Like the ones about Miner being in the witness protection program. Or working at a Jack in the Box in Los Angeles. Or being a member of the LAPD and becoming an ordained minister.

"Oh my goodness, it's crazy," said Miner, now 39.

The truth is much less sensationalistic. Miner now resides in Las Vegas with his wife, 7-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son. He currently isn't working, and still lives off the over $20 million he made during a brief NBA career which -- unlike many pro athletes -- he managed and invested very diligently.

Miner says the biggest misconception about him is that he's a recluse, but such speculation about his whereabouts has become common since he last appeared in the NBA in 1996 because he hasn't been interviewed in over a decade.

He has rejected countless requests to speak with the fan favorite who earned the nickname "Baby Jordan" by winning two NBA Slam Dunk contests and dazzling crowds with his highlight-reel dunks. Even now, he only calls from a blocked phone number in an interview arranged through a former USC sports information director.

"I'm really kind of dumbfounded as to why people would be interested in reading a story about me," Miner said. "I haven't played in almost 15 years and I haven't done anything significant on a national scale since my junior year at SC almost 20 years ago. It's a trip, actually."

Seeing how he hasn't spoken publicly in so long, there's a couple things he wants to get off his chest. Specifically, he thanked his fans for all their support over the years, gave props to fellow Inglewood legend Paul Pierce for becoming an NBA star and even apologized to writers that covered him in Miami -- Ira Winderman and Shaun Powell -- for not being himself there because of his disappointing stay on South Beach.

So why now is Miner finally ready to speak?

"I just think it's time," Miner said. "It's been a long time."

It certainly has. Miner became a household name almost two decades ago as a junior at USC by piling up points and dunks during the 1991-92 season. Miner had the shaved head, No. 23 jersey, MJ mannerisms and the spectacular slams that reminded many of "His Airness." Suddenly, the "Baby Jordan" nickname he picked up on the playgrounds of Inglewood had spread across the nation and made him a star, something he always grappled with.

"I probably never got used to being in the spotlight," Miner said. "I'd say it's always been uncomfortable for me, not natural for me."

Miner led USC to a No. 2 seed in the 1992 NCAA Tournament, becoming USC's all-time leading scorer (a record he still holds) and earning Sports Illustrated's college basketball's Player of the Year award over LSU's Shaquille O'Neal and Duke's Christian Laettner. But the storybook season came to an abrupt end when Georgia Tech's James Forrest knocked the Trojans out of the second round on a legendary buzzer-beating 3-pointer. Weeks later, Miner held an emotional press conference to announce he would be turning pro.

Taken 12th overall in the '92 draft, the lefty swingman was expected to become a scoring and marketing machine. He signed a five-year, $7.3-million contract with the Heat as a rookie and an endorsement deal with Nike reportedly worth $14 million. But he never came close to reaching expectations, averaging under 10 points a game in his three years in Miami. Hobbled by injuries, Miner was criticized for his poor defense and wayward outside shooting.

He still had marketability after winning the 1993 and 1995 NBA Slam Dunk Contests (he could've had a three-peat if a knee injury didn't sideline him in 1994), so Cleveland took a chance on Miner with a trade in June of 1995. But he rode the pine there as well and his '96 season ended with knee surgery after averaging just three points per game.

Given one last shot by the Toronto Raptors before the 1997 season, Miner says he slipped on a wet spot and severely sprained the same knee, leaving him with no mobility and the writing on the wall.

"For the whole two weeks I was in Toronto I couldn't sleep -- I didn't sleep at all," Miner said. "I think I knew that that was it."

And just like that, Miner's career was over at the age of 25.

"A lot of people don't understand why I stopped playing was because I had two knee surgeries and I had a degenerative joint in my knee, so it was just too much wear and tear, and I ended up with very little cartilage in my knee," Miner said.

After returning to Southern California following his career, Miner found a new home in Las Vegas and dabbled in buying and selling real estate. His new fix is nutrition. Miner says he's lost 25 pounds with his personal trainer in the last year after reaching 280 pounds.

That's not the only change he's made recently, as Miner's now finally reaching out to old friends and even USC to try and reconnect to his "basketball roots." Miner says he's even considering seeing a USC game or two next season.

Given the current state of Miner's scandal-ridden alma mater and the way fans have longed for years to hear from the Trojan legend, it could be the loudest ovation in the Galen Center all year.

