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Labor Day Weekend Events

The last warm holiday of the year makes its grand entrance this weekend.  It's Labor Day.  Here are a few things going on in a city near you.

Miami, FL

Miami Spice Restaurant Month-  For the months of August and September some of the best restaurants in Miami are participating in this dining celebration.  Take this opportunity to sample some of the best food Miami has to offer.   Go to www.ilovemiamispice.com to view the participating restaurants.

Chicago, IL

If the music is calling you...

31st Annual Chicago Jazz Festival

Grant Park at Jackson Blvd and Columbus Drive

Come celebrate Polish heritage with food, music and fun

Taste of Polonia

Copernicus Center

5216 W. Lawrence (Jefferson Park)

Get to know the motherland and its influences on all cultures...

20th Annual African Festival of the Arts

5100 S. Cottage Grove Ave

Get a little beach love and celebrate the holiday at one of Chicago's beaches (Ummm, who knew Chicago had beaches?)

Oak Street Beach; 12th Street Beach; 57th Street Beach; Calumet Beach; Leone Beach; Montrose Beach; Osterman Beach, South Shore Beach

Raleigh, NC

Raleigh knows how to party, so keep it sexy and classy...

Hedonism

8111 Creedmor Road

Saturday, September 5th, 9:30pm - 2:30am

Triangle Carnival @ Creme

4030-142 Capital Blvd

Sunday, September 6th, 10:00pm - 2:30am

SPEAK:

Have an event you want to share?  Email it to us or include it in the comments section below.

Product of the Week - Organic Sweetners

This week I heard yet another report about the dangers of sugar.  We all know sugar's link to diabetes and that the cases of both juvenile and adult diabetes are on the rise.  This increase is triggering alarm in the health community, particularly in the pediatric practice.  However, this report emphasizes (again) sugar's link to heart disease.  Ladies, you should know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in women.  You should also know that high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes can lead to heart disease.  For good measure, sugar has also been linked to several kinds of cancer...breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and endometrial cancer, for example.  While raw cane sugar has more nutritional value than refined sure, it is not ideal. 

Let this information be encouragement to put the sugar down and be more mindful of what you put in your mouth and your exercise frequency.  If you are a woman of color you should be paying extra close attention, because people of color have a higher risk of just about everything.  Don't you want to live to say "black don't crack"?  Good, then get to know our Product of the Week...

HONEY - I am sure you have heard of honey before but did you know that honey contains antioxidants, antibacterial properties, vitamins, and minerals.  It is also an excellent source of energy.  Also, when added to warm water, honey helps to digest fat stored in your body.  These are just a few of the benefits of honey.  It may not taste great in coffee but definitely put it in your tea!

Limit you sugar, ladies. 

A Glimpse Into the Future

I got a call from a good friend of mine yesterday.  Her 8 year old daughter, Camryn,  is one of my god children.  Here is how the conversation went

Me: Hello
Her: I'm going to take you to court for child support because I think that Camryn is really your child
Me: Uh-oh, what'd she do
Her: She had to get a shot today and did really well, so I told her that since she did such a great job, she could pick where we'd go for dinner.
Me: Ha! What'd she say
Her: So I'm thinking that we'd go big time like Chic-fil-a or the pizza place down the street.  This child proceeds to tell me, "Well, maybe we can go to Flemings or to Twisted Fork (cheaper than Flemings, but moderately priced.  It's not a Chilis).  But we go to Twisted Fork all the time." 

So at this point I'm dying laughing.
She says, "Well Camryn, when have you been to Flemings."  Camryn says, "Isn't that where all of us went last time."  She said no, that was McCormick and Schmidt.  We were originally going to go to Flemings, but we went to McCormick and Schmidt because her brother is a picky eater and they had a more kid-friendly menu.

By the way, my friend and I ordered off of the super cheap happy hour menu, her brother ordered chicken fingers off of the kids menu.  My god-daughter also ordered off of the kids menu.  But she ordered Salmon.  The kid knows how to get down.

