Librarian's Unite Against Google

Yesterday, TIME Magazine reported that the Justice Department will be looking closer into Google's plans to publish 20% of some titles online at no charge and reaping in a portion of the profit when/if the work is bought via their online service.

That part is not too bad, but what has most librarians' buns in a wad are the snippets of "orphan books" (out of print books who's author's and publishers are unknown) that will be published and then sold, where Google will reap ALL of the profits.

In my opinion, the market will dictate if people will go for these unpublished pieces of work. They have very little credit in the academic world if they are ever used for reference due to the fact that the author and publisher are unknown.

I say that if Google wants to publish them, go for it. In one respect it brings writing to a broader clientele which it would have not had reached otherwise.

Shout It OUT! Gay Man's Guide To A Job Interview

Published June 12,2009

Http://associatedcontent.com/article/127625/shout_it_out_gay_mans_guide_to_a_job.html?cat=60

Mayor Mark Mallory's Shop52 Small Business Series

Last night, I attended Mayor Mark Mallory's Shop52 Small Business Series at The Cintas Center in order to get some ideas as to how to grow my own small business.

This ongoing series will be held once a month for the next few months, focusing on different aspects of envisioning, starting and running a small business.

I learned alot, and even got a few jobs out of the participation.

For information about the next seminars, visit The Mayor's website.

Hope to see you there!

HIV in Cincinnati's African American Community

The Enquirer has a great article in today's paper chronicling some of the fears and misconceptions about HIV.

Kudos to them for publishing it.

I just hope that leads to more aggressive approach to HIV testing and AIDS awareness in our African American community.

Cincinnati NAMjA's Random Office (Cubicle) Pics

Here are some random pics of a few figurines I have placed in my office space from today's adventures @ the office.

Despite the dreary day, it has been a pretty fun @ the office. So fun in fact, the girls and I are springing for LaRosa's for lunch...let the good times roll!

A Call for Action

Early this morning, in the 400 block of East 13th, three lives were taken before they even had a change to live.

The coward that did this unimaginable act may not immediately receives what he deserves, due to our city's police force, despite their most valiant efforts, but even i he this perpetrator is never caught, he will see the whites of the eyes which he stole from this Earth.

Our neighborhood must take back its streets!

This abominable act occurred on the heels, and just a few feet from one last Saturday's Spring Fling, where children (and adults alike) enjoyed the afternoon and was momentarily taken away from the trials and tribulation of everyday life.

We Need To Be Visible - Those in our community (including myself) have to not be afraid to walk down the street, say hello to those hanging out on the street corner. If they can stand out on the stoop for hours at a time, I am sure that we can do the same.

We Need To Call Early And Often - There are several apartment buildings on the block in which I live, that are known drug dens. Our neighbors know it, and the Police know it, but yet they still exist. I want to plead to all of my neighbors to call the Police ANY time they see suspisious activity. That may be someone waiting i a parked car, for nor reason, and a person casing cars.

Act A Fool - If you are ever approached by someone who you do not know and they attempt to rob you....ACT A DAMN FOOL! Yell, scream, holler and let them know that you re not going down without a fight.

Of course this is not an all inclusive plan for decreasing violence. Cooperation with neighbors, the education system, organizations all will continue to play a part.

We have to stop this violence and we have to stop it NOW!

Pendleton Neighborhood Council's 7th Annual Spring Fling/Information Fair

Each year, along with my friends here in the neighborhood, I have organized this great event.

Every year, I invite non-profit organizations to come down and set up a booth and while providing some sort of activity for the children, they can also let the know what activities they have during the summer months.

This year's event was held in conjunction with the Pendleton Art Center's 2nd Look Saturday, this past Saturday, May 30th.

Nearly 150 people came out to enjoy a violence neighborhood party where the received important information about health and wellness in addition to jamming to a rockin' DJ while they learned f free activities which will keep them occupied through the coming summer months.

Thank you to the following organizations who participated this year:

Patchwork Kids

Kidz Club

Civic Garden Center

Over-the-Rhine Recreation Center

POCWA

American Heart Association's NKY Branch (Thanks mom!)

LeBlond Boys & Girls Club

Cincinnati Parks

Stop AIDS

"Final Friday" @ The Pendleton Arts Center, May 29th, 2009

The last Friday of each month, the Pendleton Arts Center, once one of the United States' leading shoe factories and now one of the largest collection of artist's loft under one roof in the country (close to 200 artists lofts), opens its doors and throws a party.

Located in the historic heart of Pendleton, the center charges no fee for you to wonder through all of the lofts sampling food, libation and some pretty good visual art work.

This particular night, I was volunteering for Stop AIDS, where a proceed of artwork purchased tat evening went directly to "fighting the cause".

Here are some of the pics that I sapped as I meandered through the 8 stories of art.

The Taste of Cincinnati 2009 (Through My Eyes)

Every year Cincinnati shuts down a few blocks of 5th Street in the heart of the city and hosts some of the best eateries of the city.

During this three day event, you are able to sample some of the best dishes of the city within just a few steps rather than driving all over the city.

This years 'Taste' was held over the Memorial Day weekend, and though some showers temporarily dampened the event, over all it was a great weekend!

Where is the love at?

I know that you are never supposed to end a sentence with a preposition but I love to live one the edge...lol

You wanted to send out a quick note the Cincinnati NAMjA is in the process of becoming a "brand name" here in the Queen City.

Look for more details in the coming months, but I just wanted to give a 'heads up' to those few loyal readers.

Enjoy the rest of the day!

Coffee Emporium: The best little coffee shop in town

I can not say enough about this neighborhood coffee shop, centrally located on Central Parkway (no pun intended).

Even at 7am, right when they opened this morning, the barista were cheerful and happy despite the early morning hour and over cast sky.

Cheers to ya CE and keep up the great work!

Coffee Emporium
110 E Central Parkway
www.coffee-emporium.com

Morning stroll through 'tha Hood'

Yesturday morning I began my trek to work a bit earlier than normal and stopped off @ Coffee Emporium for a cup of Joe and bought a half dozen cookies for the girls at the office.

Here are some pics that I snapped along the way.

MTV's "Taking The Stage" In My Backyard

Every so often Cincinnati gets thrown into the nation's spotlight. Some of that light has not been the brightest (i.e. The Cincinnati Riots of 2001 and the resulting boycott by a number of high profile African American entertainers).

Most of Cincinnati's recent nation wide fame has come in the form to television programs, beginning back in the '80's with "WKRP in Cincinnati".

This has morphed into this year's MTV reality show, "Taking The Stage" which follows 5 highschool students attending The School for the Creative and Performing Arts which is located just across the sreet from my appartment.

Several times through out the school year, I have watched as the film crew shot the students in action.

Here are a few pics of Malik and Mia shooting another scene yesturday afternoon.

Pendleton Neighborhood's 7th Annual Spring Fling / Information Fair

When: Saturday, May 30 12pm tp 3pm
Where: Pendleton Arts Center, 1310 Pendleton St.

Why:
The goal of the Spring Fling is to display, promote and generate awareness regarding summer activities within and around Pendleton for children (and adults) who reside in the area. This year's event will be held in conjunction with the Pendleton Art Center's 2nd Look Saturday event.

For additional details, visit our website at pendletonneighborhood.org and click Events/Volunteer @ the top of the page.

See you there!

Associated Content Article: Ab Busting Workout

I published this article in the beginning of the year, when we all were just fresh on our New Year's resolutions.

I thought I would just send out a gentle reminder that though the New Year is not so new, it's no reason to give up our resolutions. I think this is more for me than for any one person in particular...lol.

Enjoy!