ARTITORIAL: I'm undecided on Marvel's Hip Hop Covers

Starting in 2015, Marvel Comics decided to put out a series of covers for some of their most famous comic characters, that are based on some of HIP HOP music's most iconic covers.
THERE IS NO DISPUTING...THAT DOPE IS ALWAYS DOPE.

The Marvel covers work because the LP covers worked and the LP's they are borrowing from are...DOPE. Classical Music of the 20th Century.

I...however am undecided as a music critic and DJ/comic fan as to whether I feel Marvel is celebrating the culture or just capitalizing on it?

As dope as the covers are....why not a sincere...heartfelt thank you to the millions of African American readers and supporters of Marvel Comics since the 1960's. I have had crates of comics since the 1970's and honestly have more often felt ignored or at the best marginalized by Marvel for decades.

As dope as the covers are...I would like to see more people that look like me telling the stories.
I am not saying that the Marvel of 2016 still ignores people of color. The honest fact is I don't know.

My connections with Marvel these days are basically through books I have owned for over 20 years and through my inter actions with them at conventions. I no longer as fan itch to get to the comic store or 7-11 to find out what happened to Spider Man.

In the 2000's I finally began to unplug from Marvel and DC comics because I saw them more interested in extending stories so they could later be sold as collected editions. I saw them try to compete to get more darker after the success of DC's The Watch Men. Also between both major companies it seemed like only 5 or 6 writers were allowed to write every story, often by tearing down every story written before.

So at the moment I will say the Marvel hip hop covers are dope and they take me back.

Do they add or take away from the legacy of the LP's that inspired them?

DEFINITELY...MAYBE...

Tonight at The Claridge's 20's...MASTER MINDS

Once a year Ava Holly Lewis of 4 A Star Communications hosts a sit down dinner that brings together the most successful success stories in New Jersey.

The annual event called Master Minds meets this evening at the beautiful Twenties Restaurant in The Claridge Hotel at 6pm.

Holly-Lewis hosts the annual affair as a way to help business owners meet and have meaningful discussions at dinner and announce for the first time their visions for the new year!
Raymond C Tyler will be there tonight to interview several of the attendees for FM 91.7 WLFR and we'll let you know about some of the great things coming to SJ this year first.

Raymond C Tyler has been authorized to offer a discount admission of $30.
Please contact Ava Holly Lewis at 609-457-4103 for more information.

Winter Warm Up

 

NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER LAUNCHES ITS ‘WINTER WARM UP’ SALE

$10 ADULT/$5 CHILD TICKETS JANUARY 4, 2016 – MARCH 31, 2016

 

 

 

 – The National Constitution Center today announced its Winter Warm Up sale, running January 4 through March 31, 2016. For just $10 (usually $14.50) and $5 for children ages 4-12 (usually $8), visitors can experience the Center’s main exhibition, take in the live production of Freedom Rising before it closes for renovations, view a rare copy of the Bill of Rights in the Constituting Liberty exhibit and discover how freedom of religion became a fundamental right in Religious Liberty and the Founding of America.

 

Starting February 12, Winter Warm Up visitors will also be able to add the Center’s highly anticipated Headed to the White House exhibit to their visit for an additional $3. The only exhibit of its kind, Headed to the White House is created to engage students, teachers, and visitors of all ages with the election season. Using the U.S. Constitution as its launch pad, this hands-on exhibit takes visitors from the campaign trail to Inauguration Day all in one visit.  

 

Special programming during the Center’s Winter Warm Up includes:

 

January 18, 2016                                                              Martin Luther King Jr. Day *$5 Admission

February 2016                                                                   African American History Month

February 12, 2016                                                            Headed to the White House opens

February 12 – February 15, 2016                                Presidents Day Weekend Celebration

February 15, 2016                                                            Presidents Day

March 2016                                                                         Women’s History Month

March 23 – March 30, 2016                                          Spring Break

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About the National Constitution Center

The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia inspires active citizenship as the only place where people across America and around the world can come together to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its Congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a non-partisan basis.” As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits.  As America’s Town Hall, the Center brings the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a center for Civic Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire, excite, and engage citizens about the U.S. Constitution.  For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.

If You Can't Stand The Cold....

Annual Polar Bear Plunge to Benefit Special Olympics NJ Returns to the
Wildwoods Saturday, January 16

 

 

Dig out your bathing suit and join in the fun! The Special Olympics New Jersey returns to the Wildwoods to kick off 2016 with an icy plunge into the Atlantic Ocean during the annual Polar Bear Plunge on Saturday, January 16 at 1 p.m. on the beach behind the Wildwoods Convention Center.

The Polar Bear Plunge is a FREE event for spectators to watch, but Plungers must raise $100 in pledges to participate in the event. Registration is available online by visiting www.njpolarplunge.org. Additional registration and donations will be accepted on-site the day of the event.

The Wildwoods’ Polar Bear Plunge is a family-friendly event benefiting more than 22,000 athletes of the Special Olympics New Jersey. There are incentives based on the total funds raised, and the highest fundrasising team will be awarded the Wildwood Polar Bear Plunge Championship Cup.

Check-in will take place from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. inside the warm Wildwoods Convention Center before the event. Immediately following the Plunge, all participants can enjoy a free lunch inside the Wildwoods Convention Center.

The night before the plunge, Friday, January 15, Special Olympics New Jersey will host a Beef ’n Brrr Benefit at the Bolero Resort, located at 3320 Atlantic Avenue in Wildwood, from 7 - 11 p.m. A $20 donation will raise money for the event and includes roast beef sandwiches, salad, wings and draft beer, as well as a 50/50 raffle, live auction and live music by The Nobody Band. You do not need to be a participant in the Plunge to attend the Beef ’n Brrr Benefit.

