Taj Mahal, India

Don’t get me wrong, I have no objection at all to us helping out other countries, even though we’re in pretty dire straits ourselves here in the UK.  The thing that gets my goat is the fact that India have said they don’t want the money but the UK have insisted they take it!

The good, honest people of India, instead of grasping it with both hands, actually turned down the offer that had been foisted upon them and India’s finance minister, Pranab Mukherjee even went so far as to say it was “a peanut” that wasn’t needed as India’s economy was growing with some speed and would, in all likelihood, overtake our own in the not too distant future. 

Pranab Mukherjee

There are people here desperately trying to make ends meet; homes are being repossessed, our public services and our forces are being cut back, our government benefits are being “trimmed” which means that the less well off members of our society are suffering which, in turn, affects the disabled, lesser paid adults, particularly those with families to support, and the elderly. 

It’s also been revealed that this year we’ve set aside a budget of £8.1 billion for foreign aid in general and this is due to rise to an incredible £11.5 billion in 2015.  We’ve always been inclined to help out other countries in their hour of need but, with our coffers almost down to rock bottom, it’s utterly ludicrous to give part of this budget to a country that’s already said it doesn’t need it, thanks very much.

As you can imagine, the revelation has upset numerous MPs and, of course, us hard strapped tax payers.

By all accounts, the Indian economy is growing by 10% a year and, within the next 10 years will overtake that of the UK.  In fact, India has set up its own aid budget to help out struggling countries so presumably in a couple of years time India will be helping to dig the UK out of a financial hole!

The International Development Secretary, Andrew Mitchell, has said, in defence of the “donation” to India  “there are states the size of Britain where half the children suffer from malnutrition”.  That may well be true, but if the Indian government have stated they now have plenty of money in their bank vaults I’m assuming some of this will eventually find its way to support lesser well off people.  If that isn’t the case, then rather than pump more money into an obviously financially stable government, wouldn’t it be more sensible to filter some of the money through to charities such as the Red Cross, Oxfam, Save the Children, Age Concern, etc etc so that they can actually get the money direct to those people that need it most?

As I wrote in a previous article, one may wish to celebrate this date either at home or outdoors pampering ourselves at any of the restaurants, hotels or spas where they will be delighted to welcome you.

However, and as we say there is no place like home and at times of the credit crunch, it may be a lot cheaper too and, in fact, more suitable for the date. 

Admittedly, yours may not be like the one in the photograph above (neither mine is!) But not matter how big of comfortably furnished yours is, chances are that can be just as suitable for such a date as any other. You may decorate it with whatever it takes your fancy, but remember not to overdo it and lightening can change the atmosphere in a room no matter how humble it is. Plants always add up a stylish touch too.

A special menu for two

Among all the recipes for Valentine’s Day, I’ve come across this one that may be interesting to try on. With a funny name such as Pollo al búrdel… Oh, Jeysus, how will I translate this in English? I’ve just decided to leave it as Brothel Chicken. It’d be appreciated more suitable translations. For this one to cook for your special diner, you need A chicken clean and cut into pieces. Few rashers of bacon in chunks. A handful of mushrooms. Four medium size tomatoes (sliced) A truffle, which should be thinly sliced and added at the very end. Spoonful of flour. A small glass of brandy. A handful of green olives. A glass of red wine and a piece of lard.

Your chance to show how good you are in the kitchen

Fry the chicken in a big pan together with bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes and olives, adding the lard (as much as you think you need) until all gets some colour. Add some salt, ground pepper and flour to sieve it all. 10 minutes later, and on a low fire, add the brandy, lighting it up to flame it, leaving it to cook for 10 minutes more. Afterwards, add the wine and let to cook for another 25 minutes. You may check on spices or salt if necessary, and add the truffle, which will be sliced thinly to cook for another 5 minutes. 

I haven’t put quantities of every item, but I leave it to your own discretion.

This should be a filling main course together with a  varied salad in which you may use lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, radishes, peppers in different colours, onion…

Oysters are a must as an appetizer together with a glass of champagne to toast again for the new year ahead, recalling the biggest lover ever to have been born on Earth: Giacomo Casanova.

As a musical background and unless one wishes to listen to its dearest Cd’s, I should recommend Arabic singer goddess Om Kalsum or Jordi Savall’s viola de gamba. If you don’t happen to have them, worry not; you will certainly find them on you tube.

