MSN's Top Twenty Places to Raise A Family In The USA

1 Honolulu, Hawaii — Schools spend almost $9,000 per pupil, unemployment ranks less than half the national average, and you can play on the island of O'ahu's 125 beaches.
2 Virginia Beach, Virginia
3 Billings, Montana
4 Columbus, Georgia
5 San Diego, California
6 Des Moines, Iowa
7 Minneapolis, Minnesota
8 Madison, Wisconsin — Madison has a high number of pediatricians per capita.
9 Colorado Springs, Colorado
10 Santa Rosa, California
11 Wichita, Kansas
12 Los Angeles, California
13 Corona, California
14 Austin, Texas
15 Stamford, Connecticut
16 Omaha, Nebraska1
17 Naperville, Illinois
18 Fort Wayne, Indiana
19 Springfield, Illinois
20 Boise, Idaho

MTV's Top Ten Most Popular Artists

1. Lil Wayne
2. Chris Brown
3. Rihanna
4. Pussycat Dolls
5. Jonas Brothers
6. Danity Kane
7. Usher
8. Britney Spears
9. Mariah Carey
10. Katy Perry

Forbes Top 10 Celebrities In The World

Oprah Winfrey
Tiger Woods
Angelina Jolie
Beyonce Knowles
David Beckham
Johnny Depp
Jay-Z
The Police
J.K. Rowling
Brad Pitt

The Dark Night

The Dark Night, starring Christian Bale and Heath Ledger was a long and boring adaptation of the Batman series. I went to see this movie, just because of the reviews that it was given, and I am surprised by the praise that it has received. First of all, Bale's Batman voice was horrible. The Bat mobile did not become exciting until it turned into the Bat cycle. The graphics were not anything to brag about and Ledger portrayed the Joker as a psychotic drunk that was on some type of drug. AHSI gives The Dark Night 3 eyeballs. The pleasant surprise of the movie was Aaron Eckhart 's portrayal as Harvey Dent/Two Face. The character shows us how society can make someone bitter depending on the circumstances determined by fate. You feel his pain while at the same time you can understand why Batman admires him.

Minature Golfing at Mid Atlantic Golf Center

lRules For Minature Golf

1) Play at your own risk

2) Maximum of 5 players per group

3) Six stroke limit per hole

4) Everyone in group must play their first shot before anyone plays their second shot. No Full Swings

5) Replace out-of-bounds ball where it went out

6) Ball resting against an obstruction or brick may be moved one clubhead length without penalty

7) Ball hit by another ball to be replaced where originally struck, no penalty

8) If ball goes in water hazard player is given one stroke penalty

The WNBA Reacts Quickly To Stop Their Players From Fighting

AHSI.....NEW YORK (AP) - The WNBA swiftly suspended the Detroit and Los Angeles players and Detroit Shock assistant coach Rick Mahorn for their role in a skirmish at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Melee in the WNBA. WNBA rookie Candace Parker has already earned attention for her dunks. Now she'll get more after being part of a fight that led to four ejections. Shock forward Plenette Pierson was suspended Thursday for four games for initiating and escalating the altercation in what was the harshest penalty. Mahorn was suspended for two games as were Shannon Bobbitt and Murriel Page of the Sparks. Players suspended for one game included: Detroit's Kara Braxton, Tasha Humphrey, Elaine Powell and Sheri Sam along with Los Angeles' Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker and DeLisha Milton-Jones. WNBA president Donna Orender issued a statement that said the events Tuesday were inexcusable and were not indicative of what the league stands for.

NAS Untitled Becomes His 5th #1 Album

AHSI.......Nas takes the top spot from Lil Wayne the week ending July 26th becoming Esco's fifth number one album. I finally bought Nas's album yesterday and it was as good, if not better than the N@#$% Mixtape with DJ Green Lantern. I would say only three songs were on both Cd's and he gives you fifteen songs on the LP. Esco shows off his talent by making the listener think about all of the different views given to us by the media. He explains why he did not name the album N@#$% and shows us how our society is very hypocritical regarding the N word and the use of it. Nas shows us why people use it and will continue to use it, through his metaphors, how now it is perceived as cool in other races to be referred to as a N word. He is making a political statement by endorsing Barrack Obama, and the tongue lashing that he gives Fox News and some of their personnel on Sly Foxx makes you think about the issues we face in our society.
AHSI gives Nas's album 5 eyeballs.