Story by Jim Weber (via Yahoo.com)

The Dozens, "snapping", "cracking", or the act of trading insults back and forth is a black oral tradition that dates back to slavery and has it's roots embedded in both Mississippi and Louisiana. The name itself refers to the sale of slaves who had been overworked, were disabled, or beaten-down - their physical (and often mental) conditions affected their value and they were sold by the dozen, which was considered by slaves, the lowest position within the community. The term evolved to mean a competition between two people, typically men, in a contest of wit, mental agility, verbal ability and self control. It is believed The Dozens developed as an outlet for slaves' depression and worked as a "valve of aggression for a depressed group". Since it was nearly impossible for slaves to display aggression towards their oppressors, but it was encouraged and expected for them to display aggression towards one another, The Dozens became a practice for nearly all slaves, male and female, young and old. Aside from being an outlet for the slave aggression, The Dozens provided a forum for the discussion of forbidden topics such as homosexuality, incest, and mental illness.

Lightnin' Hopkins (contains adult language)

Throughout history, The Dozens has always found its place within Black comedy. Since much of the insult-throwing is good natured (i.e. The Clean Dozens vs. The Dirty Dozens), Black comedians tend to be the purveyors of this oral tradition and their skill level defines the level of respect they command by both their colleagues and their audience. A new and upcoming comedian can earn his stripes in a battle of The Dozens against a veteran - it's the comic equivalent to a freestyle battle between MC's.

Tommy Davidson vs. Jamie Foxx on In Living Color

It's interesting that this practice of dissing each other developed from the pain of our people and their inability to express their frustration during slavery. You just have to love our resilience though -  we can make the best lemonade out of the lemons life gives us. After all, what would American comedy be without the humor of Black people?

Maybe it's nostalgia, remembering Soul Train on a Saturday morning, followed by G.L.O.W. ($10 to the first person who can tell me what that acronym stands for). I distinctly remember sitting in front of the television with a bowl of Captain Crunch or Fruity Pebbles completely hypnotized by Soul Train. I wanted to be every girl on there, and wanted to dance with every guy.  I would create my own Soul Train Scramble Board on the refrigerator with my magnetic alphabet. And of course, my bowl of cereal was finished, and I was out of my seat for that Soul Train Line.

On this Friday, I'd like to share a few classic dance clips from the show - no special performances or guests - but just a glimpse at the folks who got almost every Saturday of my childhood off to a good start. And as always we want to wish love, peace, and soul to Don Cornelius for being the ultimate black entrepreneur. Enjoy!

(This last one is oh so 80's)

But I digress.

BET's trip through the female hip hop MC timeline was enjoyable, and they pulled some female MC's out the woodwork for this one: Nikki D, Rah Digga, Ladybug Mecca, The Lady of Rage, and my personal favorite, Los Angeles underground godmother, Medusa (Other MC's might make your head bob/but I'm gon make your neck lock - yeah she said that).

The most informative part of this documentary was the shift of the female role in hip-hop from the 90's to the new millennium. It was made clear that when Lauryn Hill dropped her solo debut, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in 1998 and then dropped of the face of hip hop Earth, the game for women has not been the same. Lauryn's album was such a game changer that unless you were as solid of a triple threat as her, you weren't going to make much noise. Since the new millennium, the primary face of females in hip-hop is the hypersexualized female MC. Actual talent on the mic won't trump one's sex appeal.

Which brings me to the one female MC who I believe has changed the game but is constantly glossed over in this sex-obsessed society we live in and that's Bahamadia. The Philly native's name was mentioned only once towards the end of the show, but this sister's dedication to her art form in spite of being ignored by mainstream hip hop was reason enough for her to have her own segment in the show. Her talent and skill on the mic is without question, and if you've been fortunate enough to catch her live performance you know Bahamadia is anything but a studio MC. She is better recognized and respected internationally than stateside, yet let her step in the ring with any of today's current female MC's and battle - most chicks won't have the heart to try.

So here is my personal tribute to Bahamadia - and if you happen to catch this sis, know the real heads recognize. A few of my favorites from her catalog of classics:

Uknowhowwedo

I Confess

3 The Hard Way

One-4-Teen

Finally, I would be remiss if failed to throw out an honorable mention to Boss, the first female gangsta rapper. Her persona was too hard and too much for most folks to handle.

