The Chronicle, U.S.A.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Mummies of the World Exhibition at California Science Center

Mummies Arrive in Los Angeles 
Under Heavy Security; Motorcade 
Accompanies Rare Collection
to California Science Center 
for World Premiere of Mummies 
of the World Exhibition

American Exhibitions, Inc. Brings the Largest-Ever Exhibition of Mummies To the California Science Center July 1, 2010 for a Limited Engagement


LOS ANGELES, May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The largest collection of mummies ever assembled will travel nearly 6,000 miles to make its highly anticipated arrival in Los Angeles on Friday, May 28. The mummies are traveling to the United States for the first time as part of the Mummies of the World exhibition, set to make its world debut at the California Science Center on July 1.
American Exhibitions, Inc. (AEI), will bring the priceless,
 carefully guarded mummies and related artifacts on an 11-hour journey from Germany and land at Los Angeles International Airport, where a security-detailed motorcade will escort the treasured mummies along a 13.5-mile route to the California Science Center.
There, security will unload its precious cargo, and experts will spend the month of June unpacking and preparing Mummies of the World for its opening. This must-see exhibition premieres on July 1, launching a limited engagement at the California Science Center and a three-year, seven-city tour around the country.

"Inside every mummy is a story waiting to be told," says James Delay, vice president of American Exhibitions, Inc., who is traveling with the mummies as they make their journey to the U.S. "Using state-of-the-art scientific research, the secrets of the mummies are now revealed."

Mummies of the World is a highly distinguished project that has been years in the making for AEI, working with 15 world-renowned museums in seven countries to bring to the U.S. a never-before-seen collection of mummies and related artifacts from South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and Egypt. Its treasures include one of the oldest mummy infants ever discovered; a mummified family; a German nobleman discovered by his own descendants; and intentionally preserved Egyptian animal mummies.

-- The Detmold Child is a remarkably preserved Peruvian child mummy,
radiocarbon dated to 4504-4457 B.C. - more than 3,000 years before the
birth of King Tut.
-- The Orlovits family - Michael, Veronica and their son Johannes - was
part of a group of 18th-century mummies found in a long-forgotten
church crypt in Vac, Hungary in 1994.
-- Baron von Holz is a 17th-century nobleman believed to have died in
Sommersdorf, Germany during the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), who was
discovered in the crypt of his family's 14th-century castle still
wearing his boots.
-- Egyptian cat mummies, elaborately wrapped in painted linen bandaging,
date to the Ptolemaic period, and show how Egyptian cats were
intentionally preserved to accompany their royals into the afterlife.

This important exhibition dispels the notions and misconceptions about mummies and uses science tools to reach across time, demonstrating how scientific methods can illuminate the history of people and enhance our knowledge about cultures around the world. It also shows that mummification - both through natural processes and intentional practices - has taken place all over the globe, from the hot desert sands of South America to remote European moors and bogs.

Mummies of the World is a ticketed event and requires a timed-entry. Advance reservations are highly recommended. Tickets can be purchased online beginning June 6 at www.californiasciencecenter.org or by calling 323-SCIENCE (323-724-3623). Group reservations are available at 888-MUMMY TIX (888-686-6984)

More information about the exhibition is online: www.mummiesoftheworld.com.

American Exhibitions, Inc. is one of the leading exhibition producers in the United States, specializing in world-class touring exhibitions for science centers and museums. please visit our website at www.californiasciencecenter.org.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Black & White: Kids on Color CNN Special

