Spring 2006
A publication of the Afro-American Newspapers
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Family Fashion Technology Money Home Lifestyle Food
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Trends A publication of the Afro-American Newspapers
The Baltimore Afro-American Newspaper 2519 N. Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21218 (410) 554-8200 The Washington Afro-American Newspaper 1612 14th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20009 (202) 332-0080
Dressin’ up and steppin’ out Table of Contents Food is hittin’ hard at Ray Lewis’ .............................8
Spring into the season with color ................10
John J. Oliver Jr. Chairman/Publisher Marketing Ammanuel Moore Sales Susan Warshaw Robert Blount Marquise Goodwin Gregg Mosso Lee Randolph Editor Rev. Dorothy Boulware Contributing Writers Talibah Chikwendu Christina Cruse Gregory Miller Ammanuel Moore Valencia Muhammed Zenitha Prince Holly Shiver Proofreader Aisha Brantley
Tricked out cars ......................... 12
Technology for driving ............... 14
Answering the age-old question: “What to wear?” ........................ 18 Friends and lovers: Can the twain meet? ................ 21
Graphic Designer Jessica Gorham Photographer Travis Barnes
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The Cadillac Escalade: A big boy with class .............. 22
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3/6/06 6:08:38 PM
Steppin’ where? w
Wanna go for drinks? What about dinner and dancing? It’s no longer a choice of “what” but “where” in the Baltimore/Washington Metro. Social lounges a.k.a. cocktail lounges or nite clubs for the urban professional are springing up left and right, providing a variety of entertainment and offerings to take the edge off a demanding work week. And while D.C. has justifiably always provided a more robust and diverse list of evening attractions than its 45-minute-away neighbor Baltimore, new hotspots are surfacing quickly between both areas and social seekers are reaping the benefits of a healthy metropolitan area nightlife. “In D.C., we’ve always had lots of choices. There’s a place to go for every demographic within the African-American community,” said Rick Seabron, 41, a luxury footwear designer and owner of Washington, D.C.’s Continued on page 6
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Steppin’ where? Continued from page 3
Mochature at Jilliano Shoes. “There was a time when there wasn’t a lot of variety for, let’s just say, ‘African-Americans with refined tastes.’ It was a very limited experience. It’s improved in both areas and a person from either D.C. or Baltimore should be able to have a good time in either location.” The appreciation for the growth of upscale social lounges can be heard from every facet of the environment, including customers, party planners and lounge owners, who while acknowledging the competition that’s stimulated from all the start-ups say in agreement that the more variety that exists, the better for everyone.
“People are looking for a good time and the atmosphere has a lot to do with it.” Eden’s Lounge is a hip, classy and comfortable evening spot gaining solid popularity.
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A few choice lounges 13th Floor at the Belvedere 1 E. Chase St. Baltimore, MD 410-347-0888 Club Mate 3612 S Hanover St. Brooklyn, MD 410-355-6697 www.mateclublounge.com Club X Ultra Lounge 10 Calvert St. Baltimore, MD 410-727-1291 www.tenultralounge.com Eden’s Lounge 15 W. Eager St. Baltimore, MD 410244-0405 www.edenslounge.com Gardel’s 29 S. Front St. Baltimore, MD 410-837-3737 www.gardels.com Gordon’s 1818 Maryland Ave. Baltimore, MD 410-659-0412 www.gordonbar.com Hammerjacks 316 Guilford Ave. Baltimore, MD 410-234-0044 www.hammerjacks.com
Love 1350 Okie St. NE Washington, DC 202-636-9030 www.lovetheclub.com One 300 E. Saratoga St. 410-230-0049 Baltimore, MD www.onebaltimore.com Oya Penn Quarter 777 9th St. NW Washington, DC 202-393-1400 www.oyadc.com H20 800 Water St. 202-484-6300 Washington, DC www.h2odc.com Pearl Lounge 901 9th St. NW Washington, DC 202-371-0681 www.dcpearl.com Red Maple 930 N. Charles St. Baltimore, MD 410-547-0149 www.930redmaple.com Zanzibar 700 Water St. NW Washington, DC 202-554-9100 www.zanzibar-otw.com