]]> http://www.blackisonline.com/2010/09/my-mic-sounds-nice-the-truth-about-women-and-hip-hop/feed/ 0 http://www.blackisonline.com/2010/09/ladies-lets-talk/ http://www.blackisonline.com/2010/09/ladies-lets-talk/#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:15:43 +0000 YSerrant http://www.blackisonline.com/?p=1396 When I read Fellas, Lets Talk, I was interested in delving more into how women view relationships.  Of course as a man I will never understand everything about women.  Their experiences are completely unique just like the physiology that separates the sexes.
I believe all women should have standards. But lets talk about a few of the usual requirements and the holes in them, as well as some stated in the above mentioned article.

Who’s Paying?
It’s a pretty universal rule that the man pays for the dates because the man is “supposed to be the provider”.  The traditional idea is the man provides and protects.  The more I pay for dates, the more it shows that I’m able to provide; but, it can also suggest that I want control.  Here’s something many women don’t realize and a lot of men rarely admit:  Once a man spends a certain amount of money on a date, the more he feels entitled to have sex with you.  Not all men, but a LOT.  Women may think most men take on the responsibility to pay for a date like it’s all good, but paying for the date also sets the tone for who has control in the relationship.  Most women like for men to have control, but a lot of control translates into “I get what I want.”  So in that respect, I suggest women consider paying for dates themselves if they care about avoiding that subtle message.  I usually assume that I’m going to pay for every date and prepare for that, but if I never see her offering to pay, I begin to ask, how selfish is she?  There’s a fine line on this expectation.  If a guest comes into my house I will be hospitable, but they can’t assume they can have dinner and sleepover.  Similarly, I understand if she “anticipates” for me to pay, but she shouldn’t come demanding it and unprepared.   If she offers to pay most likely I’ll refuse, or at least say “OK you just pay the tip” or whatever the most minimal cost.  As one guy said “You should be willing to say no that’s not in the budget.”  I agree.  But before it gets to that point, there should be consideration of the person’s pockets.  That consideration shows her values in a relationship.  Even if I were rich, this issue would still matter to me.  In fact it would matter more.  I need to be sure that the woman I’m dating cares about me, not just my money.  I know plenty of women who go on multiple dates and let the men pamper them, knowing they don’t like them.  Their usual line is “A woman should just be taken out on a date and spoiled sometimes.”  I sat in on a room full of women who talked about times they had men not only pay their way, but also their girlfriends!  Everyone has their own protocol.  But she expects 6 months of me paying for every date?  I don’t quite agree.

Company You Keep
In the last article, I read that if a man invites another woman over to his girlfriend’s place, then that female “friend” that arrives must have some kind of ulterior motive to make moves on the guy.  Now, if the guy doesn’t see the ulterior motive, then I don’t think he should be held accountable for that.  If he DOES know that the woman he’s inviting doesn’t have good intentions, then he’s a dummy to invite her.  That also goes for him inviting a male friend he knows has bad intentions.  Anyone trying to compete for a person’s date should never be invited knowingly.  I don’t see how this even needs to be on a list of guidelines.  If any guy knowingly brings competition around, then he doesn’t care about you, or he’s dumb.  Any guy that doesn’t know this doesn’t need advice.  They need to be single.

Disappearing Acts
This is one of the most typical things I see women trying to “warn” about when there shouldn’t be much discussion.  The guy inexplicably disappears, doesn’t call after a date, etc, and the girl is racking her brain trying to figure out why.  Unless a family member or friend passed away, or he was dealing with some deep emotional matter, no answer you ever get is going please you.  If he was busy, why didn’t he text?  Was he too busy for 5 minutes?  If he disappears,  I highly suggest you move on and don’t look back.  No man who is a “provider” does that.  Some men use this as a strategy.  They pay close attention to a girl to make them feel special,  then disappear to break the woman’s confidence.  The woman latches on, and does whatever he wants so he doesn’t disappear again.  And each time he does this they hate it, but they take him back.  Personally, I think it’s abusive.  No woman should even need to explain this to a guy.  This isn’t a guideline someone should be reintroduced to.  If they don’t get it in the beginning, I doubt they ever will.