Please don't show it. Please don't tell!
Sitting and watching TJ Holmes present CNN's Black & White: Kids on Color, Tuesday morning,
I hoped that after the commercial break, I would not hear a discussion on blacks still being color struck.
But it happened anyway.
I guess it doesn't matter how wide a range of skin colors exist in American families.
The tester in the segment asked again and again: Which child is the pretty one, smart one, bad one, etc.
Most of the children chose darker skinned pictures as bad or ugly children and the lighter one as good or pretty. Only a few opted out of complexion stereotyping or as old folks say, being color struck.
The CNN series examines complexion-based internalized racism in school aged children from white and black races. The study mimics the 1939-1940 doll studies conducted
by two black psychologists.
First, the white children were asked questions about the cartoon pictures of asexual dolls, nearly hairless, arranged in a range of complexions from light to dark.
Most chose the lightest ones as a representation of good and the darkest ones of bad.
Then comes the African American children's responses. I held my breath. I tried not to watch. I didn't want to hear the truth.
"Why is this one pretty?" a tester asked after a child pointed to the lightest example as pretty.
"...because she is light-skinned," a pretty dark-skinned girl said.
"Bias towards white is still a part of our culture." A voice over said.
Don't fret Blacks because Whites have the same color struck conversations in their households. A
pinkish hue is still favored over ruddy or olive complexion--as long as there is still an ability to tan reasonably well.
But one needs only to look throughout their own friends and family to see these hurtful stereotypes repeated and reinforced.
It is a good thing that stunning beauty is held in the facial bone structure of an individual and not the skin color.
I wish someone would tell the kids the truth about beauty because skin color stereotypes are perpetuated through the generations, maintained in the home and reinforced in society. (Oh, good hair counts too.)
Read more: http://ping.fm/g7yZ4

ChiStepper.com Soul Series Phase I

PRESS RELEASE
May 16/2010

For Immediate Release
"Marcell and The Truth"
ChiStepper Interview and Live Performance

Soul Series Phase I

CHICAGO, IL: ChiStepper.com interviews Marcell and The Truth for the first time in two years. Log on today to read the full interview. Also, as you can see from the banner above, Marcell is performing at ChiStepper.com, Dre & Company, and Ken Bedford's "Summer Soul Series" on Sunday, June 13th at the 9 million restaurant and nightclub, Alhambra Palace located at 1240 W. Randolph. Tickets can be purchased at www.chisteppercom/soulseries. If you haven't made up your mind yet, here are 10 reasons why you should definitely be there:

10. Embrace The Dance - The Soul Series caps off Sistas In Sync's "Embrace The Dance" weekend, so you'll have plenty of Out-of-Towners and locals to hang out with.

9. Good Music - DJ Cross is DJing so you know you're getting the best new and old school Steppin' music.

8. Party Like a Rockstar - Party like a millionaire, but on a budget at the 9 million dollar state-of-the-art night club located just a block from Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Studios. Advance tickets only $10, Door tickets only $15, and VIP Floor Seating for only $25.

7. Be Seen - ChiStepper will have a photographer there to capture your cool and sexy outfits for the ChiStepper photogallery.

6. Have Fun - The Heavy Hitters will be in the building as usual for good dancing before, during, and after the performances. ChiStepper.com, Dre and Company, and Ken Bedford Productions is bringing in Marcell and The Truth.

5. Great Networking - Meet the who's who of the Steppers and business community. With T. Pratt, Ken Bedford, Dre & Company, and Akkeem "The Dream" Berry Sr., you never know who's going to show up.

4. Be In The Know - You'll be the first to learn who's up next as we'll present the lineup for the Soul Series Phase II live at the event.

3. Our Track Record - ChiStepper, Dre & Company, and Ken Bedford all have terrific track records for throwing great parties. By combining forces, we hope to continue this tradition.

2. DJ Markey G - DJ Markey G is opening up by performing tracks from his new album "Stepmentalz." He'll be performing the popular Steppin' track "I Wanna Go Steppin" and his Steppers classic "I'm The Man."

1. Marcell and The Truth - Marcell will be singing all of his Steppers classics: Maybe I'm Not The Man; Hopes Too High; Breathe Love; and Cold Rain from the "Hopes Too High" album, and "Seed You Water," from the new album "Symbols" for the first time at a Steppers event EVER! Marcell will have his new CD "Symbols" with him and he'll be selling autographed copies at the event.


* Note to the Steppers - This IS NOT A CONCERT! This will be a Steppers party, where you all are encouraged to dance while the entertainers sing. They'd have it no other way.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

What I Should Have Said Is...

