Purple Drank

JaMarcus Russell

The news is buzzing from the recent arrest of NFL QB JaMarcus Russell for the possession of a controlled substance-codeine syrup. Just why would codeine syrup be a controlled substance you may ask? Codeine syrup is sold in cough syrup and most cold liquid medicine, so why was he arrested?

Purple drank, the street name, is a recreational drug that came onto the scene in the 1990s and made very popular by a Houston DJ, DJ Screw.  This drank quickly became a favorite among the rap scene and as we are quickly finding out, a favorite among NFL players.  

The most popular type of codeine syrup is promethazine-codeine, a prescription cough syrup. The active ingredients are codeine, a narcotic, and the antihistamine medication promethazine. When taken in large quantities, both medications can lead to sedation and altered levels of consciousness. In lower doses, these potentiate the opiates.

Purple drank is a concoction of promethazine codeine syrup, Jolly Ranchers candy and 7-Up soda. In recent years, Purple drank has gained nationwide fame from being included in the smash hit “Sippin’ on Some Syrup” by  Three 6 Mafia, in Lil Wayne Duffle Bag Boy video he is seen paying homage to DJ Screw & have Purple Drank in his cup…but this dr[a]nk does not only appeal to male rappers but to female rappers as well. Nicki Minaj sings/raps about the Purple drank in her hit single “Mind on My Money“.

This is the new down low way to get high and those that drink Purple drank think they are not doing anything wrong since the ingredients are bought over the counter & even from a candy store; however, this is an illegal activity; hence the arrest of JaMarcus Russell.

Sol Searching does not endorse the use of illegal drugs. Children don’t be fooled this Purple drank is dangerous and you should SAY NO TO DRUGS. Do your research, the music industry has lost many to the drinking of this Purple syrup: Pimp C, DJ Screw, and several others.

Memphis own City Taste

 Memphis own, Kim Hill, has definitely changed the way Memphians look at and taste food. She is living the mission of City Taste by increasing the awareness and educating the residents of Memphis in regards to food selection, healthy eating, and resturant selections.   

Ms. Hill has taken this education and awareness a step futher by planning a City Taste right here in Memphis, TN. Her vision for City Taste is to provide attendees with the opportunity to eat their way through 63,000 square feet of food of every type, from Greek to Japanese, American to Mexican and from hot wings to steak from white tablecloth chefs to fried chicken cooks, to barbecue pitmasters to peanut farmers. Memphis City Taste gives you the opportunity to try any and everything that you can imagine!

           

             

This tasteful event will take place in Memphis on October 8 and 9. There is entertainment, a VIP Lounge,  and of course food planned for this two day event. Cigar rolling, Vodka tasting, and a cocktail party are just a few of the planned activities guests are sure to enjoy.

This event will be the largest speciality marketplace of its kind on this side of the Mississippi and an event that the family can enjoy…

If you love food, enjoy good music, and just want to have a great time while experiencing some of the delicacies Memphis has to offer, then this is the event for you. For more information, visit http://www.thecitytaste.com/. You can also find City Taste on facebook at:  http://www.facebook.com/memphiscitytaste where you will receive updates about the event, find recipes, and plain ole good places to eat GREAT food.

Make your plans now to be in attendance…I would hate for you to hear about it after the event!

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About the Founder:

Kimberley Hill, CEO & President

Kimberley is the COO of City Tasting Tours, Inc in Memphis, TN.

She received her B.A. in Communications and a minor in Public Administration at the University of Memphis. She is currently working on M.B.A. from The University of  Memphis. Kimberley is a Member of the National Restaurant Association, as well as the

local Memphis Chapter, she is also listed as Culinary Enthusiast with the American Culinary Federation.

22 Essential Social Media Resources You May Have Missed

Social Media is the new wave in everything we do in our daily lives & business. Most people figure they are social media savvy, Mashable has an article listed today that shares 22 essential social media resources.

It would behoove you to bookmark this list and revisit the list to refresh you memory in regards to social media resources.

Enjoy the reading because I did….

22 Essential Social Media Resources You May Have Missed.

Brand Excitement

I had the wonderful opportunity to interview Beatrice Johnson on Sol Searching Blog Talk Radio show  in 2009. She is an amazing woman & I have been following her work since our initial meeting over a year ago.