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With all of the uniqueness that these trendy hotspots possess, they all have a common thread that attracts a wave of popularity and that common thread is style. The grown up, sophisticated look, along with choice offerings, is definitely in demand among urban trendsetters in their 20s, 30s and 40s. It’s no longer enough for a hotspot to do one thing well. “People are looking for a good time and the atmosphere has a lot to do with it,” said Danney Bekele, part owner of Eden’s Lounge — a hip, classy and comfortable evening spot gaining solid popularity in only its first year. Located in the heart of Baltimore’s Mt. Vernon business and cultural district, Eden’s Lounge offers a modern yet cozy arrangement of more than 4,000 square feet, where guests can take advantage of enjoying live music, a moderate size dance floor or specialty drinks in the Martini Lounge. “We try to accommodate all of our guests,” Danney said. And when it comes to inviting and attracting guests, social clubs are now using the power of technology more than ever. Clubs such as Love, formerly known as Dream in Northeast D.C. and Club One in Baltimore actually have an email registration page on their site. In fact, many popular evening spots often register email addresses to later send special invitations and promotional announcements. Many feel it’s a good way to better control the demographics of their guests. Jay, 22, who works in retail admits he doesn’t like too many controls, like a strict dress code, but says he understands and will adhere to it if the place is worth it. “I do not go to places with knuckleheads,” he said jokingly. “I’m trying to step in the name of love.”
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x x x
x
Food is
d r a h ’ n i hitt at Ray
Lewis’ By Greg Miller After a night on the town filled with fast dancing and hearty conversation, good food is next on the agenda. It’s been over a year since the opening of the Ray Lewis Full Moon Bar-B-Que and I’ve been waiting patiently for the eatery to get up and running and to get all of the kinks out. I wanted to be in the other house that Ray built, to eat the hearty food and check out the scene. The flat screen televisions at the table are a great touch to the dynamic decor that screams Ray Lewis and the Ravens. I perused the menu to figure out which barbecue special I was going to get. It had to be barbecue or why even show up. For the first course I ordered the quesadilla with chicken, salsa and sour cream. I wanted an order of hand cut onion rings, but was told they were out of that. Once the
W
hen I bit into the ribs, the seasoning danced on my tongue and it actually took me back to Hattie’s Fourth of July cookout when someone (I never knew who) would cook ribs and they were so good that Hattie would tell me to leave some for everyone else.
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quesadilla arrived, we dove right into it and enjoyed the meaty appetizer. The ample serving was bursting with grilled chicken and the hot melted cheddar was just the right touch. For the entree, I would be remiss if I did not get the house special, barbecue baby back ribs. This was ordered with sides of collard greens and baked beans. My wife got the chicken tenders platter with seasoned apples and a fresh garden salad with blue cheese dressing. When the food was sent to the table, I noticed the hefty portion of ribs and the oversized chicken tenders. When I bit into the ribs, the seasoning danced on my tongue and it actually took me back to Hattie’s Fourth of July cookout when someone (I never knew who) would cook ribs and they were so good that Hattie would tell me to leave some for everyone else. They were just that good. The meat fell off the bone and was very tender and moist. The sauce was tangy and bold and finger lickin’ good. I was very pleased. I couldn’t finish the portion, but I did pack it up to go. The collard greens were home cooked with smoked turkey and seasoned very well. Although they were a tad overcooked, they were tasty and delectable. The barbecue baked beans, while not
o
the best I have ever had, accompanied the entree and the vegetable just fine. They were sweet and had a nice flavor but tasted almost like they were out of a can and just “doctored” up. The chicken tenders... I did not know that chicken tenders came that big. They had a nice light breading and had just enough flavor to make you keep eating even though you know you aren’t going to finish. The cinnamon apples were soft in texture and sweet as well, having a bold but not overpowering flavor. The accompanying salad was fresh and crisp and had plenty of vegetables. The fresh tasting salad had little to no iceberg lettuce, which is not my favorite type of lettuce because of its lack of flavor, quality and nutritional value. Overall, the salad was very good and went along well with my other meal items and my brewed sweet tea. For dessert I wanted to try the Hershey cake with chocolate icing and a scoop of Blue Bell ice cream drizzled with Hershey chocolate syrup, but I was told they were out of that as well. As a result, I ordered my old faithful, carrot cake. The cake was not made in house and although it was an oversize portion, it did not have the “wow” factor that carrot cake usually has for me.
x x
o
x
Photo by Steve Ruark
After talking to several of my friends, family and other associates, the reviews are mixed about the service and the food at the Ray Lewis Full Moon Bar-B-Que. After my third visit, I think that this restaurant will be around as long as the food is as delicious as I what I had on my last visit. If you have not been there, get out and experience it for yourself.