I hope you liked this idea of celebrating Valentine’s Day in the comfort of your own home with no compulsory bookings, over priced items and crowds around. It will be just the two of you and they can stop the world!

Do not fret though; I now live in a bespoke 4 bedroom house with three floors. How? A loft conversion. Why struggle with the property market when you can just improve what you already have? It’s made all the difference to my life and family home, it feels like my house has been given room and we no longer live on top of each other.

The sky’s the limit when it comes to a conversion. You can use your loft space for an extra bedroom or playroom for the kids, a creative space for art-making or music practice, another toilet, a media room or really anything you need to use the space for. Personally, I’ve created a new bedroom for Oscar, my 7 year-old boy which he loves because it’s a Hip to Gable, loft conversion that apparently makes it look like a spaceman bedroom, with the slanted walls and the Velux windows.

I had total control in how I was going to design my loft space and could have created any type of layout that took my fancy. In addition to this, everyone who worked on my conversion was very diligent, respectful and committed to getting the conversion completed as quickly as possible which is a tribute to the bespoke company I used.

In comparison to conservatories as a method of expanding your home, a loft conversion makes a lot more sense. The loft of your home can be properly insulated and have plumbing installed so that you can live in it where as a conservatory is far less energy efficient and would be impossible to house a bedroom. My convert has expanded upon the amount of live able space available in my family and my loft has become just another floor of the house.

The way that I have had the staircase leading up to my conversion installed means no loss of space as it’s positioned directly above the existing staircase. The detail of the staircase blends in perfectly with the rest of my home and it seems as if the conversion has always been there.  

With the addition of crawl-space storage to my loft I still retain the space to store all of the stuff that was in the loft. It is also a good reason to go and get rid of all the rubbish you no longer need as we found when we had our loft done. There is a pull down door in the loft and I can get access to all of the things in there without having to climb a ladder.

All in all, I’d recommend a loft conversion to anyone who is struggling with the volatile property market and needs to expand.

To speak with one of our experts visit the website of Jones Brothers Loft Conversions. They have much more information regarding loft conversions in Surrey and give free advice on request. Always ensure your chosen company uses qualified tradesman such as our Electrician in Bournemouth.  You can visit many of our completed jobs and speak with past customers to gain feedback.

Divorce

The details of a divorce are stressful and emotional. Separation of assets, children and a shared

life is difficult and if both parties are not on good terms it can be even harder. Getting the right

legal advice from a solicitor with experience in divorce can make the whole process smoother and

easier for everyone involved. Solicitors can give advice on what rights you have, help you reach a

settlement agreeable to both parties and write all the legal documentation which makes a divorce

recognised and final.

Making a will

A will is very important if you want to make sure your family gets everything they are entitled to

after you’re gone. There are a number of legal issues which must be dealt with when putting your

will together which mean it is much better to consult a solicitor at the beginning of the process. They

can help you to write the will out using the correct terms so that it is clear and legal. An experienced

will writing solicitor would also inform you of any inheritance taxes which affect your family. If

you are elderly or infirm, they can help you through the process ensuring you have made sound

decisions and have a viable, legal will.

Claiming compensation

After an accident or injury you may think that there is blame to place and compensation to be

sought. You should first call a solicitor for some advice on how to deal with your claim in an official

capacity. The claim may be against an employer, fellow road user, or unknown third party and for

a number of reasons. Perhaps you would like compensation for being unable to work and loss of

salary, maybe you were left with permanent health issues after a car accident. It is best to talk

through the details of your claim with a solicitor and be advised on the claims procedure before you

embark on what can be a lengthy process.

Buying a house

When buying a home you need to employ a solicitor to carry out conveyancing. This is when

the titles of a property are signed over to a new owner and must be completed by a licensed

professional to make the sale legal. Aside from this necessity it is a good idea to contact a solicitor as

soon as you are certain you will place an offer on a house, to ensure you have the right legal advice

and help in place should there be any complications during the buying process.

Issues at work

If you are having issues at work and feel that your employer is not treating you as they should it

is hard to know what rights you have. Contacting a solicitor is the best thing to do first in these

situations as they will listen to your worries and help you to decide if you have a case to take further.