Sports breaking news and updates

Jeremy Shockey traded from New York Giants to New Orleans Saints for a 2nd and 5th round draft pick in 2009. Shockey, 28, a four-time Pro Bowler, has 371 catches for 4,228 yards and 27 touchdowns in his six-year NFL career. He grew disgruntled with the Giants because he wanted to be more involved with some downfield passing while New York valued his run blocking.

Jason Taylor traded from Miami Dolphins to Washington Redskins for a second-round pick in 2009 and a sixth-round choice in 2010. Taylor has started 130 consecutive games, and his 114 career sacks are 14th all-time.

Brian Urlacher resigned with the Chicago bears to terms on a revised contract, which includes a one-year extension. Mr. Urlacher, 30, had four years and approximately $25.5 million remaining on his contract. Under the terms of the upgraded deal, Urlacher will receive a $6 million signing bonus along with a $1 million bump in salary each of the next four years. The sides also have agreed to extend the pact into 2012, at a salary of $7.5 million. Brian can earn an additional $500,000 in a workout bonus in 2012.

The Los Angeles Clippers acquired Marcus Camby, the NBA’s leading shot-blocker the past three seasons, from the Denver Nuggets last Tuesday for the option to exchange second-round picks with the Clippers in 2010. Camby, a 6-foot-11, 235-pounder, averaged 9.1 points, 13.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.61 blocked shots last season, his sixth with the Nuggets. He joined Dikembe Mutombo as the only player to lead the NBA in blocked shots for three straight seasons, and his four blocked shot titles are tied with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Mark Eaton for the most in league history. The 33-year-old Camby was the second big-name player to join the Clippers this month. Baron Davis left Golden State to sign a five-year, $65 million contract with his hometown team.

Reggae Wine Tasting Festival

ASSI - I received a phone call around 10:30 a.m. on Sunday morning asking if I was interested in going to the Reggae Wine Festival. I am a connoisseur of good Red Wine and have always enjoyed attending tastings, so the music could have been folk and I would have gone. Berrywine Planations is located in Mt. Airy, Maryland off of Interstate 70. There were four entrances and for $15.00 you receive a goblet glass and entry into the space reserved for the wine tasting and outdoor concert. The layout consisted of the Wine Pavilion, located near entrance A, the restrooms were to the left of the pavilion, to the right were additional art vendor and four food vendors. There was a tent area was located between entrance B and C, the picnic area was to the right of the tent area, and the state was right in front of the picnic area. To the right of the picnic area was Bacioni tasting and sales room to the north right was about 12 port-a-potties and behind the portable restrooms was the Abisson room where tours of the vineyard every half hour, so we didn't have to walk far in the 98 degree temperatures to enjoy all that the Berrywine Planations had to offer. Although there were about 24 different wines present, I was disappointed that the only brand of wine available was Linganore Wine, and I preferred the Steeple Chase Red but purchased a bottle of Sangria. The wine sold for $11.00 to $20.00 a bottle. I tried most of the wine available but was partial to the Red. The wine tasting/outdoor concert was over at 6 p.m., which was most ideal for a Sunday affair. As I see it we had a nice shaded spot, people were having a good-time, the food was priced right, and the music was okay. I give the Reggae Wine Festival 3 blinks.

Japanese Cuisine - Free Style

ASSI - We had the wonderful pleasure of dining at Kaz Sushi Bistro located at 1915 Eye Street, N.W. in Washington, DC. The walls are cream in one section, green in another, and the mahogany wood tables and chairs complimented the dining space that is quaint, comfortable, and well lighted. The Bento Boxes makes for a great presentation and makes the food look appetizing, but the food is extremely flavorful and taste better than it looks. We ordered Salmon Teriyake ($27.00) and the Grilled Chicken Breast Teriyaki ($25.00) Bento Boxes that were filling and delicious. We also ordered the Crunch Shrimp roll and Crunchy Salmon roll ($5) each for six small rolls that were tasteful, and we had the Saki special for $14.00 it was chilled and really good. Our waitress provided good service she poured eus a round, took our order, brought out the rolls, explained why one entree is recommended over the other, wrapped the extra food to go, provided service with a smile, and we learned tomorrow is her last day at Kaz Sushi Bistro. She is relocating to Germany. As I see the overall experience was fantastic all us thoroughly enjoyed our food and looking forward to a return visit and maybe next time we will skip the Rolls and have dessert. I give Kaz Sushi Bistro 5 blinks.