SERVICE ★★★ ATMOSPHERE ★★★ FOOD ★★★ Gregory Miller is the restaurant reviewer for the Afro-American Newspapers. Ray Lewis Full Moon Bar-B-Que 2400 Boston St., Baltimore, Md. 410-327-5200 www.raylewisfullmoon.com
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S
pring into the season with
By Holly Shiver This year promises to bring lively colors, cuts and curls to the forefront of women’s hair. The new hairstyles for the spring include a variety for women of all ages, lifestyles and professions. According to local stylists, the hottest colors for 2006 include copper tones, rich browns, auburns, oranges, honey hues and yellows. The most effective way to achieve these brilliant colors is through a process called highlighting.
color
“Colors are the most important thing. That’s what really makes a cut or a style. It’s what makes it pop and brings your hair to its full potential. You’re going to see a lot of highlights this spring,” forecasts Tonjia Best, owner of Salon Infinity located at 2324 N. Charles St. “Strand-by-strand highlights are in,” she adds. “People are getting bolder with it instead of keeping it basic. They’re going with a base color brown
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and then they might put some gold highlights in it and add some orange highlights and reds.” In order to pick a hot spring color that best suits you, stick to the colors that compliment your skin tone and figure out if you’re best off with all-over color or
highlights. Whether you add subtle hints of color or a vibrant mix, color can really boost your style. Best, who has been styling hair for 13 years, acknowledges that many of the new spring looks are simply revisited styles from the past. This season, retro looks of all lengths are in, says Best. Other popular spring looks include long tresses with blunt cuts and layers, spiky flips, waves, flowing curls, straight bobs with bangs, extremely short bobs, medium length layers and razor cuts. A good cut should be the staple of your new spring do. Your new spring style should promote you your best feature — gorgeous eyes, high check heck bbones, awesome lips. It should also so dra draw the eye away from any features that you consider less he trick is i finding the style desirable. The hat fi u. that fits you. A gr great cut will en ensure that you ble hairstyle ha have a desirable instead of a hairdo. text is also an imporYour hair’ss texture tant part of the cut and style. Layers d soft edges ed give a cut the versatiland Photos by Zenitha Prince
‘Loctician’ and stylist Shawn Perry puts the finishing touches on his client’s upswept hairdo.
410-730-4000
4785 Dorsey Hall Dr. • Ste. 108 • Ellicott City, Md. 21042 10 Trends
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ity that it needs to hold more than one style. “People want hair that moves,” says Best. Many of these spring looks offer bounce and body with low maintenance. Although cut, color and texture are an important part of having a trendy, up-to-date look, maintaining shiny, healthy hair is an even greater necessity. No matter the cut of your new spring look, healthy, manageable hair is the ultimate accessory. “Clients trust our judgment. They look for us to help create a new look or image for them,” says Best. Although that trust is there, some people prefer to show their stylists what looks they want. Celebrities, models, award shows and music videos often inspire many of these looks and help to
shape the forecasts and trends. Salon Infinity offers client consultations so that all parties involved can plan and achieve the best look. “There are a lot of factors that you have to take into consideration when it comes to color,” says Best. Over-processing is one complication associated with color treatments. Another major concern is the overall health of the hair. Best suggests making routine salon visits, sometimes as often as once a week. Salon Infinity’s repertoire runs the gamut of hairstyles and hair types for men and women. The salon employs natural stylists, a lyeticionist, colorists, a weave specialist and stylists. “If you’re going to do color this spring, keep up the maintenance and conditioning,” advises Best. “But most importantly, “have fun with the color.”
