#1-I Dreamt It Was Heaven- written by Leonce Gaiter

“Hanging Judge” Isaac C. Parker; Notorious half-black half-Indian outlaw Cherokee Bill; one-quarter Cherokee “gentlemen bandit” Henry Starr, relative of the notorious Belle Starr; and the worst of the lot—half-black, half-Indian Rufus Buck. These real-life historical figures collided during the fateful summer of 1895, when young Rufus Buck formed a gang of teens to drive whites from Indian Territory once and for all. His vicious rampage is legend. Learn more at http://buckrampage.com

Never Dead written by Jumata Jones
Emerson McGee has spent most of his life living with a secret, and the first-year law student’s menacing struggle with his sexuality is only the half of it. His wife, Danielle, has her own scars of adolescent heartache—which she thinly veils behind her façade as an upper-middle class princess. The newlywed’s cookie-cutter marriage is abruptly interrupted when they make a reluctant move into the quaint house Emerson inherited from his deceased grandmother. Unbeknownst to them, there’s already something else living there: A malevolent entity hell-bent on exposing its connection to Emerson and the tragic secret they share. While a mysterious narrator recounts the details of his abject life, the McGees’ vengeful poltergeist pulls Danielle deeper into a mystery that has haunted an impoverished ghetto in South Baton Rouge—aptly called “‘Da Bottom”—for nearly a decade, and spills into the provocative world of New Orleans hoodoo. Before its final scare, Never Dead concludes with a bloody twist the McGees never saw coming.

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Read: Listen To Destiny’s Child & Beyonce’s Hometown Playlist!

Read: GALLERY: Landmark Year In Black History, 1966

Do you know how Black History Month originated? If you know or may know briefly, here’s what biography.com details about the origin of February being Black History Month. Check it out.

In 1915, Dr. Carter G. Woodson and Rev. Jesse E. Moorland co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). Their goal was to research and bring awareness to the largely ignored, yet crucial role black people played in American and world history. The following year, Woodson published and distributed his findings in The Journal of Negro History. He founded the publication with the hope that it would dispel popular mistruths. He also hoped to educate black people about their cultural background and instill them with a sense of pride in their race.

Honoring Shirley Chisholm

Carter G. Woodson

The son of former slaves and the second black person to receive a degree from Harvard University, Carter Woodson understood the value of education. He also felt the importance of preserving one’s heritage and, upon his urgings, the fraternity Omega Psi Phi created Negro History and Literature Week in 1920. In 1926, Woodson changed the name to Negro History Week. He selected the month of February for the celebration as a way to honor of the birth of two men whose actions drastically altered the future of black Americans. Abraham Lincoln, the U.S. President who issued the Emancipation Proclamation was born on February 12th and Frederick Douglass, one of the

WBW Honors: Medgar Evers

Woodson and the ANSLH provided learning materials to teachers, black history clubs and the community at large. They also published photographs that depicted important figures in black culture, plays that dramatized black history, and reading materials.

Dr. Carter G. Woodson died in 1950, but his legacy continued on as the celebration of Negro History Week was adopted by cities and organizations across the country. This observance proved especially important during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, a time when the inhumane and unequal treatment of black people in America was being challenged and overturned.

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Aaron – born Henry Louis Aaron in Mobile, AL – knows plenty about dreams. He quit high school in 1951 to play for the Indianapolis Clowns in the Negro League. He started in the major league’s in 1954. He broke Babe Ruth’s record in 1974.

“I thought, we’ve come along way baby,” Aaron said in an interview regarding breaking’s Ruth’s record, “From Mobile, Ala., to breaking the most prestigious record in baseball. I feel very proud of myself like I had shown everybody that I could play major league baseball.”

Breaking Ruth’s record not only showed the world that Aaron could play major league baseball, but it was another signpost of what would become African-Americans’ domination of professional sports.

Aaron on breaking Ruth’s record:

A few notable achievements:
• Aaron made the All-Star team every year from 1955 until 1975.
• Won three Gold Glove Awards.

• Won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1957

Read Aaron’s bio here.

Read Newsone’s black 3,000 hitmakers. Read the full story.

“Duck Behind God, When The Crazy Starts Flying”

D (Dodge) U (underdeveloped) C (consciousness) K (kindly) – Iyanla Vanzant

1- Florence, Alabama -This northwestern Alabama town has The Children’s Museum of the Shoals with hands-on education exhibits about the Tennessee Valley. The authentic 42 foot high Florence Indian Mound is surrounded by displays from 10,000 years of Native American history. The home of blues musician W. C. Handy (1873-1958) has his instruments and other personal items on display. The W. C. Handy Music Festival is held annually the first week in August.

2- Pensacola, Florida-Enjoy 52 miles of beaches in this area of northwestern Florida. There’s free admission to the National Museum of Naval Aviation, one of the three largest aviation museums in America. See over 170 vintage aircraft used by the Navy for the past 100 years. Look for special programs for children at the Gulf Island National Seashore.

