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Unblended - The NeoSemantic serves a dish of cultural integration

by Ruarri Rogan — The Storyteller

Good wine making often comes down to getting the blend right. It's interesting how wine can often serve as an apt metaphor for life and culture - especially in regard to blending in this case. So much of America is still so racially divided - and seeing as America serves as a role model to so many countries, a more integrated America will make for a better world.

One of the things that struck me on going to Atlanta in May was that its a city where the blend of race, culture and lifestyle is one of the most balanced I've seen anywhere in the world. In fact I didn't feel any tension, and from people I spoke to I got the impression that a cultural shift is underway and the east coast is leading the way.

Few sites really give the impression of catering to an integrated audience and even social networks like Facebook are predominantly white. The wine world is perhaps the largest culprit and the pages of Wine Spectator portray an industry leader making no attempt to better promote integration and cultural sharing. So many problems with racial integration are structural - and the beauty of the Internet and Web 2.0 is that the structures can be taken apart and reworked into a more inclusivist system.

Neosemantics have provided a platform with TheSynonym.com (info on social Events and pop culture); TheRetronym.com (editorials and current events); TheAntonym.com (admired churches and spirituality) and NeoBoogie.com (music and entrepreneurship) which fuses emergent culture with current culture, business culture, spirituality and social events. No doubt this is a movement that is much called for in the Mid-West in states like Ohio and across America in general.

In the early days of Wine 2.0 tastevine wants to ensure that taste is no longer structurally divided and that people are united within a common culture. Culture thrives on diversity and the mainstream media of the past have offered only hegemony. Already with viral movements like Obama Girl who has undoubtedly contributed to Barack Obama's social network success (over 100,000 supporters on Facebook alone) we can see that NeoSemantics is at the root of a profound movement where its readership are not only concerned with culture, but are looking to make a change within the United States as a whole.

Wine owes its beginnings to the Middle East . It was then appropriated by the Europeans, and afterward cuttings were taken on board ship to begin new colonies as people sought a better life than was offered on the European continent at the time. Thus wine owes its heritage to humanity rather than to any one culture. Together with Tastevine and Neosemantics, we will hopefully pay tribute to this - broadening wine's appeal, and hopefully getting the blend right this time around.

The family that plays together stays together. The Barnettes, a band comprised of three sisters and a brother (Elesha Renee', Adrienne, Kristen and Rufus) have been making music together for years, but the brand of music they tote now is a long cry from the Mozart and Beethoven they grew up on. Elesha Renee', Adrienne and Kristen played cello, violin and viola respectively from elementary age on. Along with Rufus on percussion, the quartet performed the classics at various functions in and around the Carolinas for years. Having never officially adopted a quartet name they were always simply introduced as the Barnettes. So, when they decided to embark upon the project "Four Green Walls" going by the Barnettes came natural. Read More

ED HARDY RUNWAY SHOW MODEL CASTING FOR MMZ INC Hosted by The Charlotte Forum

Male and Female Models Needed for The ED Hardy Runway Fashion Show at Forum in Charlotte, NC.

If you or anyone is Interested in doing this show, please send me the FOLLOWING INFO. Full CLEAR body shot, and 3 other photos, including Headshot. YOU must be at least 5'7 and have Runway Exp. All Models are not selected by MMZ, but by the client. (Ed Hardy) If they are interested in working with you, you will be notified asap by either me or Vida. The Show is August 3rd, in Charlotte, NC. The show will consist of a 20 Minute Runway Fashion Show at 11PM. 10 Females & 5 Males will be rocking the Famous Ed Hardy Line. There is no pay for this event however all involved parties will receive a VIP Card (worth $400.00) to the Forum, and 300-500 worth of Ed Hardy Merchandise. Thank you! Kelly

Look for Less: Amerie

Two interesting articles found in blogs written in the fashion column of NeoSemantics.com that everyone should definitley read. The first blog is Afrobella, articled titled, BET, You got to do better. I know it's kind of long but it's worth the read. It's really interesting. Hot ghetto mess is always talked about because we all recieve the pictures in our email and that are always a hot topic. Charlie Murphy is now hosting a show based off of the sight which will definitely be more interesting. The second article is in the blog, Under the Fashion Bomb, titled Mail Bombs. This is very helpful because there are a lot of styles that we just can't find. Here, you'll find styles you like that won't break your pocket and where you can go to find the styles and more. Believe me. It's a big A+! So here they are.