I apologize to AFortenberry for talking about her age.  The article didn’t seem clear that it was meant for young couples, or meant for a young age group.  Once I read it and got to the end, I wished I had known her age up front because I would have read the article differently.  It doesn’t mean that at 19 you have no understanding of dating or standards, but I’ve seen my standards and requirements change from just a year ago and I’m 28.  No young or grown man should have to be reminded that you treat a woman with respect, to not yell or call her names, or to not bring a “jumpoff” to the house of a girl you’re dating.  That’s basic, and if he fails to do that he should be dropped.  Those aren’t tips, that’s basic ethical behavior.

If the writer and her friends found that those “guidelines” were the result of what many women feel they need to advise men, I would advise them to pay closer attention to what men they experienced to produce those results.  It may be hard to find good men, but men that need to be told these things need more than tips and advice.  They need rehabilitation.

The United States will formally mark the transition this week from combat to a mission primarily focused on helping Iraqi troops handle security for themselves. Biden assured the Iraqis shortly after his arrival Monday that the transition would be smooth.

"We're going to be just fine. They're going to be just fine," Biden said at the U.S. Embassy.

Fewer than 50,000 U.S. forces remain in Iraq, down from a peak of more than 160,000 in 2007. All American forces are to be out of Iraq by the end of next year.

U.S. officials emphasize that the transition has been an ongoing process.

"We're not flipping a switch this week," said Tony Blinken, Biden's national security adviser. "The president and this administration are making good on our commitment to end the war in Iraq responsibly and to help build a stable, self-reliant and sovereign Iraq."

But the political uncertainty here has underscored some of the risks. Iraq's politicians have yet to form a government nearly six months after inconclusive parliamentary elections.

Insurgents launched a series of attacks last week as the formal transition deadline neared, worrying Iraqis.

"I don't support the U.S. troops' withdrawal for the time being," Baghdad resident Samira Gorgess said. "Iraq is still in need of U.S. forces as the security situation in Iraq is still unstable."

Blinken said Iraq's caretaker government has been able to keep basic services running, but a new government is needed to tackle more fundamental issues, such as constitutional changes and formulas to distribute energy revenue.

"The vice president is going to urge the leaders to bring this process to a conclusion," Blinken told reporters.

Biden will meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, President Jalal Talabani and other government officials, according to a White House statement. He will also meet with Ayad Allawi, al-Maliki's chief rival in March elections.

Biden will also emphasize to Iraqi leaders that the change in mission does not mean the United States is disengaging from Iraq. He said the United States would step up diplomatic, cultural and economic ties as the military withdraws.

General Dubik says any request for U.S. troops to stay beyond 2011 must come from Iraqi leaders.  And he and other experts note that can't happen until Iraq forms a new government. "The Iraqi government will have to form.  They'll have to recognize that our legal standing for being in Iraq ends in 2011, and should they want our help they'll have to ask and the governments will have to negotiate some satisfactory arrangement," he stated.

As U.S. combat troops exit and bomb blasts ring out across the country, Iraqi leaders face even more pressure to form a new government -- some five months after the elections.  For those feuding politicians, Tuesday's formal handover will be yet another reminder that their country's future is in their hands.

The U.S. and Iraq will mark the transition in a Wednesday ceremony.

The black web 2.0, came up with two list, 100 most Powerful Black Women & 100 most Powerful Black Men, on Twitter. I got all excited, thinking how this will connect me with more influential African American men and women that I may not have known, had a twitter account. The lists, somewhat suprised me, to say the least. And made me ask the question: How do we define "Power" in this day and age.

Here are both list for your viewing pleasure: Women & Men.

You be the judge!

And follow us on twitter: @BlackisOnline

- @MrJames_CEO

In both situations, it is reported that the marriages were estranged.However, Fantasia appears to be receiving the brunt of media’s back talk. Keys was not looked down upon in the same manner Barrino is. Why is this? Well, there isn’t one answer to this. And again, I can only speculate. Could it be the two women’s backgrounds? Keys comes from a strong, single-parent family, she’s intelligent, talented and highly revered on an international scale. Barrino dropped out of high school, became a teen parent, made a name for herself on a reality television show, and plays out the trials of her life on her television show Fantasia For Real. I would have to argue that this is a major factor in the way the two stories are being portrayed in the media. I believe that people have developed ideas of these two women based on their backgrounds and it isn’t right.

Are they home-wreckers? According to the men in their lives, they are not. This is what should matter. Unfortunately, it is the beliefs of a few, the media, that influence the thoughts of many, the public. It is with poor taste that the members of the media tell these stories. Because of it, women like Barrino are looked down upon while others in her situation are not. In my opinion, the media should stick to reporting the NEWS and not the personal lives of others.