The New Jersey Law Enforcement Torch Run is sponsoring the Wildwoods’ Polar Bear Plunge and is comprised of Law Enforcement officers who volunteer and are dedicated to raising funds and awareness for Special Olympics. The Special Olympics Torch Run has become one of the most colorful aspects of the Special Olympics New Jersey Opening Ceremonies.

Year after year, the Wildwoods’ Polar Bear Plunge continues to grow in popularity and is just one of the many FREE events offered in the Wildwoods. Beat the winter blues by showing support for a worthy cause and come join in the excitement of the January Polar Bear Plunge.

For additional information regarding the Special Olympics New Jersey please visit www.sonj.org.

For additional information regarding the Wildwoods’ Polar Bear Plunge please call 609-896-8000 or visit www.njpolarplunge.org.

For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.  

Tropicana Celebrates Heart Month

 

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (January 4, 2015) — Tropicana Casino & Resort invites you to paint the town red for heart month on National Wear Red Day Friday, February 5, 2016.  Take advantage of activities throughout the day to maintain a healthy heart, happy pockets, and more importantly to create awareness for heart month!

Friday, February 5, 2016

• 11:00am Photo Op with Tropicana Executive Team, and AtlantiCare
• 11:00am- 1:00pm FREE health screenings and Zumba class in Palm Walk

From 11am – 1pm, AtlantiCare’s Life Center Fitness will be offering on-site Zumba demonstrations and exhibiting LifeCenter registration and services information. Additionally, AtlantiCare’s Heart Institute will offer an interactive healthy heart spinner wheel along with service information and cardiac education.

Friday, February 12, 2016

• 7:00pm- 9:00pm Yoga Rave at Boogie Nights

Bust out your yoga mat and get ready to shake your chakra… Boogie Nights at Tropicana is hosting a yoga rave on Friday, February 12th at 7pm in conjunction with AC Yoga, AtlantiCare Life Center Fitness, and other local yoga studios.

Doors open at 7pm with body painting and $5 drink specials sponsored by Skyy Vodka.  AC Yoga will lead a one-hour upbeat yoga session to get your heart going from 8pm-9pm.  Tickets at the door are $20 and include yoga session, admission into Boogie Nights when it opens to the public at 9pm and a drink ticket valid from 9PM-close.

Enjoy the following specials and promotions throughout the month of February:

Heart-Healthy Dining Specials

• Broadway Burger Bar- Try a Grass-fed Beef Burger for $15.50, or Grilled Salmon for $24.
• Carmine’s- NYC’s legendary family style Italian restaurant invites you to try one of our low-calorie dishes: Mixed Seafood, Pomodoro, or Broccoli Garlic & Oil. Make sure to ask for gluten-free pasta and start your meal with a Grilled Portobello Salad. 
• Chickie’s & Pete’s Crab House and Sports Bar- Take the guilt out of your meal by asking for our gluten-free menu available daily. In the mood for a salad? Try our low-fat raspberry vinaigrette. Or skip the lettuce and go red with our signature mussels red, a staple at Chickie’s & Pete’s.
• FIN- Healthy meets mouth-watering with these heart-healthy specials: Colossal Lump Crabmeat and Avocado Napoleon appetizer with citrus vinaigrette for $18. Grilled Wild Pacific Shrimp and Cape May Scallops marinated in Grecian extra virgin olive oil, lemon, and fresh herbs served with roasted Mediterranean vegetables and a greek yogurt cucumber sauce for $38.
• Il Verdi –Verdi Seafood Salad with romaine hearts, jumbo lump crabmeat, shrimp, roasted peppers, plum tomatoes, and English cucumbers in pomegranate vinaigrette for $16, and Grilled Balsamic Veal Medallions with heirloom tomatoes, red onion, and arugula salad for $34

•  Cuba Libre- Get your heart AND your taste buds going with Cuba Libre’s Grilled Vegetable Paella- healthy, loaded with veggies and MUY delicioso! Broccoli, zucchini, cauliflower, leeks, eggplant, wild mushrooms, artichoke hearts with saffron long grain rice topped with asparagus and roasted piquillo pepper salad for $21.

Drink Specials

• Broadway Burger Bar- Broadway Bloody Mary made with vegetable infused vodka for $12 or a Green Tea Cosmo made with green tea, vodka, triple sec, lime juice and cranberry juice for $10.
• FIN, Il Verdi, Tango’s and 10 North Lounge-  Raspberry Hearts cocktail made with Stoli Razberi Vodka, Cointreau, Grenadine, Lemonade, Sprite with fresh Raspberries $8
  
  

Retail Specials

• AtlantiCare Life Center Fitness- For the entire month of February, receive one month of free membership with a 3-month payment commitment, a free fitness assessment and exercise prescription ($150 value), 2 free one-on-one personal training sessions ($65 value). Month-to-month memberships are available with no yearly commitment. Regular, Corporate, Student & Senior Rates Offered. Payroll deductions are available with select employers.
• Step Up- shop casual and athletic attire for men and women with 10% off storewide, excluding sale items
• IMAX Theatre- Receive $2 off ticket purchase for guests wearing red
• Hat Emporium- 10% off storewide, excluding sale items
• A Time for Wine- 15% off purchase for the entire weekend

The Lunch Break with Raymond Tyler:The Closer

Lunch Break with Ray Tyler THE CLOSER