Fab Couple Alert! Pirates of the Caribbean stars Orlando Bloom and Naomie Harris recently went out on a romantic dinner date in London . The two stars grew close and their friendship grew into something more while working on the set of the movie. Naomie also provided a shoulder to cry on when Orlando split from his ex-girlfriend, Kate Bosworth last year.

Hey, Hey!
So Madame. "Insure my legs" Amerie looked smashing during a recent shopping trip in London...

A few readers wrote in, needing to know how to get her look for less. Thankfully, I found the solution!
You can get her dress for $69.50 at none other than THE GAP .

Unfortch, it's not quite as easy to cop her uber-expensive $800 teal Balenciaga Le Dix Bag (similar to this one)...

...but you can give off the same effect with this $36 Shiraleah Candace Tote ...

...from www.ebags.com .
Her nude pumps are tres hot, and if you're feeling ballerific, you can slip on these $690 Deccollette Zeppa Christian Louboutin pumps...

....I haven't been getting my mags on schedule (moving woes), but I was sincerely delighted when I flipped open my (late) July issue of Elle to find style tributes to two brown divas, Grace Jones... ...and Diana Ross!

Sweet Orange Salmon

Triple-Berry Crisps

Watermelon Gin Fizz

This refreshing and colorful cocktail would be great as a "mocktail" as well—just omit the alcohol.

Saxenburg Private Collection Pinotage, 2003

The 2003 Saxenburg Private Collection Pinotage is a testament to the ability of the varietal when made by an experienced wine maker to appeal to the US palate. Unfortunately badly made Pinotage gave most pinotage a bad name, and this was done by KWV who sent bucket loads of bad wine to the US after '94, and the varietal has struggled ever since because many wine enthusiasts are at loathe to try it. Saxenburg's offering is devoid of the negative profiles such as acetone, nail polish or bananas - and instead its just shy of being called a fruit bomb with distinct plums on the nose, coupled with vanilla pods and prunes with a wisp of smoked venison. Soft round tannins and a modest 13.5% alcohol make for an elegant finish, making this a wine that does not leave the consumer wanting.

Orange Salmon Recipe

Eight ingredients combine in a spice rub that would also be good on pork tenderloin medallions. Serve with orange wedges.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon grated orange rind
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets
Cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat broiler.

Combine first 8 ingredients in a small bowl. Rub spice mixture over both sides of salmon fillets. Place salmon on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Broil for 8 minutes or until salmon flakes easily when tested with a fork.

Triple-Berry Recipe

This fresh berry dessert uses a baked meringue that's crumbled and stirred into the streusel. The filling uses crystallized ginger and orange rind for a decidedly tart flavor that contrasts with the sweet topping. Because the meringue needs to sit in the oven at least 12 hours, make it a day before serving. Or make our same-day Almond Streusel variation. At her restaurant Flying Fish, Chef Christine Keff serves the crisps in small skillets, but we tested them in ramekins as well. You can also make a single crisp in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. For a real treat, serve with ice cream.

Ingredients

Streusel:
3 large egg whites
6 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup flaked sweetened coconut
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into small pieces

Filling:
4 cups blueberries
2 cups blackberries
2 cups raspberries
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup orange juice
3 tablespoons chopped crystallized ginger
2 tablespoons finely grated orange rind
Cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat oven to 200°.

To prepare streusel, place egg whites in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until foamy (about 30 seconds). Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form (about 2 minutes). Gently fold in almonds, coconut, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Spread as evenly as possible onto a parchment-lined 15 x 10-inch jelly roll pan.

Bake 2 1/2 hours. Turn oven off; cool meringue in closed oven at least 12 hours or until completely dry. Remove meringue from paper. Crumble meringue into 1/4-inch pieces.

Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and the next 4 ingredients (flour through 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon) in a bowl; cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in meringue pieces.

Preheat oven to 350°.

To prepare filling, combine blueberries and next 7 ingredients (blueberries through orange rind) in a bowl; toss well. Spoon 1/2 cup filling into each of 12 (6-ounce) ramekins or custard cups coated with cooking spray. Top each with 1/3 cup meringue streusel mixture. Place ramekins on a baking sheet; bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until bubbly. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Note: You can also make this dessert in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. (Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly.) Or use small skillets like the one above, which we found at Williams-Sonoma. (Bake for 25 minutes.) The recipe makes enough to fill 6 skillets, 2 servings per skillet.

Variation: Triple-Berry Crisps with Almond Streusel: If you're in a hurry, try this more simple, traditional streusel topping - made with butter, flour, and sugar.