Top Five Fuel Efficient Cars

1) The Toyota Prius, the gold standard for fuel economy, includes tepid acceleration, numb steering and nonlinear brakes. City: 48 mpgHighway: 45 mpgCombined: 46 mpgBase Price: $22,160

2) The 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid
The Prius’s main contender is the Civic Hybrid, a more quotidian approach to economical hybrid transportation. In rendering the hybrid more aerodynamic, Honda also made it one of the better-looking Civic offerings. The Civic Hybrid drives more like a regular car than the competition, is a more responsive handler and is a touch less sluggish. The Civic’s hybrid system is simple and compact but doesn’t deliver quite the miserly numbers of the Prius.
City: 40 mpgHighway: 45 mpgCombined: 42 mpgBase Price: $23,270
3) The 2008 Smart fortwo
A small sum of money gets you a Lilliputian car that returns the third-best fuel mileage of any vehicle here. It’s the ultimate urban vehicular solution as defined by stylish cachet, excellent fuel economy and — by virtue of being the smallest — being also the biggest gun in the parking wars. Your mileage may vary with an average of four fewer mpg than the EPA’s combined number. Given that the Fortwo is the slowest-accelerating passenger vehicle in the country, a lead foot, with a resulting impact in fuel economy, is practically a safety requirement.
City: 33 mpgHighway: 41 mpgCombined: 36 mpgBase Price: $12,235
4) The 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid
The Altima Hybrid is sold only in California and in the seven Eastern states that share the California Air Resources Board’s air-quality statutes, which is a shame because it delivers hybrid efficiency in a stylish, pleasurable-to-drive sedan. The Altima Hybrid delivers similar fuel economy numbers to those of the Camry Hybrid, which isn’t surprising considering Nissan licensed Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive for the effort. Paired with Nissan’s 2.5-liter gasoline engine, the Altima Hybrid returns performance numbers better than the standard model. It delivers on its sporty looks and design-forward interior with a fun, enthusiastic chassis and precise steering. If the name “Camry” makes your inner rebel cringe, you’d do well to consider the Altima Hybrid.
City: 35 mpgHighway: 33 mpgCombined: 34 mpgBase Price: $26,140
5) The 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid is good at moving passengers economically and without drama. Unlike the Altima Hybrid, you can buy the Camry Hybrid nationwide. Hybridization did nothing to impact the virtues that make the Camry an award-winning, family-hauling appliance: laudable road manners, quiet and comfortable operation and a highly competent overall experience. Stepping up to the hybrid also begets stability control and the top-of-the-line XLE interior package, minus leather seats.
City: 33 mpgHighway: 34 mpgCombined: 34 mpg (Ratings from 2008 model year)Base Price: $25,860

California leads The Nation In Auto Theft

According to Forbes.com, four of the top 10 cities for auto theft in 2007 are in California--and all four are in the top five, in fact. Modesto, Calif., ranks at No. 1, with San Diego/Carlsbad/San Marcos in the third spot, Stockton in fourth and San Francisco/Oakland/Fremont in fifth place. The city in second place, the only one in the top five not in California, is Las Vegas/Paradise.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), which has been tracking stolen vehicle rates by state since 1985, released its annual report identifying the most stolen cars in 2007 earlier this week. Ahead of that report's release, in the spring the group announced which American cities have the highest rates of car theft.
The NICB tracks metropolitan statistical areas for vehicle theft rates, determining them by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 habitants using the 2007 U.S. Census population estimates.