An employment solicitor will also help you to decide which route to take to best solve your problems

at work. This could mean employing them to undergo legal proceedings against your employer on

your behalf, or pointing you in the direction of a mediation service if relations have broken down.

Last Christmas it seems the number of burglaries rose. Residents of Palmerston North in New Zealand returned home to find their houses ransacked and their possessions stolen. All in all, police believe at least 65 homes were burgled during those two weeks, an increase of more than 20%.

However Palmerston North isn’t the only town reporting break-ins. All over the world, from Henley in the UK to Gresham in The States are reporting Christmas burglaries.

So what can you do about it this year?

1)      Let your neighbours know that you’re going away. If they hear any suspicious noises or see anything strange going on in your property, they know that for once, it’s not you.

2)      Hide any valuables out of sight: Many thieves are opportunists and will simply try to break in if they see something valuable through the window. Laptops and other forms of technology should be kept hidden.

3)      Consider getting a house sitter. A live-in house sitter can help to prevent burglaries, simply by living there. Most importantly, a house sitter doesn’t have to be expensive. Many will mind your home for free, or for very little, if it means a free holiday for them. Just be sure to check that they are properly vetted and have no previous convictions.

4)      Install a timer to randomly turn the lights on and off. Although these devices can seem a little expensive at first, they should be seen as an investment and insurance in protecting your home.

5)      Decorate your house: Adding some flashing Christmas tree lights to come on automatically (see the previous point) is a great deterrent. After all, who would decorate their home if they were going to spend Christmas somewhere else.

Although Christmas has passed, and won’t be back again for a few months, it’s still important to think about home security. Christmas isn’t the only time that thieves strike, but holiday periods such as Easter and school breaks are also common for thieves striking on mass, or one thief doing a mass break-in on multiple houses.

If you’re planning to be away from your home for any period at all, be sure to consider the security, taking inspiration from the 5 points above.  

How does being a ghost? You may not be able to describe it, but you can feel it. There are people who may not ignore the feeling, but there are also very sensitive to the taste or sound.

The couple Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, for example. In 2004, they bought a house in London for 5.7 million dollars belongs to the couple Kate Winslet and Sam Mendes. The house was very beautiful, but the neighbors warned that the house was a strange feeling let down. The old owners are always having bad luck, not happy, then sell it. Kate and Sam did not stay there long.
6 Signs Haunted House
How to actually find out whether a house is haunted? Ask the ghost hunter partner, Ron and Nancy Stallings. The couple had an interest in the field of parapsychology (the scientific study of events outside the norm), while Nancy has the ability to link themselves. He wrote the book Show Me One Soul: A True Haunting, after observing and face a variety of phenomena with a very scientific approach. The couple then founded The Maryland Committee for Psychical Research that investigates paranormal events in hundreds of homes since 1965.

Nancy says, if you experience some of the phenomena just below, then it could be a sign that your house is haunted. “In fact, if you only have one thing only, there may be a phenomenon more than one,” he said.
6 Signs Haunted House
1. There is a strange feeling

Sometimes it makes the house feel so restless or atmosphere felt thick and heavy. Or, you feel there is a change in some room temperature, becomes colder than in the other room. This is due to ghosts absorb energy around it to manifest itself.

“Often times people also feel not alone in that house. They feel being observed, but they did not see anything around, “said Nancy. If you experience this, then chances are you feel the presence of a ghost.

Sometimes there is a shadow flashed. Although this does not automatically prove the presence of a ghost, you need to pay attention to see if there are other phenomena around you.

2. Strange noises

“Often there is a knock on the wall in three series, such as three times, six times, or nine times. People also could hear people walking, like steps, “added Nancy.

Some other people listen to the voice in the kitchen cabinet or drawer open or shut. Another person who can listen to music, broken glass, or the bell rings.

3. Smells unusual

“The aroma can be like perfume or flowers, it smells very sweet. Some ghosts seem to be followed by a foul odor. Usually, they are ghosts and they interfere negatively, “he said.

4. Moving objects

Sometimes there are items such as silverware, which fell rattling somewhere. Alternatively, the stones flying at home. Lights constantly lit and extinguished. The house and furnishings were swaying, as if you experienced an earthquake alone.

5. A strange dog behavior

You know, dogs are often referred to able to feel the presence of ghosts. Dogs will bark or crouch when suddenly appeared an unfriendly ghost. However, if the friendly ghost appeared, then the dog will begin to wag his tail-ibaskan, then sat calmly as though someone stroking.