I think if Black Leaders were seen as well connected to the Black Community, they would have a better chance at holding an audience with the President, I think.
Courting The People is a good idea. You never get to know what is really going on if you are not there in person, often times. I'd like to see an enriched relationship between Black Leaders and The Community-at-Large.
Yeah, that's what I meant to say.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

What About the Kids, Arizona Legislators?

Arizona was the last state to sign the Martin Luther King Day bill into law. I took note of that then and I take note with parts of their anti-ethnic education bill.
Why is it that the people of Arizona feel the way they do about minorities? What are they going through every day that makes them not accepting of minorities and why can't they handle their frustrations any better than they have been doing?
Granted, if a politician runs for office and is elected by the people for the people he or she should serve the people completely. More qualified people should have run for office if the people wanted a smarter legislature. However, why stop the African American education curriculum in public schools? Really.
Every ethnic race, Eastern European, African, Hispanic, Dominican, Italian etc. deserves to be highlighted for their race's achievements in American history. The culmination is that we have all contributed in making this country great, so why cull those parts out? It is not a good solution to the problems in Arizona. Students in Arizona won't know or understand who they are or where they come from when they are not taught about European immigrants and what they did to establish their place in American history and culture. Damn shame. There are a lot of European immigrants in this country.
Read more: http://ping.fm/pfjAZ
http://ping.fm/wfRMD

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Seth MacFarlane on FG Controversy

Family Guy Transgender Episode or Quagmire's Dad Gets a Sex-Change Operation

I saw the Family Guy transgender episode and I just have to say: Please don't act as if we don't already know and understand prejudice exists in America. Seth just did it in a funnier way.
Really. You who support or are GLAAD didn't know that people laugh behind your back and make fun of you? Right. Well, I never heard a racist black joke either. Or a fat joke.
SMH at the whole matter. Seth MacFarlane is in the business of comedy. He is the Equal Opportunity Offender and so the f what. He makes me laugh and I thought the episode was funnier than anything.
Along the lines of GLAAD, I should have expressed similar dismay and agitation at the "My Black Son," cut away. ..."and also he's a Ninja!" Really now, we knew what he was edging at but I was so shocked and stupefied, I laughed because it was funny and we all have a turn at the wheel with the FG creator. So what. He pokes fun at the inhabitants of the Northeast every time FG airs. Look at how he portrays these folks and they're not complaining. They are laughing. Maybe they don't take themselves as seriously as everyone else does. Seth grew up in this Northeastern environment and he is only conveying a portion of what he experienced growing up. There are not many of our generation who bother to participate in our Pop Culture Renaissance. They point out more things we have in common on the show than what they point out as different. Watch the episode in question. Notice how Peter, Lois and Brian interact when Brian makes an announcement about a trip. Listen to that dialogue. And the "can of pennies?!" That is comedy gold and it hits so close to home. The indifference in which we all treat each other in families is a common strand. Trying to get a family member who is so not interested in what you are doing to be interested in you and what you are doing, is an every day challenge for those of us who still bother to interact with our families. I laughed so hard at that. Gold, Seth baby, gold.
I support Seth and the FG team. They're great and they make me laugh and think at the same time. I personally think folk should stop being so fn sensitive and Chicken Little-ish. Save the fight for when it really matters so that you'll have supporters for your cause when you really need it. Also be glad that the issue has been placed before relevant portions of the American public rather than be ignored and shoved out of every one's mind!
More information on the issue: http://ping.fm/e9ZDF
http://ping.fm/OwiVg

Monday, May 10, 2010

FOX on Demand - The Cleveland Show clip with Kanye West and Cleavland Jr. Lyric Battle

