Get Up, Get Out, and Do Something: Good Deeds. Great Needs.

Posted on February 14, 2012 by

Tyler Perry's Good Deeds - Opens Nationwide February 24

We are only two months into 2012, but so many are being crushed under rising expenses. Be it rent or mortgage, groceries, or utilities, simply trying to maintain food, clothing, and shelter can be a day-to-day struggle. Now try taking that stress and burden and hoisting it on the shoulders of a young person.

With more and more youth in at-risk environments such as aging out of foster care, human trafficking, and being victims of physical and sexual abuse, many youth ages 17-21 are left homeless as a result of these dilemmas with what seems like no way out. Enter Convenant House, Lionsgate, and film and stage actor, producer and director Tyler Perry.

Together they have formed a collaborative with Atlanta non-profit, Gift Card Giver for a very special initiative aligned with Perry’s forthcoming film, Good Deeds. The initiative? It’s simply called Good Deeds, Great Needs. Here’s how it works:

Step One: Watch the official video for the initiative by logging onto http://www.gooddeedsgoodneeds.com.

Step Two: Click Share and pick the avenue with which to share the video with your friends and contacts. Lionsgate will make a donation to Convenant House for every share made. The goal is 500 shares.

Step Three: Make a pledge. Making that sacrifice will prove that being young doesn’t have to hurt.

Step Four: Locate any gift cards with balances that you are not planning to use. Write the remaining balance on the back of the card. Mail the card with a note that says “Good Deeds, Great Needs” to  Gift Card Giver at P.O. Box 17920, Atlanta, GA 30316. Gift Card Giver will collect the cards and give them to Convenant House to help them help the many youth who are in need.

It’s as simple as that. An unwanted gift card can mean all the difference in the life of a young person in need. With endless youth experiencing a bout with homelessness at least once in their life, this is a problem that we need to eradicate now.

Good Deeds opens nationwide on February 24.

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Dim The Lights – Whitney Houston

Posted on February 14, 2012 by

Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 - February 12, 2011)

You already know. The impact is endless. Another legend gone. We send our condolences to the family of iconic singer Whitney Houston, who died suddenly in Beverly Hills on Saturday, prior to Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy party. Houston was 48 years old.

In the wake of her tragic death, consider this:

  1. Obviously, Houston’s 18-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina will need support like never before. With her subsequent hospitalization following her mother’s death, the road ahead will be hard. I pray that child’s strength in what is an unspeakable tragedy.
  2. I never fully realized the hate many people have for Bobby Brown until Houston’s passing. Everyone had their say about Houston’s relationship and marriage to Brown, be it good, bad, or indifferent. To blame the man for her death, even indirectly is low rent, cowardly, and downright wrong, regardless of how easy it is to do it. I’ve seen several blogs and articles sending condolences “to the family of Whitney Houston…and Bobby Brown. Like it, love it, or leave it, Bobby Brown is her family.
  3. I pray strength to Alicia Etheridge. Call it what you want, but it is never easy to see your man/child’s father/fiancé mourn another woman, even if it is his former wife and mother of his other child.
  4. All of these ratchet singers need to leave her songs ALONE. We do not need any tributes with half-assed singers. Let’s just leave it at that. These little chickadees have so much to learn. Even on your best day, you simply can’t touch her voice. EVER.
  5. I’m going to have to side with Chaka Khan on the fact that the pre-Grammy party should have been cancelled. But that’s the industry for you. There would be no way in hell I could party with a friend’s body lying a few floors up. No way. So glad she said something. Check the clip here: Chaka Khan on Piers Morgan.
  6. What more can life put poor Cissy Houston through? I am beyond words and my heart truly goes out to her. To lose a child is unfathomable. That woman was down for her daughter until the very end.
  7. I am hoping the drug jokes about Whitney will finally STOP. Tasteless and so unnecessary. But you can’t hurt her anymore…

Rest In Peace Whitney. As for the rest of you, continue to rise above and keep her family and friends in prayer, while being mindful of those who struggle with addiction on all fronts. I leave you with of my favorite songs by Houston:

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Tell Me Where To Go: Ear Candy 2012 – Bianca Racquel and Dunson

Posted on February 3, 2012 by

 

One of my favorite events to attend as a blogger (and music lover) is Ear Candy. Obviously, I am glad the wait is over. A new year equals a new installment of Gypsy Soul’s popular music showcase. Now in its fourth year, Ear Candy returns with the event that introduced us to many artists at the beginning of their now successful careers such as Melanie Fiona.