6. Sightings

Well, this is the clearest picture. It can be hazy and shimmering ball or a figure that seemed to float in the air. Some people see the light flickering in blue, orange, or amber. There is also a look at some parts of the body in the form of arms or legs. “This would look solid, like meat,” said Nancy.

The most convincing evidence that a haunted house is if you can record images of ghosts, even recording a voice-vote.

“Use a new tape, and set the recorder,” suggested Nancy. “Play the tape again, you would be surprised. Often you can hear voices. “
Staying home is like Tombs PDF Print E-mail

A comfortable place to live is everyone’s dream. Various ways can be done to realize the dream home. However, have we ever imagine that it is like a dream house is quiet and lonely grave? Of course the answer is NO, is not it? Prophet Muhammad never reminded that we live does not look like a cemetery, which houses the quiet rhythm of the verses from the Koran.

Al-Quran, has the term AR-SPIRIT. It is like a lamp which is able to ‘illuminate’ a person’s life. When life is not adorned with the Quran then life will be felt ‘dead’ even though nature is still alive. Almighty Allah states this in the QS, Almaidah 15-16,

“People of the Book, indeed Our Messenger has come to you, explain to many of the contents of the Book that ye hide, and many (others) let. Now hath come unto you light from God, and the book explains. “

“By the Book that God leadeth the people who follow His pleasure into the path of salvation, and (with the book anyway) God remove these people from darkness to bright light by His permission, and show them to the road straight “.

History proves, the Koran is able to change the origin of civilization ignorant to be ‘highly civilized’. The success of generations of friends and Romawai conquered Persia, not least because they are loving, intimate, and the practice of the Koran in his daily life.

Blessings of life, household, and we determined the extent to which social closeness us with al-Quran. The extent to which the values ​​of the Koran to the household affairs, economic, social, political and other aspects of our lives. Beware! self and family when away from the Koran. Rosululloh been warned that a time will occur slander (multi-dimensional crisis) befall mankind. Friends of Ali r.a. ask, what’s the solution yes Prophet? Rosulpun replied, “Kitabulloh”.
The best of Man is not the highest degree or the abundance of things, but the best are those who want to learn and teach the Koran. Fortunately for head of household who have conditioned their family members close to the al-Quran. In the Hereafter, there will be a group of parents who were given special awards by Allah SWT. Parents are surprised, why he was given the award. Apparently this is due to his efforts in educating children who love the Koran.

May we become experts al-Quran. Has the program improved understanding of the Koran. Invite family, relatives, friends and neighbors closest to love Al-Quran. So that could raise a family and community life of the crisis and reach kabahagiaan world and the hereafter.

Particularly for head of household, adorn the living quarters with the strains of the Koran, so he does not look like a cemetery … ..

Children are by nature very egoistic: they would do anything to get what they want. It is a parent’s duty to protect a child’s body and ego from harm. Children need more role models than instruction. They have never been good at listening to old folks and have never failed to imitate them.

Research shows that punishment works best when the child is warned about its consequence; when he is convinced that he deserves it; if it is administered immediately after the undesirable behavior is committed; when it is accompanied by explanation or feedback as to why he was punished; when a child realizes his mistake and does something to make amends.

Punishment should be primarily suppressive. When often punished severely children tend to imitate the punishment and apply it to their peers and younger siblings using aggression to resolve conflict. The chain reaction from parent to child is like dog bites cat; cat bites rat. Those who favor punishment have a strange affinity with beasts, savages, and assassins. When punishment is extreme it becomes evil. Evil cannot be fully explained but is exemplified by action. The act may tame the child but it does not improve him because it is in itself a form of evil. There is one word that informs everything: LOVE. “Spare the rod and spoil the child” was never said of parents who love their children. ###.

FINDING a place to call home can he a challenge for anyone. But for Black women, who must weigh factors such as lifestyle, safety, culture and professional outlook, it call be especially daunting. Today’s Sister wants to find a city where she can have it all–a good job, good opportunities and, for the single Black woman, good men.

Considering those desires, EBONY has compiled a list of 10 cities that Rank among the best places for Black women to live. Our findings may surprise you. Some cities you might expect to find on the list–such as Washington, D.C., and New York City–didn’t make the cut when we stacked them against smaller Southern and Midwestern metropolises like Memphis and Cleveland.