FOX on Demand - The Cleveland Show

Reversal of Fortune: A documentary on Showtime

I saw a good portion of this documentary on Mother's Day and found it quite interesting. First off, I would like to know where the filmmaker got $100,000 to give to a homeless man?
Obviously, the guy had some personality disorders, delusions, etc.
He does not know the right thing to do and as he stated, his mother was a "bar whore." He said that on the weekends, he found a different man his mother would bring into his home as a child. I wonder what types of abuse he experienced as a child and if he is a result of one of his mother's trysts? No one asked him any follow up questions.
Maybe that is why he frequented bars. Then again he also said he had not had a woman in years and that most of the woman he meets found him undesirable for either his lack of teeth in the front of his head or other reasons. (Check out how he argued with that woman at the recycling center. Really.)
After one's basic needs are met they are supposed to climb Maslow's hierarchy of Need, not just stop at the basics, safety, food, clothing, shelter, emotional needs. But he did not know that and he is obviously not self-actualized. Many are not and that is the basic problem with society.
In his defense however, he has a kind heart and gave the ones close to him some of his treasure. He gets big points for that. I think at least one of them should have convinced him to use the financial counselor. With discipline, that money could have lasted quite a while. But self-discipline is a quality many people do not own. His outlook on life is to live without restraint so the very nature of giving him a large sum of money could have led to his death. Then what would the filmmaker do? That money could have gone to a socially well-adjusted but struggling family. I wonder what they would have done?
http://ping.fm/x9iMm
http://ping.fm/7CzhH

Monday, May 03, 2010

Seth is a Comedic Genius

The Bank Vault episode was Seth's best ever idea. I was immediately drawn into the dialogue. I could not believe what Brian did! I cannot believe Seth got away with that. It was stellar!
Every season, Seth MacFarlane surprises me with even more of his scathingly deep, genius. I have to buy the season DVD. I just have to.
This man Seth, has the humor market cornered!
("Seth" does mean "the anointed one," after all...)

I posted this on the Yahoo message board and on Seth's Facebook page.
I listened to Seth explain this episode on Larry King a week or so ago but I had no idea the episode would be so intense.
Kudos, Seth. I guess you will never run out of comedic genius. The feelings and emotions of the characters leaped toward me and drew me into their minds. I had not watched anything so intently in a while.
There is a lot thought and emotion rambling around in Seth's head and a bit of it was released in that Bank Vault episode.
A study in excellence, it was.
(now you have to write a novel, Seth)

Saturday, May 01, 2010

I Want to Touch TJ Holmes' Thigh Too

Fitness guru Denise Austin and Actress/Director Debbie Allen appeared on CNN weekend morning edition with news anchor TJ Holmes Saturday. It was lively and informative. Near the end of the segment, Denise stood up and invited TJ to touch her rock hard stomach. He did. Then, she touched his leg. OK, she open-palm, grabbed his thigh and felt him up. She said he was fit. TJ declined to open his suit jacket so that she may feel his rock hard abs, to the disappointment of many audience members around the globe.
Basically, the ladies said consume fewer calories and increase calorie burn and weight loss will occur. Or, simply put less food on your plate and stop overeating.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Oklahoma to Become Fourth Retail Market for Honda's Natural Gas-Powered Civic GX

Dealer network expands for retail sales of nation's only natural gas-powered vehicle sold by an OEM

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., recently announced that dealers in Oklahoma will now have the option of selling the compressed natural gas (CNG) powered Honda Civic GX to customers on a retail basis. There are 13 Honda dealers in Oklahoma, three of which are already selling the Civic GX as a fleet vehicle.

"Expanding Honda's Civic GX retail program along with the continued success of fleet sales expresses our commitment to the environment and natural gas vehicle technology," said Elmer Hardy, senior manager of Alternative Fuel Vehicle Sales & Marketing. "Honda seeks market opportunities for the Civic GX where strong natural gas refueling infrastructure exists, and we continue to see its promise as a clean, sustainable, domestically-sourced alternative fuel."

Honda is the only OEM currently selling a CNG-powered vehicle on a retail basis in the United States. Additionally, the Civic GX is the only OEM-built, CNG-powered passenger car assembled in America. The Civic GX is built on the same assembly line as the gasoline-powered Civic 4-door models at Honda's Greensburg, Indiana manufacturing facility.

In 2006, the Civic GX became available for the first time to retail customers in California. Since then, retail sales have expanded to New York, Utah and now, Oklahoma. Currently, 43 dealers in California, 19 in New York and eight in Utah have added Retail Sales Addendums to their Honda Sales Agreements that enable them to sell the Civic GX on a retail basis. When including dealerships that sell fleet vehicles, there are a total of 134 Civic GX dealers in 33 states.