The first installment of Ear Candy’s 2012 series will feature two newcomers that many will have on their musical radar. Singer/songwriter Bianca Racquel and rapper/producer Dunson will grace one of my favorite spots, Teavolve in Harbor East, on Tuesday, Feb. 21. The DJ saving our lives that evening will be DJ Harvey Dent.

For tickets, go to http://earcandyfeb2012.eventbrite.com/. Advanced tickets are $10 and $15 at the door. Definitely an event you don’t want to miss.

Rise above!

 

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Dim the Lights – David Peaston

Posted on February 3, 2012 by

Unfortunately, when the death train  starts rolling, it seems never-ending. In addition, to the deaths of Soul Train creator Don Cornelius and boxing icon Angelo Dundee, singer David Peaston died on Wednesday. Peaston was best known for his multiple-win run at Showtime at the Apollo’s Amateur Night for his rendition of “God Bless the Child.” His success led to a recording deal and subsequent stage career.

In later years, Peaston suffered from diabetes which required leg amputations. He is survived by wife, two sons, sister Fontella Bass (who sang the popular song, Rescue Me, in 1965), and a granddaughter. Peaston was 54.

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Dim the Lights: Angelo Dundee

Posted on February 3, 2012 by

As we continue to deal with the death of Don Cornelius, boxing training legend Angelo Dundee also died on Wednesday of a heart attack. Dundee was best known as the legendary trainer for boxing greats Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard. With a career that spanned almost six decades, he will be remembered as man who was passionate about boxing and spoke his mind whenever necessary. Dundee was 90.

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Dim the Lights: Don Cornelius

Posted on February 1, 2012 by

Don Cornelius (September 27, 1936 – February 1, 2012)

As we all know by now, the world is dealing with the loss of Don Cornelius, creator and host of the iconic, Soul Train, from an apparent suicide. Authorities responded to a call reporting hearing gunfire and discovered Cornelius dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Many speculate that his suicide may have stemmed from his illness but as of this hour there is no official determination as to why.

As I said in an earlier Facebook post, Cornelius single-handedly shaped my Saturdays and helped put music’s greatest. Soul Train was (and still is) a beautiful gem in the crown of African-American culture.

I can say so many things but if you take nothing else from this post, take this. Take these young people of this current generation, sit them down and teach them about this man, this show, this phenomenon. The music they are listening to freely on their cell or iPod came from a beautiful foundation that must be ingrained in their minds and souls.

I depart from this post with a clip of one of the many performances that shaped Soul Train my childhood and my attitude toward US.

Rise above…

 

 

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When Humans Attack: Pets, You Better Watch Out

Posted on January 18, 2012 by

 

This post is for Sparky, Fluffy, Taffy, and all other household pets. Specifically, if you are a dog or cat, you better run for cover. Apparently some of us humans have gone off the deep end and when they do, you unexpectedly become their weapon of choice.

Last week, a man in Owings Mills, MD decided to throw his Yorkshire Terrier over the balcony of his place for no apparent reason. He landed 50 feet across the street where a woman passing by picked up the dog and took it to a nearby animal hospital. Said man is behind bars with $250,000 bail. [Source]

But the one that takes the cake allegedly happened in Argentina. A Buenos Aires man, who was arguing with his wife, became so angry that he decided to throw something at her. That “something” was none other than the family cat. There was one slight problem. The wife was smart enough to duck. So the cat literally whizzed passed her and right out the window. The falling cat apparently struck an 85-year-old neighbor. The result? One dead cat and a neighbor hospitalized with a fractured skull.

In short, there is not that much arguing in the world to make me want to hurl a pet. It’s wrong and it’s cruel. What is the world coming to these days? Better still, how do you come back from that? It’s so crazy to fathom.  Love the pets, people. And leave them alone!

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