Facial Cleansers by Earth Science

ASSI - I am always looking for an inexpensive facial cleanser that works well for my skin type. I stumbled on Earth Science facial cleanser at my local Whole Foods Store. The cleanser is light and produces little to no lather but removes all my make up in one wash. According to the makers the products a: Gentle, deep-cleansing, soap-free foaming gel for normal, combination or oil-prone skin types. Herbal extracts and mild coconut derived cleansers combine to clean skin without disturbing the moisture and pH balance. Contains hyaluronic acid to prevent over-drying and lavender to help normalize oily skin. Rich lather rinses clean. Hypo-allergenic. Follow with Clarifying Herbal Astingent. pH 5.5 The facial cleanser retails for $8.50. I prefer to use witch hazel as a toner it works just as good or even better and contains the same ingredients has the cosmetic toners. I like the moisturizer it is thick and a little goes a long way but I have a tendency to squeeze out way more than I need, which causes me to apply more than needed and takes a minute or two to rub into my face. I have made several attempts to put the excess back into the container sometimes I am successful but most of the time, I simply rub the extra under my chin and into my neck. Earth Science claims the Almond-Aloe moisturize does the following: Moisturize, nourish and protect your skin. This ultra-light, ultra-rich lotion combines the benefits of beta-liposomes (nature's most effective skin softeners, soothers, and moisturizers) with herbal emollients and anti-oxidants to help protect skin from premature aging and wrinkling. Apply as needed to face, neck and hands. Lightly scented. pH 5.0 The moisturizer retails for $9.50. As I see it, I have normal to dry skin but purchased the 100% oil free for normal to oily skin and my face does not dry out or nor is it too oily; therefore, Earth Science cosmetics are worth trying. I give the facial cleanser and moisturizer 3 blinks.

Is it Time for a College Road Trip?

ASSI - College Road Trip is an adorable family film starring Raven Symone as Melanie Porter who is looking forward to escaping the protective strong hold of her father who is a Chief of Police, played by Martin Lawrence. How many young Black girls are named Melanie, she must have been given that name because her character is an overachiever who has aspirations to attend Georgetown University. Rounding out the cast is Kym Whitley who plays the understanding and loving mother who wants her daughter to spread her wings and grow, Eshaya Draper plays the brainic little brother, and Donny Osmond has a semi small role as an excitable father who is also escorting his daughter on a college tour. Chief Porter is an domineering father who is extremely possessive of the ladies in his life. However, there is a turning point in the child and parent's lives when respect transforms the relationship. Everyone delivered in the movie even the pig played his part. College Road Trip is a family film that most parents should watch with their children, especially fathers. As I see it if you have yet to see College Road Trip add it to your list of summer DVDs to watch, I give it 4 blinks.

Bath in Lavender Blossom

ASSI - Eyes, Lips, and Face cosmetics has a Bath and Body line that offers the following key ingredients: Body Lotion: Nourishing Vitamin E, Hydrating Organic Soya Oil, Anti-aging Ginkgo Biloba Leaf infused with Lavender Oil, Grape Seed Oil and Chamomile. Hand Soap: Infused with Vitamins B5 & E to nourish skin. Hand Cream: Healing Shea Butter, Soothing Aloe Vera Gel, Reparative Hemp Seed Oil, and Nourishing Vitamin B5 infused with Lavender Oil, Grape Seed Oil and Chamomile. Bath Gel: Soothing Aloe Vera Gel, Moisturizing Glycerin, Reparative Tea Tree Oil, and Purifying Yucca Root infused with Rosewater and Chamomile. Body Butter: Soothing Sweet Almond Oil, Moisturizing Jojoba Oil , and Softening Cocoa Butter infused with Lavender Oil, Grape Seed Oil and Chamomile. I purchased the Lavender Blossom Body Lotion, Bath Gel, and Body Butter that has a nice fragrance and the body lotion is thick and smooth, the bath gel produces a lot of lather, and the body butter smooths is great for the heals, elbows, and knees all the ingredients makes your skin feels soft and smooth. I am pleased with the bath and body products purchased and I will try some of the other fragrances that are offered. Eyes, Lips, and Face offers the Bath and Body at a special offer of 3 products for $10.00. As I see it the product is well worth the money, the fragrance last all day, especially if you use all three products together. I give the Lavender Blossom bath gel, body lotion, and body butter 4 blinks.

Club Love

AHSI...... If you ever come to Washington DC on a Friday night, The best club in the MVA is Love. Love is located on the corner of New York Avenue and Okie Street in Northeast DC and is about 45 minutes from Baltimore, Maryland. Every time I go to Love I have a great time. The club offers you several floors with three to four bars on each floor while continuously playing a variety of music. The ratio of women to men is about twenty to one. They are usually educated, working in the metropolitan area, and dressed up from head to toe. The dress code is casual, but I would suggest that the men wear a collar shirt , slacks, shoes and leave your sneakers and timberlands at home. The club usually opens after 9pm and it gets crowded at 10pm because if you go on line to lovetheclub.com and you can print out free passes up until 11pm. I would suggest that you get their early because the line stays constant from 10pm until it closes and you can wait in line for more than a half hour easy. AHSI give Love The Club 5 eyeballs.