Oklahoma is an ideal market to expand retail sales of the Civic GX with its low refueling costs, a generous state tax incentive toward the purchase of a new Civic GX and solid fleet sales. As the second largest natural gas producing state in the U.S., Oklahoma already has a strong existing CNG station infrastructure with robust plans to expand the network over the next several years.

The 2010 Civic GX achieves an EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy of 24/36** miles per gasoline-gallon equivalent and is the only vehicle certified by the EPA to meet both Federal Tier 2-Bin 2 and Inherently Low Emission Vehicle (ILEV) zero evaporative emission certification standards. Additionally, the Honda Civic GX is the cleanest internal combustion vehicle ever tested by the EPA, and for the seventh straight year, the Civic GX NGV was named "Greenest Vehicle" by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Steppers Soul Series (Phase I)


Steppers Soul Series (Phase I)
Presents
"Marcell and The Truth" &
"DJ Markey G"
Hosted by ChiStepper.com, Dre and Company, & Ken Bedford Productions



Soul Series Phase I


CHICAGO, IL: The summer is looking a little sexier, as ChiStepper.com has partnered with Dre and Company and Ken Bedford Productions to bring you the "Steppers Soul Series." ChiStepper prides itself on creating outlets for those Steppers, both New and Old Skool, who appreciate a classy mature party, with great music, and good dancing.

On June 13th, 2010 (2nd Sunday), capping off Sistas In Sync's "Embrace The Dance" weekend, ChiStepper.com, Dre and Company, and Ken Bedford Productions is bringing in Marcell and The Truth. Marcell will be singing all of his Steppers classics: Maybe I'm Not The Man; Hopes Too High; Breathe Love; and Cold Rain from the "Hopes Too High" album, and "Seed You Water," from the new album "Symbols" for the first time in Chicago. Marcell will have his new CD "Symbols" with him and ChiStepper.com will be giving away a few FREE CD's on ChiStepper.com to Elite Advantage Members and some regular readers also.

In addition, we have DJ Markey G opening up, who just released his new album "Stepmentalz," and features the popular Steppin' track "I Wanna Go Steppin'." Markey G will also be performing his Steppers classic "I'm The Man." Don't get it confused though, this IS NOT A CONCERT! This will be a Steppers party, where you all are encouraged to dance while the entertainers sing. They'd have it no other way.

It has been a dream of mine to bring a live element to Steppin' ... and to do it downtown in the summer at the 9 million dollar "Alhambra Palace" is going to be awesome. By the way, this is only Phase I of the "Steppers Soul Series." On July 18th, 2010 (3rd Sunday) we're bringing you two more popular artists with tracks that we love, who have never ever before performed in front of the Chicago Steppin' audience. Then, we'll wrap up the Soul Series up on Sunday, August 15th (3rd Sunday) with two more Steppin' artists.

Steppers, you asked from something fresh, classy, and unique and here it is. DJ Cross will be in the booth spinning the best of New and Old Skool Steppers music. Come out and party with T. Pratt, Dre Blackwell, and Ken Bedford on June 13th as we cap off Sistas In Sync's "Embrace The Dance" weekend.
Upcoming Events

Stay tuned in to the hottest events in the nation and view the full flyers by clicking on ChiStepper's Upcoming Events page, located at: http://www.chistepper.com/Upcoming-Events

Send an email to ChiStepper@yahoo.com inquire about prices to post banners and or advertise on the Upcoming Events page!
ChiStepper.com is the Nation's Home For REAL Steppers. Tune in daily to stay up on the latest happenings on the national Steppin' scene.

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Thursday, February 11, 2010

Sade's smooth return a decade later - CNN.com

Sade's smooth return a decade later - CNN.com
"Solider of Love" was released February 9th to the delight of her fans.
CNN Entertainment reviews her new song, her 10 year hiatus and her multi-platinum CDs.

Watch Me Discuss Soapy Goodness - Made with Coconut Oil

Feel the Soapy Goodness on your skin

Feel the Soapy Goodness on your skin
Lathery, Creamy, Soapy Goodness - Made with Coconut Oil!