Almond Streusel: 3/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 4 1/2 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into small pieces; 3/4 cup regular oats; 1/3 cup sliced almonds

To prepare streusel, lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Place flour, brown sugar, and salt in a food processor; pulse 2 times or until combined. Add chilled butter; pulse 6 times or until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add oats, and almonds; pulse 2 times. Sprinkle over berry filling; bake according to recipe above.

Yield 4 servings (serving size: 1 fillet) writeNutrient(); Nutritional Information CALORIES 303(39% from fat); FAT 13.3g (sat 3.1g,mono 5.7g,poly 3.2g); PROTEIN 36.2g; CHOLESTEROL 87mg; CALCIUM 33mg; SODIUM 235mg; FIBER 0.5g; IRON 1mg; CARBOHYDRATE 7.5g

Yield 12 servings (serving size: 1 ramekin) writeNutrient(); Nutritional Information CALORIES 175(17% from fat); FAT 3.4g (sat 1.5g,mono 1.1g,poly 0.4g); PROTEIN 2.6g; CHOLESTEROL 4mg; CALCIUM 37mg; SODIUM 40mg; FIBER 4.2g; IRON 1.2mg; CARBOHYDRATE 35.6g

DID YOU KNOW?

Mobile Video

Mobile television and video subscription revenues grew 198% year-over-year to $146 million in the first quarter of 2007, according to data from Telephia Inc. Approximately 8.4 million wireless customers now subscribe to some form of mobile video, representing nearly 4% of all U.S. mobile subscribers.

In addition, nearly half of the mobile video subscribers polled said they were willing to view ads on their cell phones in exchange for something of value, according to Telephia. At least 55% said they recalled viewing a mobile ad in the last 30 days, which is nearly three times the recall rate for mobile data consumers in general.

Meanwhile, revenues from mobile television and video services are quickly gaining on mobile music. Mobile music, which includes realtones, ringtones and full-track music, brought in $239 million for the quarter. At least 27 million subscribers downloaded some form of audio on their mobile devices, marking a growth of 8 million since the same quarter a year ago, Telephia reported.

A Verizon YouTube Exclusive

Access to YouTube from your mobile phone is starting to become a standard feature. There are even plans for YouTube specific phones from LG and Samsung. And since YouTube launched their mobile website, m.youtube.com , you can pretty much get to Youtube from any phone on any carrier.

It's great to be able to view videos from your phone, but in the midst of all the YouTube craze, Verizon has become the first carrier to allow users to upload videos to the website directly from their phones via a text message. Verizon subscribers just need to update their YouTube accounts with their mobile numbers. After that, users can post their video clips by sending a message to YTUBE (98823). There is no charge for the service besides messaging fees.

A Letter To Our Next President Barack Obama

I must admit that I was an avid supporter of Senator Hillary Clinton however, after listening to several of your speeches and debates on You Tube as well as on your Presidential website; I am convinced that you have our country's best interests at heart. I want to make it perfectly clear that my endorsement for you and your campaign is not because of your skin color. In fact, I have yet to hear you speak or make claims to only one particular ethnic group. As you have said, your father was an African from Kenya , while your mother a Caucasian from Kansas . The world has already labeled you as an African-American, as they have with so many others like Tiger Woods, when the fact of the matter is that you have a multi-ethnic background. I say multi-ethnic because I believe that there is only one race of people the human race, which is then divided into various ethnicities. I choose you because like so many of my fellow Americans across this country and people around the world we need change. We need someone who is real, someone to the point, and someone who has not been tarnished by bribes from secular parties, cliques, and lobbyists in Washington , who serve to fulfill their own personal agendas for monetary or political gain. You speak of hope and peace in a time where we need it the most. However, the turning point for me is your humbling spirit and your ability to relate with the people. You said with all honesty, "I can not do it by myself." You said, "There is strength in numbers." You proclaim in every speech that if elected to be President, "I would serve as the facilitator of change, but you, the people, will make that change a reality." 7/29/2007 - RLP... .READ MORE

VIEW PHOTO BLOG To Purchase Web Photos Click HERE

BET, You Got To Do Better

Black Exploitation Television. Barely Entertaining Television. Black Embarrassment Television.

Whatever you want to call it, BET's been under fire these days. The protests about Hot Ghetto Mess grew so loud, that the news of the upcoming show and the petition against it got airtime on MSNBC, CNN, CBS , and the BBC. There was a pretty interesting article in the Washington Post about Jam Donaldson, the creator of the Hot Ghetto Mess website.

