CityAlert.com

BEAN SOUP Comedy Awards: By Carl D. West
Toure Muhammad is the publisher of the only black satire newspaper in the country and if you don’t know what satire means, that’s a politically correct word for funny or comedy. BEAN SOUP Times has been in circulation for over two years and the popularity is rapidly spreading. This newspaper is like a drug, it doesn’t sound attractive, but once you get a hit of it you’re hooked. It covers stories like Bill Clinton’s Father Has Surfaced and He Is Black or Is Condoleezza Rice the Long Lost Sister of Lucy from Charlie Brown? Early this year Toure called me and inquired about doing a comedy award show highlighting the funniest men and women of Chicago. I gave him 5 questions to answer, and once he could validate those questions, than you had a real reason for investing in an event that could survive the criticism. So hear we are with the BEAN SOUP Comedy Awards, which hit the red carpet last Saturday, June 25^th at Oasis Entertainment Center on 12952 S. Western. The host was Power 92’s Cortney Hicks with special guest T’Keyah Keymah from the Bill Cosby Show, That’s So Raven and In Living Color receiving a legendary award. Toure Muhammad and his amazing staff have worked endlessly to bring something special to the dozens of comedians who make Chi town their stage. The comedy scene here is explosive, but the comedians don’t get the credit they deserve, but after BEAN SOUP Times raised the curtain, the laughter will never stop. To read BEAN SOUP Times log on to www.beansouptimes.com

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The TRUTH Awards ‘05: By C.D.W.
This year marked the fifth year of the most important event in Chicago that salutes the best and brightest in urban television, radio, music and movies. The TRUTH Hip Hop/R&B Awards is the most talked about extravaganza that has gotten hours of media exposure and is discussed for months pre and post. This celebrated red carpet event is talked about all year and every local artist or personality positions themselves for nomination or to have their organization as presenters or performers. The award show has had performers like Kanye West, Syleena Johnson, Twista, Mikkey, Do or Die, Johny P., and award recipients like R. Kelly, Tamron Hall and presenters like Art Norman, Dorothy Brown, Suzanne Le Mignot, George Daniels and Andre Grant. The most rewarding part of the event is the corporate partners who have joined with MIDWEST GAP Enterprise to provide resources like Seagram’s, Martell, KOOL, Luster Products, McDonald’s, Miller Lite, Budweiser, COORS, Jewels, Cisco’s Music World and a host of small or midsize companies who continue to support the award show and conference. The award show is kicked off with The TRUTH Business of Hip Hop Conference. This confab is the day before the award show and it attracts many talented professionals who sit on the panel and discuss the most over looked component, which is the business side of hip-hop. Well, this year the award show is getting a makeover. The show is being renamed The TRUTH Awards ’05. This name change is for branding purposes and to prepare for television. In meetings with T.V. executives, they confirmed Carl West’s thoughts about shorten the name. After five years, Carl figured that the core audience knows exactly what the show’s premise is, so therefore, it was ok to brand a new simpler name. Once again, this would make it friendly to television markets. Listen for the new name and logo being introduced at a July press conference and media day to announce performers, presenters and other special features to conference and The TRUTH Awards ’05.

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Define Your Style by Your Hair: Ebony Brown
There are so many fashions out there, that sometimes it’s hard to choose. If you are someone who really has not put much thought into what to wear, one way to choose is by the hairstyle you’re rocking. Now I am not saying that you keep one hairstyle, but here are some ideals on how to put a look together based on the style you have. My personal favorite is the spiked short look. If you are one to rock this style, it goes really well with trendy clothes. If you have something trendy, colorful, and youthful, this is a way to wear them. Another style is the long, flat-iron hair that is very close to the face. This style can be matched with more sophisticated fashions. Now just because I say sophisticated I don’t necessarily mean older. You can still be very youthful; this style creates a more upscale look. Another style is the braids or locks, which can be worn with really funky clothes. Also a style is the pin-up. This can be played with after five dresses. So, if you wore your hair down to work, you can easily define another style for yourself for the after work affair with the sexy pin-up. Check out my fashions at www.brownye.com

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Lonithermie: By Dana Jones
Lonithermie? Watch out ladies and gentleman, the future of cellulite reduction has arrived. Thanks to my good friend, Dr. Monica Moore of Woman to Woman Healthcare, located at 41 E. 8^th street, who invited me to become a certified lonithermie conductor. I quickly took the offer, and as being a massage therapist requires that I remain up to date with advanced treatments. Recently introduced to the United States from France, lonithermie is a multipurpose corrective detoxication treatment that includes a unique, patented blend of galvanic and faradic stimulation (positive and negative electric currents) to address a comprehensive range of skin conditions, particularly cellulite. Used on both men and women’s troubled areas, and usually performed in a doctor’s office, you can see immediate results after one treatment. How you ask? Well, apparently cellulite is just toxins attached to your fat cells. Lonithermie detoxifies your troubled areas (gluts, hips, thighs, abdomen, etc.) thus causing immediate inches lost in that area. The lost is temporary if you don’t take care of yourself. It can require multi-series treatments. However, it’s great for a special occasion, or if coupled with a weight loss maintenance program. For more info contact Dr. Moore at 312.212.9000 or email me at danajones1974@sbcglobal.net.

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Person of the Week

Kenny Johnson / The Richmond Group

Kenny Johnson has proven himself amongst his critics who say he was not a solid promoter and all he did was parties. Over the last several years Mr. Johnson has silenced those critics who happen to be other promoters who didn’t see his vision. There are other promoters who are doing some great things in the Chicago market like Bigg Figga, CK Plus 1, Extreme Entmt and First Fridays, but what makes The Richmond Group special is Kenny’s ability to attract Major Corporation to partner with his many events. His clients include Bombay Saffiare, Anheuser-Busch, Brooks Brothers and BMW. He recently hosted an event with BMW at the newly remodeled Little Black Pearl Art Center and at that event; the Kenny Johnson brand came alive. That was a beautiful event with so many good looking people, but most impressive was the vibe on east 47^th street. When you pulled up, it had a Hollywood feel to it and with such an attractive venue, it made for a memorable evening. Look for more memories to be created by The Richmond Group.

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NOTE: The West – Side Story is under going a make over. Look for new colorful design with photos, and watch for new features like 5 Questions With..... and Personal Finances and Stock market Quotes.

CLEW-Less Enterprise, Inc. dba: CityAlert.com is not responsible for the views and opinions of The West - Side Story. All responses should be forwarded to midwestgap@yahoo.com or 312.980.2681.

Carl West - publisher/editor/CEO of MIDWEST GAP Enterprise; feature writer – Citizen Newspaper Group; Author – Hip Hop Xplosion; member – CABJ, BPRS, #1 Stunnas, Soul Selectors; board member – NNHSC, Harris YMCA, Black Theater Alliance; executive producer – TRUTH B Told television show & The TRUTH Awards, founder – TRUTH for Literacy After School Mentor Program; designer & founder – CHI. Brand Label; content contributors – Janice Taylor, Afrika Porter, Ebony Brown, Dana Jones, Dennis Howell, Andre Grant