Parents, please take advantage of this opportunity to get your children screened before the first day of school! Let's keep this community strong and take care of our health!

Federal agents are seeking to hire Ebonics translators to help interpret wiretapped conversations involving targets of undercover drug investigations.

The Drug Enforcement Administration recently sent memos asking companies that provide translation services to help it find nine translators in the Southeast who are fluent in Ebonics, Special Agent Michael Sanders said Monday.

Ebonics, which is also known as African American Vernacular English, has been described by the psychologist who coined the term as the combination of English vocabulary with African language structure.

Some DEA agents already help translate Ebonics, Sanders said. But he said wasn't sure if the agency has ever hired outside Ebonics experts as contractors.

"They saw a need for this in a couple of their investigations," he said. "And when you see a need — it may not be needed now — but we want the contractors to provide us with nine people just in case."

The DEA's decision, first reported by The Smoking Gun, evokes memories of the debate sparked in 1996 when the Oakland, California, school board suggested that black English was a separate language. Although the board later dropped the suggestion amid criticism, it set off a national discussion over whether Ebonics is a language, a dialect or neither.

The search for translators covers a wide swath of the Southeast, including offices in Atlanta, Washington, New Orleans, Miami and the Caribbean, said Sanders. He said he's uncertain why other regions aren't hiring Ebonics translators, but said there are ongoing investigations in the Southeast that need dedicated Ebonics translators.

Linguists said Ebonics can be trickier than it seems, partly because the vocabulary evolves so quickly.

"A lot of times people think you're just dealing with a few slang words, and that you can finesse your way around it," said John Rickford, a Stanford University linguistics professor. "And it's not — it's a big vocabulary. You'll have some significant differences" from English.

Critics worry that the DEA's actions could set a precedent.

"Hiring translators for languages that are of questionable merit to begin with is just going in the wrong direction," said Aloysius Hogan, the government relations director of English First, a national lobbying group that promotes the use of English.

"I'm not aware of Ebonics training schools or tests. I don't know how they'd establish that someone speaks Ebonics," he said. "I support the concept of pursuing drug dealers if they're using code words, but this is definitely going in the wrong direction."

H. Samy Alim, a Stanford linguistics professor who specializes in black language and hip-hop culture, said he thought the hiring effort was a joke when he first heard about it, but that it highlights a serious issue.

"It seems ironic that schools that are serving and educating black children have not recognized the legitimacy of this language. Yet the authorities and the police are recognizing that this is a language that they don't understand," he said. "It really tells us a lot about where we are socially in terms of recognizing African-American speech."

Rickford said that hiring Ebonics experts could come in handy for the DEA, but he said it's hard to determine whether a prospective employee can speak it well enough to translate since there are no standardized tests. He said the ideal candidate would be a native speaker who also has had some linguistics training.

Finding the right translators could be the difference between a successful investigation or a failed one, said Sanders. While he said many listeners can get the gist of what Ebonics speakers are saying, it could take an expert to define it in court.

"You can maybe get a general idea of what they're saying, but you have to understand that this has to hold up in court," he said. "You need someone to say, 'I know what they mean when they say 'ballin' or 'pinching pennies.'"

1. Do not have a girlfriend if you cannot maintain her. Now I’m not saying you have to spend mad money on her and buy her everything she wants. However, it is your responsibility for AT LEAST the first six months of DATING to pay for your dates . This includes but is not limited to gas for your car, movies, dinner, clothes, bus fare, and or anything else that is relevant to the relationship.

2. Make the effort. Just because you have a girlfriend does not mean you can slack on being the man you made her think you were. In any relationship communication should be, for the most part, 50/50. Nevertheless, do not make her regret the decision she made to be with you by participating in random disappearing acts for more than 2 days at a time.

3. Watch your company. If you’re going to your girls’ house it’s cool to bring some of your homeboys, within reason, as she would bring some homegirls. Conversely, this does not mean you can bring a girl who is NOT blood related to her house. Not only is that disrespectful, it also leaves your girl wondering: what kind of girls do you kick it with? No girl, who has values or morals, will agree to go to your girls’ house (especially if you two are just getting together), and if you know one who will…. Go ahead and question their logic and I can promise you that she will have an ulterior motive. She was also wonder if you even refer to her as your girlfriend?