Donaldson herself is a polarizing figure, but she's obviously given deep thought to her goals with Hot Ghetto Mess. In part, the Washington Post article reveals that the genesis for Hot Ghetto Mess, the emotions behind that slogan, "we got to do better," came from interacting with poor people with "the victim mentality" during her work as a legal aid attorney. She gives an interesting quote from the end of the article: " Someone sent me an e-mail [and] said he loved the site and said he was from the KKK," she says. "I don't really care about that. Black people know what I'm saying is true. Everyone knows it's true. We have to get beyond that. We're stifling our growth as long as we're obsessed with what white people think." Besides, she adds: "We all need a voice to challenge ourselves. Sometimes you have to be shocking ...... READ MORE

Why Aren't More Black Women Getting Promoted?

Black women aspire to corporate leadership, but they don't feel that hard work and a positive outlook will pay off, finds a new League of Black Women survey. Many feel persistent stereotypes are stifling their talent and potential, and poor utilization of their skill sets and education relegates them to dead-end jobs, which leads to lower engagement and fewer meaningful connections at work.

A few highlights from the survey of black women:

Nearly 80 percent think racial attitudes diminish their ability to be effective leaders
Only 57 percent feel they can reach their potential in spite of these barriers
Only 20 percent are "very satisfied" with their overall lives, which is based on the quality of their personal and professional relationships, especially with each other, having black-female executive role models and opportunities for career development
Sixty-two percent say they give more of themselves at work when they feel valued for who they are, which many feel doesn't happen often enough ...... READ MORE

Baldblogger Interviews Edward J. Blum, Part 1

As promised in a previous post , this summer will feature an interview with Ed Blum about his work on W.E.B. Du Bois and related topics. Our hope is to use this forum to have a conversation; we hope you will join the discussion. Here we go.....

Baldblogger (BB): From a previous interview we know you grew up in NYC. If you don't mind, briefly trace your academic journey through your undergrad years and grad school. Any formative teachers? Why were they so influential?

Ed Blum (EB): I attended the University of Michigan in the late 1990s and majored in history. There, I had a course in American Religious History with Susan Juster, and it convinced me that religious history was the discipline for me. I was fascinated by the primary and secondary documents she put together, especially Gail Bederman's article on the Men and Religion Forward Movement of the early twentieth century..... READ MORE

"Blum(ing)" Around with W.E.B. Du Bois, American Prophet, Part 2 : No new devotions with Du Bois as outlined in a previous post , but I return here with the second of several posts reviewing Ed Blum's new book on W.E.B. Du Bois. Hopefully readers have had a chance to begin reading this fine book.

Ch. 1
Blum's opening chapter helpfully situates Du Bois's created self within the history of black autobiography. Drawing from literary theory, Blum tours Du Bois's autobiographies, publications such as Darkwater (1920), "The Revelation of Saint Orgne, the Damned" (1938), and Dusk of Dawn (1940). Blum deftly shows how Du Bois created and offered a religious self to readers in conversation with and in response to the particularities of the moment, whether it was instances of lynching, the publications of a racist author ( i.e., Thomas Dixon's The Clansman [1905]), or imperialistic and immoral wars that took place during his lifetime..... READ MORE

FAQ: What Is NeoSemantics.com?:

The NeoSemantic Online Community Newspaper Cooperative

bringing you nationwide reporters, journalists, websites, and entrepreneurs working together to bring you current events, investments, editorials, pop culture, entertainment, and spiritual local news

June 18, 2007 Durham , NC - E | A Consultants, LLC launched its online community newspaper, The Neo-Semantic. The gateway into the community NeoSemantics.com , is accompanied by a holistic team of component websites: TheSynonym.com , TheRetronym.com , TheAntonym.com and NeoBoogie.com .

TheSynonym.com profiles top event organizers and things to do (See MyATL411.net ) while TheRetronym.com gets political with an editorial review of current events; from the Obama'08 Blog & Hillary'08 Blog to this Photo Blog .

A must have for every newcomer to an area, TheAntonym.com is quite handy with its list of places to worship ( DC/Maryland Admired-Churches ). NeoBoogie.com is the perfect site for entrepreneurs and music artist looking to launch their career or advertise their products and services. ( see list of Entrepreneurs or Amanda, CEO of NeoBoogie & R&B Singer for details).