Johnson company, Brand Excitement, recently celebrated the one year mark when Johnson turned her on again/off again freelance practice into a full-time business. Brand Excitement process is simple….Express..Excite..Expand.

In the recent bi-weekly ezine I receive from Brand Excitement, was an article on Examing Everything to make your business more visible. Listed was a 7-step process/exercise to get your business on a solid foundation to great visibility.

It is a great short article detailing the 7 steps. Step # 6 stood out the most to me: Exceed their Expectations. Go far and beyond what the customer/client is expecting and exceed what they could get from your competitor.

The article definitely is a thought provoking..Sol Searching..article for the business owner. Take the time now to read the complete article and begin to implement the suggestions in your own business to increase brand excitement & visibility.

Happy Birthday Tuskegee University

Many are celebrating today as Independence Day. Families are getting together for BBQs, fireworks, and just a plain ole good time. Yes, today is significant to America’s independence but it is also significant in the establishment of Tuskegee University on this date in 1881.

Lewis Adams, a former slave and community leader, is credited with the founding of Tuskegee University. With his influence in the Black community, W.F. Foster approached Lewis about assisting him in securing the black votes for his upcoming election bid. Adams made a deal with Foster that for the Black votes he wanted a school where his people could gain an education and as they say the rest is history. Tuskegee University was formed from that one transaction/deal.

Booker T. Washington was the first Principal (known today as President) of the one room shanty that only had 30 adult students in the first class taught at the college.  Dr. Washington served as Principal of the college from 1881 until his death at the age of 59 in 1915.

During the tenure of President Robert R. Morton (1915-1935), The Tuskegee VA Hospital was established and was the only hospital with an all Black staff of professionals.

In 1935, Dr. Morton was preceded by Dr. Fredrick Patterson. We can thank Dr. Patterson for the creation of the School of Veterinary Medicine because over 75% of today’s Black Veterinarians are Tuskegee graduates. What a great accomplishment!

Dr. Patterson was an awesome leader. He brought the Tuskegee Airman training to the College. He is also credited for establishing the United Negro College Fund/UNCF (www.uncf.org).

Tuskegee grew during the transformational years of the Civil Rights Movement but remained an intact and viable institution for Blacks under the leadership of Dr. Luther Foster (1953-1981).

Under the tenure of Dr. Benjamin F. Payton (1981-2010), Tuskegee was able to achieve the creation of the Tuskegee University National Center for Bioethics in Research & Health Care and the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic site was launched.  Tuskegee has the largest athletic arena in the SIAC-The General Daniel “Chappie” James Center for Aerospace Science and Health Education, due in part to the leadership of Dr. Payton.  The Alums of TU can also thank Dr. Payton for completing the renovation and expansion of the Historic Dorothy Hall, The Kellogg Conference Center is one of only 12 worldwide.

Tuskegee received the honor of being ranked the No. 1 institution in the state of Alabama and No. 6 in the nation amoung historically black institutions by U.S. News and World Report in 2008.

Tuskegee offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees to future Tuskegee students in 56 majors and continues to be the only Historically Black College and University to offer School of Veterinary Medicine. Tuskegee opened its doors almost 130 years ago with only 30 adult students in a one room shanty and have grown to over 3,00 students, a campus that encompasses 5,000 acres and 79 buildings all from one man determination that his people deserved a quality education.

 “Lifting the Veil” is their motto. A monument of Booker T. Washington stands tall in the center of the campus with an inscription that reads “He lifted the veil of ignorance from his people and pointed the way to progress through education and industry.”

If you would like to learn more about Tuskegee University, get information concerning admission, or donate to this great school, please visit www.tuskegee.edu.

New Couple Alert: Bass Pro Shop & Memphis, TN

Well, well, well…its been five years in the making. The City of Memphis allowed the Executives at Bass Pro Shop to pimp them out & string them along for five full years. Bass Pro President Jim Hagale was in Memphis on Wednesday to sign the contract for a 20 year lease. Now Memphians should be happy because Mayor Wharton & the other city officials are ecstatic about what Bass Pro is [suppose] to do for the city.