Left, Salon Infiniti owner Tonjia Best snips, hot irons and curls her client’s hair into an eye-catching style. Right, Stylist Aneesah Lambertis shampoos a client’s hair.
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Tricked By Ammanuel Moore
out cars
N
“That’s hot!”
“That’s ridiculous.” “What a waste of money.”
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o matter which of these you mumbled when you saw the car next to you with operating televisions in the headrests and dashboard, there’s one thing that happened for certain — you took notice. Vehicle customization has been around almost since the invention of the automobile itself. And the trend for tricked-out rides with custom rims and other accessories seen on television shows like MTV’s Pimp My Ride, DIY’s Tricked Out and TLC’s Overhaulin is going mainstream, making automotive customization a multibillion dollar industry. “From teenagers on up to 70-year-olds. We get them all,” said Ronald Wells, part owner of J&J Custom Auto World, a top-of-the-line auto accessory and service shop located in Baltimore County. “It’s more than just rims. Everyone is trying to bring a little of the luxury of home to the car.” Ronald and his team install televisions, DVD players, PlayStations, Xboxes and even Direct TV just about as much as they perform traditional upgrades such as custom wheels and tint. Sometimes the job goes over the top. “Often, we’ll get requests that just may not be realistic. We like to provide ideas to customers that are feasible and compatible with their vehicle,” said Ronald. “We have a rule — if it doesn’t fit, we don’t force it. Safety definitely comes first. We don’t care how much money is involved.” When it comes to finding the balance between safety and style, Ronald practices what he preaches. His own vehicle, a 2002 Cadillac Escalade with 26-inch rims
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and Lamborghini styled doors that open up and down rather than the normal swing out motion was done with at least a hint of safety in mind. “At first I wanted to have the doors open and close by remote or battery operation, but decided they should be manual in case I need to get out of the car in an emergency,” he said. Custom jobs can range from a few dollars with simple do-it-yourself kits or thousands of dollars for highly complicated and professional installation services. Why would someone spend so much for something that takes them from point A to point B? The answer — personal preference. “Your car is an extension of your personality,” said Project Coordinator Felicia Daniel, 33, who drives a BMW 525. Though Felicia is not into extreme customization, she does prefer to bring a few things to her car that add uniqueness and Continued on page 16
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Technology for Driving
right music, directions and night-vision with the
we can go
anywhere e
By Talibah Chikwendu
We are spending more time than ever before in our cars. We are working farther away from home and our regular activities keep us on the go. We are even traveling farther to do the things we like to do. All this ‘drive time’ has driven a need for comfort and style in our vehicles and the industry has responded. Whether purchased with the car or later, there are many devices in the areas of audio, navigation and safety that are “dressin’ up” our rides.
of the music we love, wherever we are, whenever we want. Having this in the car is a natural next step. Many cars are being equipped with auxiliary jacks for connecting the MP3 player to the car’s audio system. But that is the tip of the iceberg. VDO Dayton and others make CD MP3 Player radio systems to take this medium to a whole new level. VDO’s CD 2604 MP3X is full of
VDO’s CD 2604 MP3X is full of state-of-the-art Audio features, including: Music has always been highly steering wheel and personal and for many years a simple AM/FM radio in the car has not cut it. credit card IR remote While listening to your favorite station controls, control of is okay, sometimes, you only want to mobile phone functions hear the music you want to hear. MP3 from the radio display players have become popular because they allow us to have large quantities and an SD/MMC card reader.
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state-of-the-art features, including: steering wheel and credit card IR remote controls, control of mobile phone functions from the radio display and an SD/MMC card reader. This system supports MP3 on CD containing up to 300 music tracks and works with a mounted CD changer. And believe it or not, it includes a radio too. Of course, even radio isn’t just radio anymore. Satellite radio services are also becoming popular additions to new cars and a convenient aftermarket add on. Because the music is organized into channels, it is closer to listening to your own music collection and a nice complement to the MP3.