4. Stay respectful. You’re the man in the relationship (hypothetically) it is your job to be a gentleman. If you’re mad or frustrated for whatever reason, especially with her, by no means should you ever call her out of her name. Nor should you refuse to meet her wishes if she asks you to leave, you need to leave. You two can have a civilized and mature conversation about whatever the situation is when you are both calm. & even if she wants to have the conversation when both of you or one of you are mad, step away she’ll thank you & you’ll thank me later.

It’s becoming more difficult for women to find “good” men out there because of the expectation set out for us by media today. If you happen to grab one of those “good” girls you’re are lucky, don’t let her slip through your finger because you were too busy focusing on the quick fix media sets out for you. Please remember that I am 19 years old and all of these guidelines are developed from conversations I've had recently with my girls.

]]> http://www.blackisonline.com/2010/08/black-is-10-minute-break-the-essence-new-hire/feed/ 0 11:03 KC and the BI family discuss the hiring of Essence Magazine's new Fashion Director, Elliana Placas. Guest commentators for this show are BI contributors, Je ... KC and the BI family discuss the hiring of Essence Magazine's new Fashion Director, Elliana Placas. Guest commentators for this show are BI contributors, Je Lewis and Shaina Michelle with special guest Tash Moseley, talent manager and film producer. Career & Higher Education, Fashion & Beauty, Featured, Podcast Black Is no no http://www.blackisonline.com/2010/08/mans-guide-to-pedicures/ http://www.blackisonline.com/2010/08/mans-guide-to-pedicures/#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 05:05:31 +0000 Mr. CEO http://www.blackisonline.com/?p=1313 If your a guys guy like me, then this intro should sound familiar, but bear with me fellas, I attend to do good and keep things manly.

Just the word pedicure gets most us men thinking the wrong way as soon as we hear it. Many men believe that pedicures are strictly a female thing(or gay). Nothing could be further from the truth! A pedicure is simply the care of the feet to avoid complications and to make them look their best. Since we all have feet, pedicures are in no way restricted to only females. Getting a man's pedicure or,  foot rehabilitation can be extremely beneficial.

This is most likely a major reason that a lot of us guys have problems with our feet, such as ingrown toenails and athletes foot. The majority of us don’t begin to start getting men pedicures until something goes wrong. This behavior is similar to our outlook on visiting the doctor – generally we don’t go until we have to be wheeled in there.

It is best though to prevent problems before they happen. Many problems with the feet reoccur once you get them the first time, which is why it’s so important to keep your feet problem free.

With a pedicure, there are certain things that most men will deem too feminine. All of the regular pedicure steps within the pedicure guide are, for the most part, neutral. The only real areas of concern with a pedicure for men will be the foot soak and polish application steps (please omit the polish steps). It will be necessary to add masculine aspects to these two areas. Refer to the pedicure guide paying attention to these two sections.

More Masculine Foot soak
If you are going to do an at home pedicure, to make foot soaks  more masculine, forego any kinds of petals and bubble bath.  You can add fragrances but make them more neutral or manly.

Some non-toxic aromas favored by males include:

Patchouli (great on athlete’s foot)
Vanilla (great for the skin and hair as well)
Cypress (great for sweaty, oily skin and feet)
Sandalwood (great for the skin and depression)
Ginger (great for aching muscles, poor circulation and arthritis)
Black pepper (great for aching muscles, poor circulation and arthritis)
Vetiver (great for aching muscles, arthritis and sores)

All of these can be purchased in the form of essential oils in flasks. Remember do not apply any oil directly to the skin unless sufficiently diluted. When used in your foot soaks you will only use a small portion so it will be sufficiently diluted. Unless of course you add like a gallon!

Make sure to use all the other ingredients like Epsom salt for that soothing effect. You can still add the milk for the extra exfoliation and deodorizing aspect.

There are so many benefits men can receive from getting regular pedicures. For instance, helping to stop foot odor by removing dead excess skin from the soles and the prevention of ingrown toenail, calluses and corns. Ladies, you can treat that special man in your life to a special men pedicure using these tips to help keep his feet happy, healthy and handsome.

