high quality projection display with voice and gesture controls to create a safer, highly intuitive driving experience. Drivers are three times more likely to get into an accident when they take their eyes off the road to look down at a touchscreen. “Smartphones were never designed to be used while driving,” said Navdy co-founder and CEO Doug Simpson. “Touchscreen-based apps force you to take your eyes off the road. So we started by completely rethinking what the experience of using apps behind the wheel should be like. Navdy is built from the ground up to be the safest and most intuitive way to make calls, use navigation, listen to music or access notifications without ever looking away from the road. Navdy is running a 30 day pre-order campaign at http:// navdy.com/preorder. Navdy is planning to raise $60,000 through its pre-sales campaign to get backers on board and support initial production efforts. Navdy is the world’s first in-car platform that offers: ·Advanced display technology: Projects a transparent image directly within your field of view that appears to float six feet in front of your windshield so you can maintain your focus on the road while viewing navigation instructions, incoming calls, speed, etc. It’s the same technology used by airline pilots to keep their eyes on the runway while landing an airplane. ·Works in any car: The device can be mounted on any car dashboard, and is powered by plugging in to the onboard computer (OBD II port), available in all cars produced since 1996. 40 urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia
·Intuitive touch-less gesture and voice controls: You never need to look away from the road while using Navdy. Glance-able apps are controlled with intuitive touch-less hand gestures, while voice recognition lets you ask for directions. Navdy’s noise cancellation technology and wide angle gesture sensors are specifically designed to create an optimal driving experience. ·All the apps you need: Navdy works with navigation apps such as Google Maps for turn by turn directions, and music apps such as Spotify, Pandora, iTunes Music and Google Play Music. Navdy can read aloud or display notifications from text messages or social media apps, subject to Parental Control settings. Navdy is compatible with iPhone (iOS 7+) and Android (4.3+) smartphones. ·Integrated with your car: Navdy links to your car and is able to display information such as your speed, RPM, miles-to-empty, fuel
economy stats, tire-pressure warning or battery-voltage warning from the car’s computer, all presented on your windshield within your field of view. ·Tuned for the driver: Critical information like turn by turn directions and your speed do not disappear when a phone call comes in the way your navigation app disappears to the background on a smartphone when a call comes in. The information you need, when you need it is always present and clearly within your field of view.
Hub It Charging Station HUB IT, the world’s fastest and first ever customizable sync and charge docking station. Combining the aesthetics of Italian design with advanced USB 3.0 technology, HUB IT delivers a sleek and compact power source package, capable of syncing and charging up to seven different portable devices simultaneously with a 2.5A powerful output per port and at a speed of up to 5Gbps. This high-speed seven-port desktop syncing and charging station boasts three USB 3.0 SuperSpeed ports and four retractable cartridge connectors, which can be changed and upgraded with the latest connection format. HUB IT is perfect for quick and convenient charging access anytime on desks, counters, or nightstands for all household portable electronic devices.
opment efforts. Eggtronic is able to offer with HUB IT a unique and stylish solution for consumers looking to sync and charge multiple devices at once. The modularity ensure a customizable solution, for the maximum satisfaction of each user. As we say: Simply Smart!” Says Igor Spinella, Eggtronic founder and CEO. HUB IT is available now in the U.S. for $79.99 at walmart.com, best-buy.com, and amazon.com. HUB IT features include: Functionality: USB 3.0 SuperSpeed specification Compliant Battery charging 1.2 standard compliant device fast charge Auto-Detection upgradable firmware (downloadable at (www. eggtronic.com) Plug-and-Play installation Hot swappable Customization and upgrade slots 20W output power Connections: 3 x USB 3.0 / 2.0 / 1.1 Compatible Ports 4 x USB 3.0 / 2.0 / 1.1 Slots (including Micro USB, Mini USB, Apple 30 pin, Apple Lightning) 5 x Power Cartridges Expansion Slots
VERVE2
– Children of the future start building new products today VERVE2 is the world’s easiest-to-use tool for creating amazing projects. Simply plug a sensor into the VERVE and use our app to convert the sensors into keyboard, mouse, text, email, IFTTT, etc. commands. Or log sensor data and see it real-time on your computer, mobile, or tablet anywhere in the world through the internet. Or connect it directly to your website, app, Windows, or Mac game. NO PROGRAMMING OR ELECTRONICS KNOWLEDGE NEEDED. It literally takes 5 minutes to get started. Everybody’s exploring to see how they can connect the physical world to the digital world. It’s exciting and fun, but it also requires specialized knowledge of electronics and computer programming. We think that shouldn’t be a barrier to creativity, which is why we created VERVE2. VERVE2 allows anyone to create awesome projects that monitor the physical world to control the digital world and internet.
