Happy Summer Solstice!

Today is the beginning of the summer solstice, the first day of summer, and the longest day of the year.

The summer solstice is a result of the Earth's north-south axis being tilted 23.5 degrees relative to the sun. The tilt causes different amounts of sunlight to reach different regions of the planet.

Today the North Pole is tipped closer to the sun than on any other day of 2010. The opposite holds true for the Southern Hemisphere, for which today is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. Read more at National Geographic.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular. 4 Stars!

At the Rockette's Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall. Quietly it's hot! The Rockette's were formed in 1932 by Roxy Rockefeller as precision dancers called the Roxyette's. They are literally still kicking today! Parents take your kids next Christmas. 4 Stars!
Best regards,

Neonu
www.neonujewell.com

OPI Gel Manicures 5 Stars!

Ladies if you hate chipped nail polish, constantly retouching your nails, or spending money for manicures only to ruin them within the hour - and fake nails are not an option. OPI gel manicures are your gift to yourself. They are completely dry at the end of the manicurist's application. It lasts 10-14 days still looking fresh. It costs a little more, generally $40 - $45, and takes more time to apply and remove. But sooooo worth it! I am hooked.
Best regards,

Neonu
www.neonujewell.com

2008 6th Annual Hoodie Awards Hosted by Steve Harvey: 5 Stars

Neonu's InSite was live in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Orleans Arena on the Ford Blue Carpet at the 2008 6th Annual Hoodie Awards hosted by Steve Harvey.





(Left: Shirley Strawberry)

Right: Steve & Marjorie Harvey with Patti LaBelle

Left: "Showroom Shine"
Hoodie Award Best Detail Shop
(St. Louis)

Right: Kirk & Tammy Franklin

Noel Gourdin

Left: Dwele

Right: Terrence J & Rocsi with Hoodie Award Winner "Fade Shop",
Best Barber Shop

Left: Stephen A. Smith

Right: Joe with Jamie Hall (Representing Ford)

Left: Wendy Raquel Robinson & Husband Marco Perkins

Right: Regina King

Left: From Celebrity Fit Club Dr. Ian Smith (5o Million LB Challenge) & Sommore

Right: Cassi & LaVan Davis

Photography by Carmen Allen; Editing by Neonu Jewell

On My Way to Vegas

I am on my way to Vegas for the 2008 Hoodie Awards. Not everything will stay in Vegas...I will provide reviews and more upon my return...

Neonu

Democratic National Convention in Denver

Perennial
is proud to be hosting “Party With A Purpose,” a series of receptions during the week of August 25th, 2008 at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. Each of the eight events will be centered on themes ranging from a “Welcome to Denver ” Celebration to a “Celebration of Civil Rights Icons” honoring the achievements and contributions of Coretta Scott King and Fannie Lou Hamer, among others, on Tuesday at Earls Restaurant...

Throughout the week there will be appearances by political figures such as the Rev. Al Sharpton and other influential personalities. On Tuesday evening at Vinyl Nightclub, actor Hill Harper from CSI: NY will headline a reception for his foundation, “MANifest Your Destiny,” a non-profit youth organization dedicated to empowering, encouraging, and inspiring underserved males to succeed. On Wednesday morning at Earls Restaurant , actress Annette Bening will receive the Spotlight Initiative Award from the Creative Coalition in conjunction with her work for the film “14 Women.”

The week will culminate on Thursday with two significant events. In the morning, Martin Luther King III and his sister Elder Bernice King will help celebrate the 45th anniversary of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Later that evening at the Hyatt Host Hotel there will be a “Yes We Can” Celebration, following Senator Barack Obama’s acceptance of the Democratic nomination for President of the United States . Special guest Will.i.am and friends from his groundbreaking music video “Yes We Can” will be in attendance along with members of his band, The Black Eyed Peas, and numerous other celebrities.

Click Here for more info.

Book Review: Standing at The Scratch Line

By Clarence Lewis

Hey Guys!!! I was having dinner with Neonu and was telling her all about a great book I���d just finished reading. She said I should write a review to share with the InSite Family, so here you go. The book is titled, ���Standing at the Scratch Line��� by Guy Johnson. Johnson is the son of renowned author and poet Maya Angelou (not that genetics has anything to do with writing).

The book was recommended to me by my mom. It sat on the shelf for 2 months because the title was so strange I thought it was about black people struggling to make it, a la Good Times. Boy was I wrong. This book is set in the early 1900���s and is about the life and times of King Tremain. One of my friends who also read the book described the character as ���the man every man wishes he was���. Remember the Godfather Part II when they show you the history of Don Corleone and how he became the godfather. Now make that character a black man building an empire during the height of Jim Crow and Harlem Renaissance. THAT���S THE HOOK!!

When I think of that time period, I picture it like ���Gone with the Wind��� and ���To Kill a Mocking Bird��� and other famous films which depict black people as always waiting to be saved or redeemed by the white majority. That���s what makes this book unique to me. It presents the idea that even in the worst of social times if you stand strong, then you can control your own destiny. King Tremain is definitely a force to be reckoned with (guns a blazing, if necessary). One of my boys read the book and called him an absolute ���stud.��� My mom thinks it���s the best book she ever read. I wouldn���t go that far. She also said that every woman wishes she had a man with some (not all) of King���s characteristics. That I can agree with whole heartedly.

I���ve turned about 10 people on to the book and everyone who's read it has enjoyed it. The book didn���t get much acclaim so you���ll probably have to find it on Amazon or some other online book store. Oh, if you do read it and you enjoy it (I���m sure you will), don���t forget to check out the sequel, ���Echoes of a Distant Summer.��� Maybe I���ll tell you about that one another time.

PS. I could say so much more about this book like what is the meaning of the title, but I���m going to let you find out that and much more on your own.

Mother's Day Brunch Guides

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Tour de Champagne Houston

May 30, 2008, Tour de Champagne will stop in Houston at the Hotel Derek. If you live in Houston or will be visiting during this time, this a must attend event (see review). Tour de Champagne will offer you an evening of champagne from more than 20 prestigious champagne houses and tasty fare from some of the city���s favorite restaurants including Bistro Moderne, NOE, Masraff���s, and Pesce. More info.

Diddy Says Drink Ciroc

October, 2007

Today Diddy signed a multi-year deal with Diageo to develop its Ciroc Vodka brand in exchange for 50% of the profits, which could mean more than $100 million for Diddy. Last night I watched Diddy on Donny Deutsch's CNBC show The Big Idea (by the way 5 stars for this show). Diddy explained that vodka was his drink of choice and he realized one day that none of the premium vodkas were marketed to appeal to the sexy, sophisticated, and money-spending crowd. So in classic Diddy style, he decided he was just the person to change that image and that Ciroc was the vodka deserving of such a blessing.

Bars, lounges, and clubs you better stock up on Ciroc. Hate him or Love him Diddy Gets Results!