Picture courtesy of Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau

Ok let’s think about this: Bass Pro Shop will fill the Temple of Doom Pyramid with all their Bass Pro stuff in a city that did not embrace the store that is located here off of Macon Road. Now you want us to believe that since Bass Pro is moving  into the Pyramid, Memphians and tourist will travel downtown to buy fishing gear, boats, or to practice archery? I mean really…..

The location is horrible oh but wait, Memphis leaders have agreed to put $30 million into this project because over a 20 year lease Bass Pro Shop will pay over $20 million in lease payments. Don’t let me forget, this will create 1,00o jobs. Will all these jobs be filled with Memphis citizens or will Bass Pro fill these positions with employees from other cities?

I don’t know….there are still a lot of questions that need to be answered…I will stay optimistic but it will be hard!

So what are your thoughts on the marriage of Memphis & Bass Pro?

Chris Brown? What do you think….

Ok, I wasn’t going to post about Chris Brown & his BET performance but I have to because it is so much buzz about his performance being a publicity stunt. Or was he really missing Michael? Now we all know the drama that has been following Chris Brown for over a year now, so need to talk about that. However, Chris was blackballed from the BET awards last year due to his [interactions] with Rihanna.

I truly believe that Chris was overwhelmed with emotions that he truly was unable to finish the song. You got to remember, he didn’t get a chance to give Michael a proper tribute because the Music Industry and others waged their pledge to Rihanna instead of staying neutral. Now a year later, a couple of days from Michaels death’aversary, Chris gets the opportunity to give his idol a proper tribute.

Now honestly, you had to feel his emotions! He was back at the BET Awards, his fans were screaming his name [something that was dwindling away from him], and he was dancing for MICHAEL.

Brown’s performance was one of the highlights of the night. He put his all into the dancing and the singing [lip-syncing]. He had to prove his value to his fans, the promoters, the record companies, and the world again.

He was losing ground with his fans & had already been banned from the United Kingdom so he had to put on a GREAT show.

What are you thoughts concerning Chris Brown? Do you think the media has drugged his name through the mud enough? Do you think since he is know known as a “woman beater” that he should be banned & lose all his endorsements and fans? When is enough enough?

The Chris Brown saga continues…but you can not deny he put his all into the BET Awards show.

The National Aids Awareness Day

I attended my first Aids Awareness rally/campaign on Tuesday.  LeMoyne Owen College Community Development Center (LOCCDC), a nonprofit organization specializing in community development in the  SoulsvilleUSA area of Memphis, TN, along with the Shelby County Coalition to Eliminate Syphilis/Memphis Health Center hosted its First Annual HIV/AIDs Awareness Day, at 915 E McLemore Ave in the new Towne Center across from Stax Museum. There was live entertainment, give-a-ways, free food and free HIV and STD testing to the public.

The National HIV/AIDS Awareness Day began in 1995, under the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), an AIDS organization that believes in making a difference in the lives of all people in our community. The Day was started to promote the importance of early diagnosis and HIV testing. The June 29th SoulsvilleUSA event gave individuals the opportunity to get tested, gain knowledge of the dangers of this disease, how to avoid it and access to resources for help.

The National HIV/AIDS Awareness Day began in 1995, under the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), an AIDS organization that believes in making a difference in the lives of all people in our community. The Day was started to promote the importance of early diagnosis and HIV testing. The June 29th SoulsvilleUSA event gave individuals the opportunity to get tested, gain knowledge of the dangers of this disease, how to avoid it and access to resources for help.

I must say I was really impressed by the turnout & the infromation that was shared. I’m sure many are still thinking this is a gay man’s disease or it could never happen to me. I’m sad to tell you that no one is immune to this disease. The only way to be assured that you have not contracted AIDS/HIV is to get tested. I took advantage of the free testing & got stuck in my arm with a needle to find out my status.

Please don’t have the attitude that this could never happen to me…Know your status!

I want to publicly thank Joy Turner of LOCCDC for spearheading & organizing this event to educate & inform the citizens of Memphis & Soulsville. The sponsors of the event were: Shelby County Coalition to Eliminate Syphilis/Memphis Health Center, Tonya Dyson, Stax Museum, Salon de Sol, King Cotton Hot Dogs, St. Jude, Volunteer State Helathplan, TennderCare, LifeBlood, Sunrise Program, Blues Project, Porter Leath, & HealthSpring.