LADIES, here are some steps for you to get your man into the foot salon:

-Book him a pedicure at a spa or a salon that encourages male customers to come in and enjoy the benefits of proper nail care. Some spas and salons feature a "men's night," where only men are allowed to receive pedicures and manicures for a certain time period. Snacks and beverages may be offered, and some shops may even put a ball game on the television in order to make the atmosphere seem more masculine.

-Choose a pedicure at a salon or spa that offers a bit of privacy during grooming procedures. You certainly don't want to be stuck in a chair by the window by a pedicurist who wants to show the whole world that it's okay for men to get manicures and pedicures, too.

-Visit a pedicurist who may offer other services that promote good foot health care, such as massages, callus removal and treatment for ingrown toenails. Many salons also offer a soothing foot bath or soak before your nails are cut. An experienced manicurist or pedicurist may even offer you helpful advice on how to choose the proper footwear for your feet, or how to regularly exercise your ankles, toes and the arches of your feet.

-Purchase a gift certificate from a spa or salon before you book a pedicure. Not only is this an excellent way of exposing the benefits of spa treatments to your male friends and relatives, but it may also alleviate some of the embarrassment for first-time clients who can merely say, "It was a gift."

-Tip accordingly when you book pedicures for men. Your salon or spa technician is spending quite a bit of time with your man's potentially stinky feet in their face, and a gratuity of a few dollars will certainly be appreciated as well as remembered, especially if and when we come back for another visit.

Take it from me, a pedicure or "foot rehabilitation" is awesome!

-Mr.CEO

Celebrating until the LATE night (old-school K-n-G style!)
10PM-4AM

The Bay Salone
925 Santa Fe Ave.
Downtown L.A. 90021
(Right off the 10 Freeway - Santa Fe Ave. exit in either direction)

$20 b4 11:30pm ONLY with e-mail RSVP!
questloversvp@walktalkin.com
$25+ Without
21+/Cash Only Door/Cash & Credit Bar/NO ATM On Site
Ample street parking with plentiful patrolling security.

For my food truck junkies, the Ride or Fry food truck will be on site, with Caribbean-fusion soul food offerings. Check them out!

Next month's opening of the Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools will be auspicious for a reason other than its both storied and infamous history as the former Ambassador Hotel, where the Democratic presidential contender was assassinated in 1968.

With an eye-popping price tag of $578 million, it will mark the inauguration of the nation's most expensive public school ever.

The K-12 complex to house 4,200 students has raised eyebrows across the country as the creme de la creme of "Taj Mahal" schools, $100 million-plus campuses boasting both architectural panache and deluxe amenities.

"There's no more of the old, windowless cinderblock schools of the '70s where kids felt, 'Oh, back to jail,'" said Joe Agron, editor-in-chief of American School & University, a school construction journal. "Districts want a showpiece for the community, a really impressive environment for learning."

Not everyone is similarly enthusiastic.

"New buildings are nice, but when they're run by the same people who've given us a 50 percent dropout rate, they're a big waste of taxpayer money," said Ben Austin, executive director of Parent Revolution who sits on the California Board of Education. "Parents aren't fooled."

At RFK, the features include fine art murals and a marble memorial depicting the complex's namesake, a manicured public park, a state-of-the-art swimming pool and preservation of pieces of the original hotel.

Partly by circumstance and partly by design, the Los Angeles Unified School District has emerged as the mogul of Taj Mahals.

The RFK complex follows on the heels of two other LA schools among the nation's costliest — the $377 million Edward R. Roybal Learning Center, which opened in 2008, and the $232 million Visual and Performing Arts High School that debuted in 2009.

The pricey schools have come during a sensitive period for the nation's second-largest school system: Nearly 3,000 teachers have been laid off over the past two years, the academic year and programs have been slashed. The district also faces a $640 million shortfall and some schools persistently rank among the nation's lowest performing.

Nationwide, dozens of schools have surpassed $100 million with amenities including atriums, orchestra-pit auditoriums, food courts, even bamboo nooks. The extravagance has led some to wonder where the line should be drawn and whether more money should be spent on teachers.

Some experts say it's not all flourish and that children learn better in more pleasant surroundings.

Many schools incorporate large windows to let in natural light and install energy-saving equipment, spending more upfront for reduced bills later. Cafeterias are getting fancier, seeking to retain students who venture off campus. Wireless Internet and other high-tech installations have become standard.

And what will be the political fallout or gain from this school?

Now to get state funds for a new school, districts must choose among three designs costing $49 million to $64 million. "We had to bring some sense to this process," Cahill said.

