Spice Up Your Love Life With "The Silent Date"

For couples in love, the best moments are the ones where no words are said. If you are looking to switch things up with your sweetie, try the "silent date."  

One idea is to meet up with your favorite books. Read silently for an hour and then discuss. This quiet time will allow you to feel the presence of your "love bug" without having them bug you. 

Another idea is to cuddle silently. (Don't get tempted to do the noisy alternative to cuddling.) Just look at each other and smile. Gently rub your hand along your lover's face and smile. Hold hands and resist the temptation to "bump uglies" as much as you can. Trade lust for intimacy and you will communicate more efficiently without saying a word. 

The greatest benefit of the silent date is that it increases your hunger for conversation. When you do converse, you will be more open and careful in your word choice. After watching your partner's body language, you will likely choose words carefully and be more understanding.

Don't shake your head and call me stupid.

Try it!

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The Stunning Reality Of Urban Violence (Editorial)

Shamiya Adams is the top story of Chicago news right now.

Unfortunately, we have come to know her name in a tragic way. 

She is the beautiful 11-year-old child (seen left) who was slain when stray bullets entered her friend's home while they did what preteen girls do: have sleepovers, make snacks, and enjoy being kids. 

Across the nation, kids are being robbed of more than just their childhoods; some of them are being robbed of their lives by heartless criminals. Last week, 14-year-old James Jerimiah Thomas was shot to death at a community center in Jacksonville. Two days ago, a 5-year-old girl was killed in Leavenworth, Kansas, during a police shootout. (The police say that the bullet that ended her life was not fired by them.)

When I saw Shamiya's picture on the news, I thought of my own nieces visiting from Atlanta--some of whom were born in Chicago. The eldest, Jay Marie, is 13, and a very athletic 6 feet; the youngest, Reagan, is the cutest, most playful 1-year-old you will ever meet. The other two, Morgan (9), and Ryan (6), are inquisitive and creative. Despite their differences, I love them all equally without favoritism-- just like Shamiya's family loved her. 

I couldn't imagine getting the news that any coward would hurt anyone close to me. The idea is enough to give me chills to my spine. But the world has become disconnected and distracted by the wrong things. Most people prefer to use social media for personal pleasure instead of mobilizing for social change. And they won't get involved until a tragedy hits their doorstep. 

That is frightening. 

We shouldn't have to wait for tragedy to happen to someone close to us in order to join the movement. For us, the real problem is not "stopping the violence" but "starting a movement." If we start the movement, the decrease in violence will follow suit. By ignoring the proper order of things, we are delaying peace and creating a culture of danger.

My nieces are back in suburban Atlanta now. As much as I would like them to return, I would rather go down there to visit them. I don't want them returning to a city that is not prepared to give them the safety every child deserves. 

The only way to be "So Chicago" is to become "So pissed off" with urban violence that it becomes a thing of the past for our children. 

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Chicago Brings Fans Together at Anime Midwest 2014

For the second year in a row, Anime Midwest welcomed ZacksTV.com back for their 4th year celebration. This year, the convention team implemented major changes and upgrades from previous years. In addition to the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, portions of the Donald E. Stevens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, were used to help house some of the panels, the Main Events stage, and the Dealer's room. As a convention or "con" which cares about its attendees, these changes made things more accessible and more friendly for those who attended.

Another bonus of this year's con was the increase in voice acting talent brought in to give advice and talk about their experience in the business for aspiring voice actors.  Laura Post, a former Chicagoan,  took the time to visit with us and share some background on what she brought to Anime Midwest.

Fans of Team Four Star got to meet them in full force this year and attend their panels. Another famous website team, ThatGuyWithTheGlasses.com brought even more members from their site including fan favorites such as Linkara, The Last Angry Geek, Cinema Snob, and of course, the Nostalgia Critic himself.

The Dantes, well known emcees of the most popular panels at Anime Midwest, raised a lot of money for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, including the winning bid for the Dante's themselves at $600.

It was only fitting that their 4th year anniversary began on the 4th of July as fans from across the country were able to gather together, share their interests, meet new fans, and enjoy a blast of many memorable experiences. We look forward to visiting again next year for their 5th Anniversary, as are a lot of fans who were in attendance this year.