Navigation Of course, as we are listening to our personally designed concerts, we need to make sure we don’t get lost on the way to our destination. Never fear, the industry has not left us alone in the woods without a compass. They have given us GPS. GPS, or global positioning systems, work off a series of satellites that circle the earth twice a day, sending out information about their position in space and the time. This information is picked up by devices which, after interpreting the signals from at least three satellites, can give the exact position of the device.
are designed to be ready to go out of the box, without requiring activation or installation. The displays are clear with a 3D navigation view and the GO700 even offers hands-free calling via Bluetooth. TomTom One also has the Rider, a GPS unit designed for the motorcycle, with the touch screen oriented for use with gloved hands; a rugged, waterproof construction and a Bluetooth headset for in-helmet use. The Rider can also be used inside the car. It automatically recognizes the mode of transportation and changes the display accordingly.
Safety Of course, armed with the music of our choice and unable to get lost, we are probably just a little more willing to tackle unfamiliar terrain at night. So of course, what we need is something that will help us identify hazards on those dark residential and back roads. Again the industry has not let us down, providing a solution in the form of Far Infra-Red (FIR) Night Vision technology. This innovation uses a special infrared (IR) video camera to detect heat coming from objects with a temperature above absolute zero. It then projects the images onto a screen in the
The FIR utilized by BMW allows the driver to see almost 1,000 feet ahead, which according to BMW is “twice as far as other systems.”
GPS devices use the positioning information to provide directions, relevant traffic and weather information and even details about landmarks, restaurants and lodging. TomTom One, one of many companies making these devices, has two reasonably priced, feature-laden products worth checking out. The TomTom One Go series devices
vehicle, allowing the driver to detect obstacles, hazards and dangers not clearly visible to the human eye until much closer. The FIR utilized by BMW allows the driver to see almost 1,000 feet ahead, which according to BMW is “twice as far as other systems.” Because FIR detects heat in a narrow spectrum and not light, it does not reflect glare from oncoming headlights or highly reflective surfaces, creating useful images in overly bright situations, even when the eyes cannot. Armed with music, the directions to anywhere and super-hero night vision, no wonder we are spending so much time behind the wheel.
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Tricked out cars Continued from page 13
get away from that simple ‘off the assembly line’ look. She recently increased her rim size from 16 inches to 18 and added a navigation system. Kevin Emerson, owner of Rim Source II, agrees that cars are more than just a mode of transportation. His take on the subject — a car is an empty canvas with the potential to become a work of art. His own car, a BMW, is customized down to the emblem, which he had changed from the traditional blue and white to green and white to match his dark green soft top. “I don’t want to drive anything that looks like something somebody else has,” Kevin said. “Even my rims were custom made. I designed those rims for me. They’re one of a kind, you can’t buy them anywhere.” When customers come into Kevin’s shop, he tries to convince them to be daring and not just get what everyone else is getting. He encourages customers to be individuals and gives them
some guidance to really enhance their car. “Some will try something new. Most want what they’ve seen done.” As more drivers take control of the look and feel of their car, truck or SUV, automobile manufacturers are starting to creep into the customization territory. Two automobile manufacturers that regularly compete with customization shops, Chrysler and GMC have recently started offering chrome rims, console-based televisions and other amenities with their luxury or high end packages. “This just shows you, people don’t buy the cars that are built,” said Kevin. “People buy and drive cars they want.”