VERVE2 gets your stuff on the internet, fast! A common USB hub cannot fast charge your devices, nor a charger can download a full HD movie in 15 second. HUB IT is the only one sync & charge station with all these features together. Forget the tangles of cables: everything is tidy & organized, at home and in the office, thanks to the retractable cartridge connectors. Finally, HUB IT has 5 slots for additional features, like the wireless Qi charger and many more great optional cartridges. “HUB IT is the result of more than two years of research and devel-
The VERVE2 is THREE awesome products in one. First, like its predecessor (VERVE1), it is a sensor system that you can use to easily control your favorite games or apps with the world around you. Second, it’s a web data server that lets you read sensor data through the internet. Third, it’s a full blown, easy-to-use data acquisition system that lets you collect and monitor data for your own research projects. urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia 41
VERVE2, the ultimate educational technology toy VERVE2 is an amazingly fun educational toy that gently brings physical computing to budding technologists and creators. With VERVE2, students learn about computers, science, technology, problem solving, and creativity. The kit comes ready-to-go, out of the box, with eight super useful sensors and plenty of fun games and apps to try. VERVE2 is absolutely fantastic for science fair projects, it lets students “learn, do, and demonstrate.” There is no other product like this on the market!
Home monitoring, YOUR way You can buy products that monitor your home or office, but those are specialized systems. Why not design and build your own monitoring system, and create your own custom solution? With VERVE2 it’s super simple. Try out your own ideas, then implement them in minutes.
Data, data, data! With VERVE2 you can be master of data collection. Every sensor can be logged, either on your local computer or on the internet, and that data can be saved as CSV files for
studying later. Do you want to know how many times your refrigerator was opened last month? Or how long the lights are on? Or how fast a piece of machinery is running? No problem! VERVE2 makes it super easy to log and record up to eight sensors at once.
Let’s change the world, together! We’re in a technology revolution, as we enter the age of the Internet of Things. For the first time, technology is cheap, ubiquitous, and available to everyone. But technology still needs to become human-centric, our experiences with technology should be natural and meaningful. Who’s going to change that? This innovative work doesn’t have to be relegated to elite researchers in ivory towers and engineers in million dollar research labs. We can all play a role. Perhaps the greatest contributions will come from everyday people, because we all have unique experiences and perspectives, and because creativity is in all of us. We just need the right tools. Get the VERVE2, and let’s get started! Trust me people there is so much more out there to discover, and all you have to do is look for it. If you don’t find something then go out and make it yourself. Check out my videos on YouTube and my podcast on Stitcher and iTunes. Be sure to check out my webpage TheTechnoFiles.com as 2015 is going to be a huge year for technology.
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Incredibly clear skies.
Intensely turquoise waters.
And an island paradise reachable by air, by sea
or sometimes by both.
bahamas.com 1-800-bahamas
Travel
by Alexis Armstrong Staying safe while traveling abroad is always top of mind. Most people aren’t dishonest, but those few bad apples or one unfortunate incident can blemish an amazing travel experience. We created a list of tips for staying safe while traveling abroad. 1. Don’t look like a tourist - Many people have a perceived idea of what the quintessential American looks like; white sneakers, big camera, or sweatshirts with university logos. Staying away from these stereotypes when dressing can help travelers avoid drawing attention to themselves. Also, be wary of public displays of wealth - leave flashy jewelry and unnecessary expensive gadgets at home. 2. Separate money sources - Don’t leave all cash and credit/debit cards together as most do when they are at home. This is a safe guard against unfortunate events like theft - the phrase ‘don’t put all your eggs in one basket’ is very true in this case. 3. Secure wallets and purses - Eliminate opportunities for theft. Make sure purses are closed and zippers are placed towards the front of the body. Never put wallets in back pockets or any other pocket that is easily reachable by others. Money belts are also an option, but what is most important is making money easily accessible to yourself but difficult for others to take without you noticing. 4. Make copies of your important documents - Scanning and printing copies of documents and keeping them in several locations is very simple, but can be crucial if they are lost or stolen. 5. Purchase travel insurance - There are many benefits to travel insurance but one of the biggest is ensuring medical coverage while abroad. Hospital bills can add up quickly, so purchasing insurance is vital. 6. Don’t leave your belongings unattended in public - This is true everywhere, but especially when abroad in tourist areas. Keep
belongings with you at all times; for example don’t place phones and wallets on the table or hook purses on the back of chairs when dining, and never leave luggage outside hotel doors. 7. Avoid pulling money out in public - Take out wallets as infrequently as possible, and avoid showing large amounts of cash. This helps reduce the risk of being targeted for any foul play. With this in mind, we would encourage keeping small amounts of currency for minor transactions, bartering and tipping. 8. Get familiar with the surroundings - A confident stride can make all the difference but not ending up in a bad part of town helps even more. To avoid this, study your map, talk to the front desk clerk, or examine your guidebook before venturing out. If you find yourself in an area that is not familiar or you feel threatened, go into a hotel or restaurant. 9. Put away your belongings - Most hotels will be fine, but in those terrible incidences where you run across a dishonest person it is best to keep your belongings out of site. Leave them in your suitcase, put them in the hotel safe, or better yet, leave them at home if you can. 10. Double check - There are many distractions while traveling. We also tend to carry more stuff - look around and double check that you have all your belongings before leaving anywhere. By following these 10 simple steps, you can ensure a safe and secure trip so that you can be encouraged to get home and book your next one with your favorite travel agent. 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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