“Bigger isn’t necessarily better,” says Dr. Larry E. Davis, author of Black and Single. “Bigger cities may have more numbers, but they may be more difficult places to meet people because people are more guarded. Some of the smaller places may show more friendliness and charm.”

Unconvinced? We go right to the source–Black women and men who live in the 10 featured cities–to find out why these cities are so attractive. Other areas worth examining, according to our experts, include Seattle, Austin, Charleston, S.C., Charlotte, N.C., Nashville and Minneapolis, the only major city with a Black woman mayor.

ATLANTA

With four historically Black colleges, including the all-women’s Spelman College, Black Mayor Bill Campbell and dozens of professional organizations and clubs aimed at Black women, “Hot-lanta” is considered by many to be the Sister’s mecca. “There are so many Black women here, we have kind of a special Sisterhood,” says Shonnta Barnett, a 27-year-old systems manager for Bell South.

Professionally, Atlanta is the place to be, she says. Many of the local businesses track and recruit Black students straight from college to the corporate world. Major companies such as Coca-Cola, Delta and Bell South all have headquarters in the Southern city. “I think Atlanta is becoming a haven for young, Black people to find jobs,” she says.

The pace of the Georgia town is another attraction. Atlanta combines the opportunities of big-city living with the personality of a smaller town.

Culturally, the perks of Atlanta are hard to match. Historical sites abound in the area from the birth home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the APEX (African-American Panoramic Experience) Museum, a collection of art and exhibits. The city houses four professional sports teams, hundreds of entertainment venues and restaurants, museums, theaters, concert halls and nightclubs for every taste from jazz to hip-hop to reggae.

The only disadvantage to Atlanta living, Barnett says, may be the ratio of men to women but that depends on your outlook.

BALTIMORE

With its enviable location on the cusp of the North and the South, Baltimore is a top choice for the Sister of 2000. Karen McClearn lived in New York City until her husband’s job brought them to Baltimore five years ago. “Baltimore is a link to other cities,” says McClearn, the Baltimore Urban League’s program director for the Partnership for Fragile Families. African-Americans comprise nearly 60 percent of the area’s residents, making it the second-largest population of Blacks in the U.S. Culturally, the area has a lot to offer with a vast array of museums. “There are also plays and concerts that are brought here all year,” says McClearn. “Our nightlife is great. There are clubs that cater specifically to the 30-and-over crowd. I have single friends and they aren’t pressed [to find a man]. You have a huge hybrid of professional Black men here; there are more than enough to go around.”

CHICAGO

Black women looking for a big city they can get their arms around should consider Chicago, a vibrant metropolis filled with culture, sports and natural beauty. A lakefront dotted with beaches, museums and bordered by trendy neighborhoods set this Midwestern city apart from other cities of its size. It’s also the home of The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Job opportunities in Chicago are plentiful, say area natives. “I think most people feel like they don’t have to leave Chicago to find opportunities,” says Irene Reed, a 26-year-old literary agent and native Chicagoan.

You can meet young, African-American doctors, lawyers, programmers, writers and artists at monthly events that attract a professional crowd or at one of the city’s many poetry and jazz clubs, restaurants and bistros. “There are men and women here doing positive things,” she says. “I moved back to Chicago from school a year ago and met my boyfriend within five months of being here.”

Reed attributes some of that opportunity to Chicago’s social environment. “Culturally, it’s great,” she says. “You have a little bit of everything here,”

The “Windy City” also has a strong tradition of Black history with plenty of sites for a Sister to explore, including the DuSable Museum of African-American History. Chicago has long been associated with Black activism. Both the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and the Nation of Islam call the city home.

It’s that mix of Black history, political leadership and urban opportunity that keeps it on the list of must-consider cities for Sisters.

CLEVELAND

Cleveland insults are legendary. People once poked fun at the Midwestern city with nicknames such as “Slowhio” and “Mistake on the Lake.” But Cleveland’s renaissance has given its natives the last laugh.

Ohio’s largest city may be one of the unknown gems of the Midwest. The mix of Fortune 500 companies, universities and industrial employers makes it a good place for professional Sisters looking for economic opportunity.