Take a slide show Tour of The NeoSemantic Online Newspaper Click Here |Contact Us


More Travel Cities HERE Durham: www.MyRdu411.net \| Montgomery: www.MyMonty.net \| Chicago: www.MyChi411.net Oakland: www.MyOak411.net \| Atlanta: www.MyAtl411.net \| Nashville: wwww.MyBna411.net And More...Coming Soon.... Join The Team PIMP C For President!!! Listen To The No. 1 Reason Why Pimp C Should Have His Own Reality TV Show...Check It Out And Let B.E.T., VH-1 & MTV Know What They Are Missing: Pimp C Puts All Southern Rappers on Notice ·


We have three great new artist highlighted this week. From the lovely, soulful sound of Ms Tia Dae, to the demanding, powerful tones of Ellisha "Teapot" Mckinney , to the easy going pop/soul sound of John Peter West, these artists come with demanding talent and appeal with great songs to show for it. Let's take a look at each of them to see what all the talk is about. Since 1994, Tia has performed for numerous festivals and shows on the east coast as far south as Orlando , Florida . She is currently performing at various venues in the Metropolitan DC area. It's been a long road for Tia, but it's her powerful voice and distinctive personality that has carried her through, not to mention her personal combination of sugar, spice, sass and sex appeal, along with a solid-steel spine. Tia is currently working on her 1st independent solo project, "It's A Nu Dae," which will debut in the summer of 2007. "It's A Nu Dae," will be filled with radiant magic. It is an album that will tell the tales of love, loss, and temptation. Tia is working with several different talented producers and is writing most of her own material on the album. Ellisha enjoys a solo career where she has given her gifts on many stages in the DC Metropolitan area including The Image House, Bar Nun, and the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage to name a few. She's done some successful radio commercial work for the Minneapolis and DC areas, she's performed privately for the likes of Bobby McFerrin and has arranged and written for various local artists. She also enjoys a successful career as a vocal instructor in which she has been teaching for the past 15 years. Some of her clients include Eric Roberson and up and coming Rashida Jolley. On November 16, 2003, Ellisha independently released her debut album, "Same Man, Different Name". It's a well put together conceptual album about her experience with love and how love affected her life. It's a plethora of music including R&B, Rock, House and Gospel. Clearly in this project she is not afraid to leave any stone unturned. She openly and refreshingly exposes her heart for the sake of the music and her craft. "Same Man, Different Name" is a collection of passions, love, fears, revelations, self-discovery and peace with a clear direction that will have your head boppin', your heart thumpin' and your mind whirlin'! Much to John's satisfaction, John Peter West's songs are providing similar relief to his ever-expanding audience. He's seen it for himself while performing at venues as intimate as The Temple Bar and The Hotel Café, or as broad and public as Santa Monica 's Third Street Promenade. "The idea that I can bring different types of people together seems like a real calling," he says. "And if you can do that, then all of a sudden you can break down a lot of other barriers, because fear is usually the lack of knowledge and a lack of commonality. Music can bring people together so well." In that way, John views his young music career as a way to live a life of public service. At his shows and online, John began selling an 11-track, self-released album, though the tracklisting constantly changes; as he comes up with new tracks, older ones get bumped. "My songs are like journal entries in some ways," he says, and if so, his diary makes for quite an interesting read. "I want to do something people listen to and walk away a little different." His current signature song "Loved You Tonight" was inspired by a friend "who was always getting into MySpace crushes," while the reflective "Masquerade" offers guidance for those "lost in the circus," "lost in the maze." He ponders if "maybe dayjobs pollute us" as he implores dreamers to persist with the anthemic "Gravity." Now you see for yourself that talent we're showcasing on NeoBoogie.com. These artists are blazing the streets and are on their way to becoming the next best thing. To find more talent and for a complete list of those topping the charts daily, weekly, and monthly, visit Neoboogie.com and click on the community link and charts link. Enjoy! Try NeoBoogie Radio At Your Desk The NeoBoogie.com radio station feature gives listeners the opportunity to listen to their favorite unsigned artist nonstop. Instead of clicking on each song from the artist, you get to listen to all songs from an artist while taking on a different activity. And we all know that we clean and listen to the radio, chill and listen to the radio, and whatever else you can think of and listen to the radio. You have the ongoing entertainment of everyone who has a song on NeoBoogie.com. Have a listen to a radio station and listen for the artist you most enjoy. Here are some to get you started. Enjoy! stream & listen to unsigned NeoBoogie mucsic on your computer The Best of NeoBoogie "W-DVA" Amanda's Picks Tre-Ace's Top Tracks For a complete list of who is topping the charts daily, weekly, and monthly, visit NeoBoogie.com and click on the community link and charts link. - Amanda, NeoBoogie.com CEO &amp;amp; R&B Singer