Thank you to all of the staff and volunteers for Anime Midwest, and join them for their many other cons found at AnimeCon.org.

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'The Designer's Disease' : Why We Must Research Scleroderma

In December 2008, gospel singer Rogina Thomas of the Mississippi Mass Choir passed away from complications related to scleroderma. As a fan of her music, I was saddened by her death but I was equally intrigued to learn more about the disorder in order to create awareness in Mrs. Thomas's memory.

According to The Scleroderma Foundation's website, the disease affects 300,000 Americans -- nearly equivalent to 1 in 1,000. Additionally, women between 30 and 55 make up 80% of cases.

Medical experts admit that a major problem with scleroderma is that it is hard to diagnose. In addition to that, doctors and patients must deal with a "Catch 22" of deciding if medication will relieve symptoms or create new health problems.

For more information, watch the documentary below.

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Learn the Greek Alphabet: Hip Hop Style

If you are looking to learn the Greek alphabet quickly, this video might help you. Jesse Mozeko from Penn State University came up with a rap song--set to the beat of a Meek Mill song-- to make the process a more enjoyable one.

As expected, native Greek speakers have criticized the "American" pronunciation of certain letters like beta and delta (which should be pronounced "vay-ta" and "thel-ta"). But the video continues to do well on YouTube.

Check it out and give some feedback.

 

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Meet Glenda Franklin: A Different Kind Of "Undercover Boss"

On the popular CBS program, "Undercover Boss," corporate employees work with their company's executives (who are disguised as contestants on a different show.) At the end of each program, the executive reveals his or her identity and gives (satisfactory) employees surprise perks for their service.
In the case of Glenda Franklin--a former employee of Chicago's 17th Ward alderman Latasha Thomas--the boss received a "surprise" of her own. 

After working for Alderman Thomas for 7 years, Ms. Franklin told her employer that she wanted to run for that same seat in 2015. However, the 50-year-old community advocate contends that her decision is not rooted in betrayal. Instead, she feels her campaign is part of a divine assignment. 

"Politicians are not standing up and saying anything," Ms. Franklin told Zack's TV in a recent phone interview. "They don't use politics to advance the whole community." 

While some critics have questioned her  political motives, Ms. Franklin contends that she and Alderman Thomas parted amicably. "Because I am a loyal person, I always made Alderman Thomas aware of what I was doing as her employee," she said. " I told her: 'I'm going to leave your office so I can run my campaign.'" 

According to local reports, Franklin's campaign has been off to a strong start. She received the endorsement of her pastor, Father Michael Pfleger-- a well known minister and activist. In addition to that, young voters have been embracing Ms. Franklin's grassroots efforts to engage them in the political process. (In the video below, Ms. Franklin speaks to prospective voters.) 

Post by Glenda Franklin.

For all voters of the 17th Ward, Ms. Franklin has one mission: to provide empowerment. In her eyes, the best way to be empowered is to participate in the political process.

"We must get out and vote." 

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Chicago Mayor Responds To Holiday Violence: 'Unacceptable'

Photo by Big Zack TV

After a long holiday weekend, Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel returned to a pressing issue: gun violence.

But the reports are conflicting. 

Some media outlets confirmed that over 50 were shot and 11 dead; others indicate numbers of shooting victims to be over 80. 

On a muggy Monday afternoon, community leaders and residents of the city's Roseland neighborhood came to Kids Off The Block-- a center operated by activist Diane Latiker-- for a vigil and press conference. 

At the press conference, the mayor called the violence "unacceptable" and pushed for more community involvement to supplement the efforts given by Chicago police. 

Earlier in the day, Chicago police superintendent Garry McCarthy blamed lax gun laws. 

For activists like Jedidiah Brown, there is one question which remains unanswered: "Where is the leadership from so-called leaders?" 

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Coming Next Week: Anime Midwest 2014 Recaps

The 4th of July holiday weekend is over; now, it is time to return our posting. 

Coming next week, our entertainment editor Ian Noel Camilotes will give feedback about the Anime Midwest convention in Chicago, Illinois.

Come back soon!

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