Downtown Cleveland has been reborn as a metropolis with a sports complex, an inventive museum the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Flats, a trendy strip of clubs and restaurants near Lake Erie. “It’s a friendly city,” says Dorothea Santiago, a human resource specialist for the Urban League who has lived in Cleveland nearly all of her 30 something years. “It’s not real fastpaced like New York City or Chicago, but not real slow either. It’s kind of in-between.”

Politically, Cleveland has strong Black leadership, beginning with African-American mayor Michael White. Nearly half of its residents are Black. Cultural sites abound in the area, including the African-American Museum, St. John’s Episcopal Church (once a stop on the Underground Railroad) and the Karamu Theater.

The dating situation gets mixed reviews from Clevelanders who say there are more opportunities for women in their 20s to meet a man than for those in their 30s.

DALLAS

When some people think of Dallas, they envision the White oil barons from the TV series of the same name. But Sisters in the Texas city say Black folks have just as much fun. Thirty percent of the city’s residents are African-American. “The quality of life in Dallas is excellent,” says Carole Davis, Women’s Business initiative Coordinator for Dallas. “I have lived here all my life. I feel comfortable here, and I feel I have room to grow and excel. I have been enriched here.”

You can find Sisters doing community service through sororities and civic organizations and see them demonstrating their expertise in every political level from the city council and state legislature to county judges, says Davis. Professional Black women find opportunities with up-and-coming businesses and the more established companies such as American Airlines and Frito-Lay.

And for girls who want to have fun, they’re in the right town. Along with clubs, restaurants, museums, such as the Museum of African-American Life and culture, and theaters, Dallas offers plenty of things to keep boredom at bay.

“Dallas is one of the premier shopping areas in this country,” says Davis. “We have the Dallas Black Academy, which produces several original plays annually and brings in top Black entertainers. The arts district is unparalleled.”

Some say one of the trendiest spots is the Deep Ellum neighborhood, a strip of galleries, restaurants, boutiques and clubs. And there is no shortage of Brothers to show you the sights.

“There are over 100,000 Black men in Dallas between the ages of 22 and 44,” says Don Walker, a local statistician. “Nearly half of the men have never been married. The ratio of Black men to women is 9 men for every 10 women.”

DETROIT

“The opportunities for Black women in Detroit are tremendous, if the women who are currently serving in leadership position in the city are any indication,” says Greg Bowens, press secretary for he city’s Museum of African-American Detriot mayor Dennis Archer. “sisters are On the move here.”

The city’s chief of staff and chief operating officer is a woman, says Bowens, along with the head of public works, economic development and the director of the city’s Museum of African-American History-the largest black museum in the country.

The “Motor City” has been reborn, say Detroit natives. The rate of serious crimes has dropped 14 percent–the largest decrease in the city’s history–says Bowens. There’s a surge in economic Development…. some $12 billion of growth fueled by small and medium-sized companies, according to the mayor’s office–and Sisters are helping to make them happen. You can find Black women among the city’s elite from the world of art to entrepreneurship and business.

One of Detroit’s Sister entrepreneurs is Acquanetta Hurt Pierce, a “Motown” native. “I’ve seen Detroit go through many phases,” says the 47-year-old CEO and president of Avance Communications Inc., a marketing and advertising agency. “The automotive industry is still big in this city, but we also have gaming, entertainment and technology. Where we were only focused in one area, it’s a global economy now. It’s a good time.”

The social climate in Detroit is thriving too. “Culturally, Detroit has always been unique, especially for people of African-American descent,” says Pierce. “When you think of music and entertainment, you think of Motown.”

Along with the history of Black music, the new Detroit has Black restaurants, festivals, jazz and poetry clubs that offer unmarried professional women places to network and meet other singles.

MEMPHIS, Tenn.

Home of the blues, Memphis possesses an eclectic charm. Black folks comprise more than 50 percent of its population. The spirit of soul permeates from Beale Street to the National Civil Rights Museum on Mulberry Street.

“You can’t get any better than Memphis when it comes to culture,” says Tina Birchett, owner of Birchett and Associates, a local publishing company. “Every culture basically has its home roots here in the Delta, including the blues. We have a rich sense of history and heritage.”