In Los Angeles, officials say the new schools were planned long before the economic pinch and are funded by $20 billion in voter-approved bonds that do not affect the educational budget.

Still, even LA Unified Superintendent Ramon Cortines derided some of the extravagance, noting that donations should have been sought to fund the RFK project's talking benches commemorating the site's history.

Connie Rice, member of the district's School Bond Oversight Committee, noted the megaschools are only three of 131 that the district is building to alleviate overcrowding. RFK "is an amazing facility," she said. "Is it a lot of money? Yes. We didn't like it, but they got it done."

Construction costs at LA Unified are the second-highest in the nation — something the district blames on skyrocketing material and land prices, rigorous seismic codes and unionized labor.

James Sohn, the district's chief facilities executive, said the megaschools were built when global raw material shortages caused costs to skyrocket to an average of $600 per square foot in 2006 and 2007 — triple the price from 2002. Costs have since eased to $350 per square foot.

On top of that, each project had its own cost drivers.

After buildings were demolished at the site of the 2,400-student Roybal school, contaminated soil, a methane gas field and an earthquake fault were discovered. A gas mitigation system cost $17 million.

Over 20 years, the project grew to encompass a dance studio with cushioned maple floors, a modern kitchen with a restaurant-quality pizza oven, a 10-acre park and teacher planning rooms between classrooms.

The 1,700-student arts school was designed as a landmark, with a stainless steel, postmodernistic tower encircled by a rollercoaster-like swirl, while the RFK site involved 15 years of litigation with historic preservationists and Donald Trump, who wanted to build the world's tallest building there. The wrangling cost $9 million.

Methane mitigation cost $33 million and the district paid another $15 million preserving historic features, including a wall of the famed Cocoanut Grove nightclub and turning the Paul Williams-designed coffee shop into a faculty lounge.

Sohn said LA Unified has reached the end of its Taj Mahal building spree. "These are definitely the exceptions," he said. "We don't anticipate schools costing hundreds of millions of dollars in the future."

I won't pretend to be an Abbey Lincoln historian, but her death brought back the memory of that film and the curiosity I had about her back then. A friend who knew nothing of this sent me a link to NPR's most recent audio tribute to her since her passing last Saturday. The interviews with her showcase that what I witnessed on screen wasn't acting as much as it was Abbey being Abbey. Spunky. Fierce. Unapologetic.

As our generation continues to lose some of its heavyweights, I find myself wanting to know more about folks I didn't know enough about while they were here. As I learn, I'll pass that information on to you.

Check Abbey out:

From NPR:

Abbey Lincoln, the jazz singer who transformed herself from a supper-club singer into a powerful voice in the civil-rights movement, died Saturday. She was 80.

Lincoln started her career singing in nightclubs and dinner theaters in the early 1950s — first in Honolulu and later in Chicago and New York. While performing at the Village Vanguard in Greenwich Village, she met drummer and bebop innovator Max Roach, who introduced her to modern jazz, and to a performing style influenced by the new black consciousness.

After Roach and Lincoln married in 1962, they recorded a series of albums together, where Lincoln was backed by jazz legends such as Sonny Rollins and Eric Dolphy. Her songs became less pop-based and began to reflect her growing involvement in the civil rights and black pride movements.

Lincoln sang the vocal tracks on Roach's album We Insist! Freedom Now Suite, the now-famous civil-rights document. While recording throughout the '60s, she also took to Hollywood, starring in 1964's Nothing but a Man, about a young black couple in the South, and then co-starring in the 1968 romantic comedy For Love of Ivy opposite Sidney Poitier.

In 1972, Lincoln traveled to Africa after a 10-year hiatus from recording. There, she was given the name Aminata Moseka by the president of Guinea and Zaire's minister of information. She used the names Aminata Moseka alongside Abbey Lincoln to represent her African heritage. She also began to write stories.

In later years, she inspired a series of younger jazz singers, including Cassandra Wilson and Lizz Wright, who both cited Lincoln as an inspiration for their own careers. Eventually, Lincoln began recording again, releasing nine albums after reemerging in the 1990s. Her most recent record,Abbey Sings Abbey, was released in 2007 and featured a dozen songs about self-discovery.

Lincoln received the Jazz Masters Award from the National Endowment for the Arts in 2003. She is survived by her brother, David Wooldridge.