Assassins "Wanted" Cold Blooded

AHSI.......Wanted starring Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman and rapper Common is telling the story about a group of elite assassins. It is full of action from the beginning until the end of the movie. This film takes you on a journey and has wonderful graphics, and a combination of new and old moves that will impress you. I give wanted 4 eyeballs. I would recommend this movie for all to see.

ASSI - Wanted is a exciting from the beginning to the very end. Timur Bekmambetov the director assembled a crew that made it possible for him to direct an action pack film with some of the best choreographed stunts that I have ever seen. I thoroughly enjoyed this film with the exception of all the rats, which was relevant to the film but cause me to have many discomforting moments during the film, it took some of the enjoyment away, but overall the story and how it was delivered was impressive. Anglina Jolie who often plays a powerful woman commands the screen and does an excellent job portraying Fox who foxy in more ways than one, she is one bad ass assassin, and James McAvoy plays Wes the main character of the film who is taught from the best to be a force to be reckon with. Morgan Freeman and Common also play important roles in the films and delivers their parts making Wanted one of the best movies of the year. As I see Wanted receives 4 blinks.

Terminate On Site

The new album by G-Unit is not going to be the number one album in the country. TOS came in at #4 on the billboard chart, while ironically Lil Wayne's CD went back to #1. This new LP is growing on me. At first, I was a bit disappointed with this record, because it is was you expect with a new Fifty Cent album, a lot of build up but not enough quality material to back it up. With all of the drama that the Unit is facing, like kicking Young Buck out the group, takes away from the credibility of the record. I like five to six singles on the LP and I think its time for fifty and his crew to eat their slice of humble pie. AHSI gives TOS 3.5 eyeballs.

Congratulations to Venus Williams on Winning her 5th Wimbledon Title

Overcoming an early deficit, Venus beat Serena 7-5, 6-4 Saturday for her second consecutive title at the All England Club and seventh major championship overall.

International 4th of July on the Mall

ASSI - In all the years that I have celebrated 4th of July on the Mall in Washington, D.C. I have never seen as many International visitors than tonight. The dollar is weak; therefore, folks from all over the world conversed on the Mall to witness Washington's fireworks that started five minutes early due to the threat of rain and the all of our visitors experienced a firework show worthy of their presence.

Make-up Your Face with Eyes, Lips and Face

ASSI - I received an email with a promotion that now seems bogus but the featured cosmetics were selling for $1.00 for Eye Shadow, Lip Stick, Blush, Bronzer, Lip Gloss, Mascara, and Lashes to name a few of the items available for purchase. According to the email Nordstroms purchased the Eye, Lips, and Face cosmetic line and was in the process of redoing the packaging but needed to sale all of the existing product. Since receiving the product, about two weeks ago, I used the cream, eye shadow a duo Black and Smoke Gray set, which I am unfamiliar with using, and without the right applicator it can be rather messy. Blending is definitely the key to using and wearing cream eye shadow. I also purchased the twelve brush set that came with one sponge applicator that wasn't that effective, the sponge actually came apart from the handle. I really like the powder eye shadow it compliments my skin tone and comes in a variety of single shades, duo compacts, and four shade compacts with applicator included. I compare it to M.A.C. Cosmetics the longer you have it on the better it looks on you. I am looking forward to using the lip stick and gloss when my current lip gloss runs-out. As I see Eyes, Lips, and Face has soft tones that will enhance your beauty instead of making your face shout; however, if prefer your make-up to scream instead of whispering the cream products will work best for you. I give Eyes, Lips, and Face 3.5 blinks

Congratulations To The Boston Celtics For Winning the Championship....ASWESEEIT Predicted The Win 11/13/07 Check Older Post

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Boston Celtics Big 3 Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce are Making an Impact on the Team Early
As of right now, the Celtic's are the only undefeated team in the NBA. With the new additions of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, the Celtics went from a below average team to the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. KG is averaging 22 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists a game. Ray Allen, former University of Connecticut player, is averaging 22 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists a game. Paul Pierce, the veteran of the team, is definitely happy with the new editions to his team. He is averaging 23 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists each game. The Big 3 are making a name for themselves in the East and I am picking them as the early favorite to win their conference.