Sisters are making amazing strides in the Southern city, from Black women entrepreneurs to mothers who save to make sure their children get educational opportunities they missed. Birchett bristles when someone describes Memphis as being “stow,” saying, unlike big cities, Tennessee natives take time to think things through. Another perk of living in a smaller city, Birchett says, is the low cost of living.

“You get a whole lot for your money,” says the 39-year-old. “I challenge anybody to find what you can buy for $100,000 in Memphis in other cities. We still have grass in our yards. You can still hear the crickets and smell the rain. That gets lost in other cities.”

The quiet charm of Memphis also extends to the city’s charm. “The man situation here is wonderful.” says Birchett. “There are a lot of nice corporate men who also have that Southern charm They’re still opening doors around here and you can find them at church.”

With its renaissance of downtown, cultural history and wealth of Brothers, Memphis might be the ideal spot for the Sister looking for a place to call her own. “If you want to be a big fish in a little pond that’s growing into a big river,” says Birchett, “it can’t get any better than here”

NORFOLK, Va.

The combination of Black culture, Southern charm and eligible men–particularly Brothers from one of the area’s Naval bases makes Norfolk an attractive choice for Sisters, says Carletta Waddler, who has called the city home for 20 years.

“The Hampton Roads area has about 1.6 million people and still keeps that small-town feeling,” says the 40-something married mother of two. “We have all the advantages of the city with cultural and job opportunities.”

Waddler, who lived in Washington, D.C., before she moved to Norfolk, says she feels relatively safe in the Virginia city, which is part of a five-city collective known as Hampton Roads. The city also boasts quite a bit of Black culture an African-American festival, a Black awards program and the “Tim Reid Weekend,” a benefit featuring celebrities, dinner, concerts and parties to raise scholarship money for children who need an extra push to succeed. According to the 1990 census, 39 percent of its residents are Black.

Then there’s the men. “I was single for more than 10 years in this area,” says Waddler. “We go through the same challenges thatBlack women everywhere go through, but the ratios are definitely better here than in other areas. We have a large military presence, so there are a lot of eligible men.

OAKLAND, Calif.

The city is blessed with sun, temperate winds and beautiful scenery. Jeannette Edgerly, executive assistant to the city manager, says she would never think of leaving. “The climate is good here and there are a lot of African-American people going places and doing things,” she says. “Oakland is a [unique] city of diversity, not like I’ve seen anywhere else.”

Since it’s the home of the Black Power Party, many Oakland residents are conscious, says Edgerly, and that includes the men. “There are a lot of good, strong Black men here,” she says. “Since the ’70s. wv had a strong Black Power Movement and we’ve been in power for the last 15 years.”

Stanley Hall, president and CEO of the Bay Area Urban League, say’s many Brothers in Oakland are making major contributions in many ways. “You have a substantial number of young men who are well-educated, many of whom have advanced degrees,” he says. “They are in top-level jobs, visible to both the public and private sectors.”

The city also has quite a few Sisters in positions of power, including the director of public works and the city attorney. “There is an opportunity to make a good living here,” says Deborah Lusk-Barnes, the contract compliance and employment director. “There seems to be a kind of understood acknowledgment of the value of Black women here.”

PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia, home of the ‘97 Million Woman March, is a city worth considering for Sisters who seek the pulse of an urban locale. With nearly 40 percent of its population made up of Black residents, there are plenty of activities and sites geared to culture-hungry African-Americans, including African-American festivals and historic monuments.

Hope Primas, a former resident of Texas who has lived in the City of Brotherly Love for four years, says it’s a great place for Sisters. “Overall, I think it’s fabulous,” she says. “Philadelphia is a large city, but it’s really a small town.”

Primas, of the Philadelphia Urban League, says there are many professional organizations in the area geared to Black women, including a chapter of 100 Black Women of America. Monthly mixers give Sisters the chance to share ideas–and time–with Brothers.

“I think the quality of men here is great,” she says. “African-American men are progressive, business and political leaders, and many of them are eligible.”

Full name:  Macaulay Carson Culkin 

D.O.B: 26th August 1980

Nickname: Mac

When he was young, he became famous because of his home alone movies. After that he was ranked no.2 in the 100 greatest kid-stars! He started his actor career at the age of 4. 

Here are his photos.

These are some of his photos and now to answer the main question, no. These are just stupid rumours that people put up to try and get themselves popular! He is still out there and will be! He is 1 talented guy and does not deserve death-rumours!