While I was on the phone with my friend, I couldn't resist bridging my mother in and she advised my friend that it never ends, so get used to it.  She'd ask me where I wanted to go for my birthday when I was younger and while she was expecting McDonald's or Chuck E. Cheese, I'd say Red Lobster (which was considered a big deal back then) and Houstons in Georgetown. 

Is this how my kids are going to be?  It's easy for god-mommys to dress the ladies up and take them out to teas and fine dining establishments, but if I have multiple children, they wont see the inside of a Steakhouse for a while.

I sooo love other peoples children!

House Hunters International Junkie

Since the recession has left me at home spinning out cover letters and resumes like a rickety little Dutch windmill, I need the small things to keep me sane.  In addition to praying multiple times throughout the day, I also have time to fantasize about becoming an ex patriot and jetting my family off to a villa in Portugal or chalet in Spain.  Until circumstances allow our retreat, I have HGTV's House Hunters International to keep me warm between job hunts.  For those of you who do not know, House Hunters International is a show dedicated to following home buyers as they search for properties around the world.  Some of the home buyers are only looking for vacation homes while others are seeking a permanent residence beyond the borders of their home country.  Whether they are searching for Caribbean getaways, Italian apartments, French lofts, or cottages with Mediterranean views, these home buyers are following a dream.

This show is a daily reminder that life is for living.  There is so much the world offers that we miss within our borders.  Other cultures appreciate life and appear to be far more willing to wonder beyond the day to day grind.  For example, Europeans take 5 to 6 weeks of vacation time per year.  Americans average 8 days.  Europeans take in the day.  Americans rush through it.  In Europe, maternity leave is substantially more generous than in the United States. 

I often ask myself what keeps my family in the United States.  I believe the answer is simple.  The United States is home.  However, just as I left home for college to grow and experience new things, the rational should be the same for a move out of the country.  If a search for a better quality of life for my family leads me to a foreign country, then leaving the United States behind only makes sense.  Perhaps, I should begin an international job hunt.  It only makes sense.  Tonight, House Hunters International takes me to Nicaragua.

Weekend Events-Richmond

This is for our VA readers.  If you're in MD, DC or NC, Richmond is right around the corner.

Friday
Catch the fabulous songstress Chrisette Michele at Friday's at Sunset




Kanawha Plaza
S 8th St & E Canal St
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Time: 6pm


Friday, Red, White and Brew
Come and experience some of  Virginia's finest wines and Micro-brews.

17th Street Farmers Market
100 North 17th Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Time: 5pm-9pm

Saturday
It's an Adult Kickball Tourney.  Get back in touch with your inner child while sneaking in some exercise too.  Sign up here
It's going on Saturday and Sunday



Richmond Raceway Complex
602 East Laburnam Avenue
Richmond, Virginia 23222


Celebrate the Caribbean in Richmond at Carib Fest.

Science Museum of VA-Garner Pavilion
2500 West Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23220
Time: 12:00pm-7:30pm


Sunday

Comedian, actor, and Singer Jamie Foxx will be performing at Richmond Coliseum




Richmond Coliseum
601 E Leigh St
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Time: 7:30pm

We can't forget the kiddies.  Here's a place with games, puzzles and toys for the little ones

Kids Ready Room
Virginia Aviation Museum
5701 Huntsman Rd
Richmond, Virginia 23250
Time: 12pm-5pm

Product of the Week

This weeks product is actually a restaurant.  I stopped eating beef and pork for over 10 years.  Now I'm back on the beef and can't think of a better place to feed my habit.

Move over Ruths Chris.  Fleming's has delectable meals and fabulous service.  I've been to the locations in Baltimore and Raleigh and have been utterly impressed with both. 

Even if you haven't visited yet, get on their mailing list.  You'll get information on their wine and "course" dinners.  I've been to both and trust me, you get more than your money's worth.  Many often give you the opportunity to leave with an additional gift card and the managers often stop by with a genuine hello. 

When I go, I usually don't finish my meal because I am saving room for the lava cake.  It takes a while to bake so make sure that you order it early.  The steak is just as good the next day. 


This place is not to be missed.   I hope that there's one in your city.  