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Answering the age-old question,
“What to
wear?? wear
”
By Christina D. Cruse
It’s almost the end of the workday; you’re excited and a million thoughts are running through your mind. There’s an event that same evening and you know everything has to be picture perfect from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. But the ever-looming question in your mind remains unanswered: What to wear? And while cable network TLC can tell you What Not To Wear, you wish it were as simple as Stacey London and Clinton Kelly telling you what to assemble for the best possible outfit for you. Racing home, as fast as humanly
possible, because the flow of traffic on the JFX and the Beltway is seriously hindering your progress, you think and think and think. What can I wear? What do I have to wear? Which of my friends wears the same size clothes as I do? Do I have enough time to go shopping and pick something up? Probably not. Back to the closet overflowing with “nothing to wear.” When getting ready for an event, the first thing to consider is the type of event you’ll be attending. This will narrow your search to a specific type of clothing. When attending an informal
event it is best to know how informal it will be. Are jeans allowed? When attending a formal event, how formal is it? Is after five attire necessary or am I required to wear a ball gown? Once you’ve come to a conclusion, you’re still back to the age-old question of what to wear. But at least your search won’t be as overwhelming. So you finally reach your home, race through the door, trip up the stairs and throw off articles of clothing along the way. You’re on your way to getting ready. At this point you can breathe a sigh of relief because just getting home is half the battle and you’ve successfully managed to conquer that. So taking extra care to scrub all the day’s dirt from your body and shaving every area that might potentially be exposed and using the good-smelling, special occasion body wash, you’re fully confident that you’ll be the cleanest, best smelling
Yes, it seems somewhat juvenile to have a rainbow of clothing peeking out of your dresser drawers and closet doors, but it will honestly save you time. person at the event. You’re still deciding what to wear but now you can put your hand directly on the garments and experiment with your options. Time is winding up and though you’ve given yourself extra time to prepare, you still hear that nagging question in your head: What to wear? What some women do is multitask because time is now of the essence. This includes going about your after-shower routine and calling a close girlfriend at the same time to get ideas you wouldn’t have thought of. Here’s a hint that can save time and a migraine in the end. Organize your 18 Trends
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clothes by color. Yes, it seems somewhat juvenile to have a rainbow of clothing peeking out of your dresser drawers and closet doors, but it will honestly save you time. A disorganized wardrobe causes a disorganized thought process and you’ll never find anything to wear. Think about what you have to wear according to color. What color do you want to wear? You already know what you have in your closet and should already know what types of clothes you have in those particular colors. Another tip is to know which colors compliment your skin tone. Stick with what works best for you, being careful not to go too bright or too dark. You want to be noticed but you don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb wearing too bright colors or go totally unnoticed wearing colors that are too dark. So now you’re at the point where you’re becoming frantic. Your girlfriend has given you suggestions and even though it may work fabulously for her, it’s just not working for you, not even on a mediocre level. Your heart is racing
and you’re nervously pacing to and from the mirror clasping at several articles of clothing and praying in desperation that something will work. Of course it’s always easy to throw together an outfit for anything else but this particular event. And then, your aha moment! You’ve figured it out. How could you have been so clueless? Don’t smack yourself in the head. Just say, “Duh” and keep it moving. You’ve figured out the picture in the puzzle and it’s smooth sailing from now on. Everything fits into place. The shoes, the accessories, the perfume, the makeup, the hair. You’re looking at a beautiful, smiling, confident you and you’re ready to knock ‘em dead. Your inside is matching your outside. You’re feeling classy, fun, sexy and appropriate and you’re ready to take on the world. And after taking that last glimpse of yourself, you strut like a peacock to your car and take off as though nothing could slow you down and bring you off your natural high.
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For more information contact Vanessa Jackson, Director of Dance at 410.951.3355 or vjackson@coppin.edu For ticket information or reservation contact 410-935-2996
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African-American News and Lifestyle A perfect combination G et a free subscription to Trends Magazine with your subscription to the Afro-American Newspaper. For more information or to subscribe call 1-800-AFRO-892 or visit www.AFRO.com.
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Friends and lovers:
Can the twain meet?
By Zenitha Prince
I’d done it so many times that it had become second nature to me — dressing up, putting on my best to attend a reception or luncheon, the purpose of which had been lost beneath my overriding desire to meet a good man; or going out dancing at Latin Palace,
a salsa joint on Broadway in Baltimore, on a chilly winter night because Latin men might just be the way to go for me after all. But soon, the ritual became a burden. I mean, why bother dressing up and going out anyway, if the only men who will approach you
are the drunken aging roués who hang around these events waiting for single, unsuspecting women just like me? Then one day I had an epiphany. Actually, it sort of snuck up on me easily before pole axing me in the stomach: Why was I searching far and wide for a significant other when I was surrounded by so many eligible male friends? Actually, it was one male friend in particular, some-
one I had never looked at in a remotely romantic way until then — he was tall, dark and handsome (the requisites for many a woman’s fantasy man); ambitious, funny and very respectful to women, which I witnessed first hand during his relationships with his ex-girlfriends, and for some time, he had nursed some non-platonic feelings for me. But even as I reveled in the A publication of the Afro-American Newspapers
Trends Spring 2006.indd 21
Jessica and Kevin Powe are an enduring example of how friends make the perfect mates. The couple got married last March after more than a decade of friendship.