3- St. Louis, Missouri- The capitol city is home to The Gateway Arch – Jefferson National Expansion Museum, a National Park beneath the 630 foot tall arch. Tour the Museum of Westward Expansion, view a movie about the monument or Lewis and Clark, or ride to the top of the arch. Purina Farms has live pets, displays, hands-on activities, and animal demonstrations and, best of all, no admission charge. The 1,371 acre Forest Park is home to an art museum and zoo with free admission and many free exhibits. Other free attractions in St. Louis include Anheuser Busch Brewery Tours which include the Clydesdales stables, and Grant’s Farm on the Busch family estate which has a petting zoo and tram ride

4- Blue Ridge, North Carolina- Since 1988 Blue Ridge Outing Company has offered rafting trips for families with children as young as 4. Travel magazines consistently give it high marks for value and safety. Their Ultimate Whitewater Rafting Trip for Younger Kids (under 11) even comes with a money-back guarantee if everyone in your family doesn’t have a great time. Other rides that are more challenging are available for adults and older children. Allow 3.5 hours for each ride; 2.5 hours will be on the water.

5- Cleveland, Ohio- Let the kids enjoy the music their grandparents and parents did! Built in 1986, this glass and steel pyramid has a view of Lake Erie. It is the place to put on headphones and hear rock classics, see personal memorabilia from rock stars, and learn about the Hall of Famers. It’s within walking distance of many downtown Cleveland hotels.

6-Franklyn D. Resort & Spa and Pebbles Resort in Jamaica. They specialize in families. Most resorts that offer all inclusive family vacations are usually located in the Caribbean and Mexico and they are a terrific option for a family beach vacation. Many resorts are designed with kids-only facilities, counselors, and planned activities and baby-sitting. Children of all ages are welcome at these properties.

7- Washington D.C. -There’s no better way to make learning about history and politics fun that a visit to our nation’s capital. Free entry to all 19 Smithsonian museums (including the National Zoo with giant pandas, Sumatran Tigers, and baby rhinos), the National Gallery of Art, and to national monuments will definitely help keep expenses down. Hotels can be expensive downtown, but great public transportation system—the Metro—lets you stay in less-expensive lodging outside the National Mall. Older kids will love the International Spy Museum, while a more somber reflection this country’s history can be had at the spectacular Holocaust Museum. Fun day trips include Civil War battlefields like Gettysburg, Bull Run, and Manassas, or visits to Mount Vernon, George Washington’s placid home.

8- Negril, Jamaica -This section of Western Jamaica is dubbed the “Capital of Casual” as it used to be a legendary hippie hangout. In contrast to the all-inclusive resorts that dominate much of the island, Negril has a lot of family-run, family-friendly lodges that offer rooms for well under $50 per night (look for summer-season discounts). Negril is famous for its laid-back seven mile long beach, with gentle waves and a kid-friendly shoreline. Older kids can rent kayaks and paddle out to the coral reef for snorkeling. There are plenty of day-trips to take from Negril; Mayfield Falls is beautiful and generally not crowded. Summer discounts are often available for flights into Montego Bay.

This morning Disney announced that they will now have various cruise offered leaving from the New York City Harbor in 2012. Some of the cruises will include two day cruises to nowhere and to Canada . Now is the time to start thinking about including healthy breaks. They grow up so fast. Create memories that will last a lifetime.

GIANT Travel Tip: Get In First Class

The best thing about it is that when you learn the key you can master all the ins and outs of the budget.

How Busy Moms Can Start A Home Business

Step 1: Take a snapshot of your spending
Every budget starts with sniffing out your spending habits and determining exactly where your money goes on a day-to-day basis. Don’t skip this step: After all, if you don’t know how much you’re spending and on what right now, you can’t decide where you want to spend and on what from now on.

Step 2: Plan your next shopping spree
After you get over the horror of your daily spending, the next step is to go on a virtual shopping spree. Sorry, this trip doesn’t involve a pit stop at the food court; it’s more like a cerebral trip to the mall of your future.

• Grab a piece of paper, a pencil, and a snack.
• Make a list of what you need to buy or do over the next three to six months. These could be physical purchases (like new tires for the car, airfare for the family vacation) or financial plans (such as paying off a credit card, maxing out this year’s IRA or adding to your emergency fund).
• Do the same for planned long-term (one to five years) purchases.

Step 3: Do some simple division
With your money goals in hand, pencil in how much each item on your “wish list” is going to run you on a monthly basis. Simply divide the total amount for those new tires by the number of months until you need them.

Step 4: Set up a no-brainer savings system
With your targeted spending plan in place, it’s time to direct your money towards your goals. If, in the past, you’ve been derailed by daily expenditures or surprise “can’t-live-without” purchases (ahem), here’s an instant fix: Hide your money from yourself.

That’s right: The best way to save your money is to keep your cash out of spending reach by diverting it to a separate savings account — one different from the checking account you use for everyday expenditures. (We can help you figure out the best place to park your short-term cash, too.)

Step 5: Stop mindless overspending
Life is full of temptations. (According to the rundown of my annual credit card spending, “merchandise/retail” is my temptress.) You can stay strong, grasshopper, with nothing more than a few envelopes and a ball-point pen.

The “envelope” method of budgeting will instantly structure your everyday spending. It’s simple:

Come up with a reasonable weekly amount you’ll allow yourself to spend in your biggest categories. (Those are typically “food” (or, depending on your lifestyle, get more specific such as “lunch,” “family dinners out”), “entertainment” (e.g. happy hours, movies, tabloids to pass the time), “transportation” (gas, parking, taxis, public transportation), “apparel/services” (dry cleaning, bangs trim, cute shoes.)

But don’t tax yourself too much: Remember that in dollars-and-cents (and sanity) terms, sweating the big stuff before all else will save you the most coin. Plus, it will leave you plenty of time to procrastinate about stuff besides your finances.

Are We Entering A Recession Or A Depression?

Good luck and tell us how it turns out.