Oh, and they have a fabulous happy hour going on right now too.  I'm always a fan of happy hour.  5 appetizers, 5 wines, and 5 cocktails for $6.


                                                                   

Get Em Hillary

I'vealways liked Hillary.  Even when I was team Obama and she was runningagainst him.  As with any politician, I don't agree with everythingthat she does, but I know that she's a strong political force.

I'venever seen her as a quiet woman.  Somehow, I don't think that Billquietly crept back into the bed next to her after the whole Monicathing.  And not just because he cheated, but because he exposed her tothe nation like that.  I think that he's still washing dishes andpolishing her toe nails every night to make up for it.

With allthat being said, I can't believe that I hadn't commented on the belowfootage.  I feel like after she said, "He's not secretary of state, Iam," she said "bitches" under her breath before she shifted in herseat. 

I'm sure that both she and Condi have to deal withmisogynistic butt holes when they visit various countries, so I wasproud to see her stand up for herself. 

Turns out, in the end,the translator, translated wrong.  The questioner didn't ask aboutPresident Clinton, they were asking about President Obama (I still don't know if I believe that one.  Obama doesn't sound like Clinton).  But it'sgood for ol' Hill to let them know who they're dealing with every oncein a while.

Go Hillary!

OUR SEARCH FOR THE TOP TEN ADULT ENTERTAINMENT CLUBS IN THE UNITED STATES

I am always intrigued by the popularity of adult entertainment clubs and even more intrigued that so often people are not open/honest about their participation at these clubs.  I have decided to start a search for the top ten adult entertainment clubs in the United States.  This search will start with you, our readers.  What is (are) the best adult entertainment club(s) you have been to and why?  How often do you attend?  How did you hear about the club?  In the comment section below, give us all the dirt about your experience at the club(s).  I would love to hear fom exotic dancers, as well.  What makes your club the best?  Don't worry we won't tell.

Weekend in Miami

Do you live in Miami or will be in Miami this weekend?  The summer is winding down but there is still plenty fun to be had in Miami.  (Hint:  There is more than South Beach...who knew?)

You don't have to have children to enjoy these places but, if you do, the kids will love it too.

Watch the primates run free...
Monkey Jungle
14805 SW 216th Street
Miami, FL  33170
Open daily from 9:30am to 5:00pm

More than just whales and dolphins
Miami Seaquarium
4400 Rickenbacker Causeway
Miami, FL  33149
Open daily from 9:30am to 6:00pm

See what the gators are up to from your airboat...
Everglades National Park Tour
815 Copeland Avenue, S.R. 29
Everglades City, FL  34139
Call 1-866-NATPARK

Naturally.  Fun.  Naturally.  Kayak, Canoe, and snorkel tours; biking and hiking; and much more...
Eco Adventures
4000 Crandon Boulevard
Key Biscayne, FL 
Call 305-365-3018

Products of the Week - Organics, Back to School, Fall Fashions

As the kids head back to school or to school for the first time, all mom's can attest to the Back to School Hustle.  It is time for new backpacks, fall clothes, and shoes for the season.  Well, there is no better time to combine shopping with investing in eco-friendly and human friendly causes. 

I have discovered www.WildDill.com.  Wild Dill offers organic clothing and accessories from newborn sizes to size 5.  The website also offers organic toys for small children and toddlers.  What is even better is that the products are the result of fair trade.  No sweatshops!

Pediatricians frequently stress the importance of buying quality footwear for kids.  As a result, I am always looking for deals on quality kids shoes.  I have discovered www.vincentshoestore.us.  Vincent sells infant, toddler, and kids sizes.  There are many cool styles and colors to choose - from prewalker shoes to rainboots to dress shoes.  I am in love. 

I have just become a serious groupie of www.CCforLife.com.  I love love and love the carved rings, pendants, and bracelets.  You can carve any name or names or date on your jewelry.  It is a great gift idea for anyone who is special to you.  Plus it is a good alternative to tattooing your loved ones name on your arm.

Ladies, you gotta love this cute cashmere vest for the fall.  Find it at Banana Republic.

You need at least one daring shoe for the season.  This one is by Kelsi Dagger.  Find it at Nordstrom.