possibility of a fulfilling relationship, I was plagued by a vague sense of misgiving. Was it really possible for friends to become lovers? My mom, who at 50 is a veritable sage, put my fears into more concrete terms. “It’s a good idea,” she said, “except that sometimes people don’t make the transition very well from friendship love to romantic love. The risk of it is that you can end up losing a good friend and not even having a lover.” And that, my friends, is the crux of this matter that has long been debated in the dating world: Do you really want to risk losing a friend for a chance at love that can likely fail? And what if you don’t try, would you be giving up the chance at the love of a lifetime? Tierra Buggs, a 25-year-old Washington, D.C. resident who has been Continued on page 22 Trends 21
3/6/06 6:13:44 PM
The Cadillac Escalade:
A big boy with class By Valencia Muhammed
The 2006 Cadillac ESV, with its Vortec 6.0-liter, 345-horsepower engine, is considered by the manufacturer to be the “world’s most powerful seven-passenger, full-size sport utility vehicle. It makes you feel like you are riding on top of everything around you. No matter what other SUV passed it on the road, the Escalade always stood out. Maybe it was the huge chrome grille with the Cadillac emblem in the front. Or maybe it was the shiny 20-inch wheels and
tires glistening on each side. It commanded an audience of onlookers everywhere we traveled. It’s built the way a Cadillac is supposed to be built — with precision and durability. Driving and riding in the Escalade is similar to living large like the stars. It comes equipped with not one but two DVD players for passengers, along with earphones. The kids were watching movies while I was singing along to some soulful tunes on XM radio. The Escalade is “full-figure friendly” for all of us who have not realized our weight-reduction goals. It also accommodated a group that experiences “personal summers and hot winters.” We each controlled the temperature in our seating area. It also has pockets, compartments and lots of additional storage throughout. When you think about the Escalade, think large. It comes equipped with a front armrest storage compartment that is spacious enough for two books, a small purse, several DVDs, a couple of CDs and other personal items; three rows of seating with ample leg and head room; no blind spots; and an
indicator system located on the exterior mirrors that can be seen from a wide distance. And OnStar works! When the key was mistakenly left in the vehicle, it only took 10 minutes after the vehicle identification number and PIN were given to the OnStar security system before the door was electronically unlocked. I was more than impressed. The commercials are not fabrications. This is one of the best standard features of the vehicle, and it is offered as a one-year service. Some of the standard features include heated and cooled front-powered seats with 14 positions; 20-inch chrome wheels and tires; DVD navigation radio; power sunroof; heated and cooled cup holders; heated and cooled second-row bucket seats; cushiony leather interior; rear-seat audio; steering wheel radio controls; and tri-zone auto climate control. The Escalade ESV offers just 13 miles per gallon in the city and 17 mpg on the highway. However, anyone who buys this vehicle should not be concerned about fuel mileage. Comfort, luxury, safety and security describe the 2006 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum trim. The manufacturers suggested retail price is $70,175.
Photo courtesy of Cadillac and General Motors Corp.
The 2006 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum offers two DVD players for its second- and third-row passengers.
Friends and lovers Continued from page 21
swimming in the dating pool for some time, said that a friend can become the perfect mate but only if you’re not confusing having sex with having a relationship. “Sometimes people say they don’t want to start a relationship with a friend because it could mess up the friendship. If you’re just looking for someone to be intimate with then you shouldn’t get involved with your friend but if you’re looking for something long term then you and that person should be really tight, you need to be partners,” Buggs said. Jessica Powe, 23, of Baltimore said 22 Trends
Trends Spring 2006.indd 22
she has personal experience of how fulfilling a romantic relationship between friends can be. She and her husband of almost one year, Kevin, were friends way before they decided to get married. “I’ve known Kevin since we were about 10 or 11. We met at church,” Powe said. “The first time we met I was awfully rude to him but as we became older, we became closer.” The pair first became ‘boyfriend and girlfriend’ when they were about 12 and 13. In the ensuing years, Jessica and Kevin would break up and make up several times, though they always remained friends. When Powe left Bal-
timore for Neumann College in Aston, Pa., that was the longest and biggest separation they ever had. But in her junior year at college, she called Kevin on his birthday and that conversation sparked the flames of their romance again. “After that, the relationship grew stronger and stronger and three years later we got married,” Powe said. The couple will be celebrating their one-year anniversary this March. “One of the best things is that I always have a buddy to hang out with,” said Powe of the relationship. “We vibe off of each other. When I’m down, he can make me laugh and it’s the same for him. It makes me feel comfortable to know that he knows me so well. I can be myself; I don’t have to put on a front. He’s watched me grow up so I don’t have to bring him up
to date on why I am the way I am and I don’t have to wonder why he is the way he is; we know each other.” Having someone know me that well scares me. I’ll always worry that if the romance fizzles then the friendship will also fizzle out and die. “If you’re truly friends and the romantic part doesn’t work out as you planned then I don’t think it would affect the friendship,” Buggs assured me, “because if you truly are friends, you love and respect the other person above and beyond your expectations of them.” Now that was deep. It makes me believe that a relationship with a friend can work out. What of the risks? Dating is risky business but it must be safer to take a risk on a person you know than on someone you don’t know. Isn’t that like a law or saying or something?
A publication of the Afro-American Newspapers
3/6/06 6:13:57 PM
Dream. Wish. Hope. Soar. In the amazing world of a child, inspiration is all around her. "Inspiration Makes Me...", an Educational Activity from 365Black, is designed to help children discover the source of their inspiration. Encourage your child to participate by writing about who or what inspires her. She could be rewarded with prizes for her school, teacher or even a $1,000 gift certificate for herself. It’s a great way to teach your child the value of self-expression and open her eyes to endless possibilities for her future. Please visit www.365black.com for more information.
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McDonald's Restaurants of Greater Washington and Baltimore area No purchase necessary. Essay or purchase will not improve your chance of winning. Many will enter, 65 students will win. Open to legal residents of the U.S. enrolled in grades 1 through 5 at an eligible school. Mail your name, address, date of birth, grade, phone number with your parent/legal guardian signature to: inspiration makes me entry grade ____: P.O. Box 3115 Oakbrook, IL 60522-3115. For fun, you could send a few sentences about ‘what inspires you’ on an 8 1/2 x 11 paper with your entry, but you don't have to for a chance to win. All entries must be received by March 7, 2006. Check out the official rules inside ® participating McDonald’s or at 365black.com for restrictions, prize information including their value, your chances of winning, how to enter without buying something at McDonald’s and all other details. Void where prohibited.
Trends Spring 2006.indd 23
AN EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY FROM
© 2006 McDonald’s
3/6/06 6:14:15 PM
Seasons Hospice is proud of its commitment to diversity End of Life Care… The Choices… The Journey…
Preparing to Care for Elderly African Americans is an exciting, informative seminar being offered to certified nursing assistants and community caregivers in Baltimore City. This seminar has been made possible by a federal grant funded by The Health Resources and Services Administration. The goal of the seminar is to enhance hospice awareness and to provide members of the African American community with information and resources regarding life care, which will ultimately improve the utilization of hospice and palliative services among African Americans in Baltimore City. Come and join us as we
Workshop Topics:
• Cultural Sensitivity in End of Life Care • Improving Communication at End of Life • Senior and End of Life Resources • Advance Directives • Hospice and Palliative Care Philosophy and Services • African American Concepts of Grief, Healing and Spirituality • Racial Disparities in Pain and Symptom Management
empower our community to make better choices! The workshop will be presented from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm the following days in 2006: March 28, 2006 April 20, 2006 May 18, 2006 June 13, 2006 Light breakfast and lunch will be served for participants each day
If you would like to register for a seminar contact: Ayanna Williams RN, Grant Program Manager Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care awilliams@seasons.org Office: 443-893-2328 • Fax: 410-277-4251
An intensive 2 day version of this program is available for licensed nurses and social workers. Please call for more information.
Trends Spring 2006.indd 24
3/6/06 7:04:55 PM