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Jobs With justice

Posted By Ed Simmons
Photos By Harvey Finkle

……….They really don’t give a damn about anyone else. They all lack empathy for the people whom they represent. Christ, the whole damn bunch of them took two summer holidays, leaving millions hungry. I went hungry, the bastards had me cut down to one meal a day. I’m down to 173 pounds and at 6′3″, I need to be somewhere near 195 to do my job in construction. Oh yea, I got a job today. Not that things are turning around out here in Los Angeles, I was just very lucky. The job situation out here is still ugly! This attitude of, I got mine, can be contagious. They split us up, the unemployed, left the 99ers behind, the American Workers who are most needy of a hand up!

Poverty Kills

In my work, if we’re not getting our job done, the entire crew is subject to being run off. Should our Congress not be held to this same standard? Now some of these slugs want to continue the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, the top 2%. This top 2% needs to accept some responsibility for bringing our economy down. They need to be throwing down some scratch, help our nation up out of this hole, not bury the 99ers in the ditch. Why is it in Congress, there is so much concern over Corporate America at the expense of the American Worker? All these corporations are doing fine. They all have plenty of money to hoard with manufacturing moved off shore, most of the money they make, doesn’t make its way back around into the hands of our citizens. It just pads the pockets of the privileged. Its skimmed off the top!

Union

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it once more, we as a Nation united need to run ALL these bums out. Put in people who will honor their oath of office, people determined to get their jobs done. Its hard for me to comprehend how a bill in Congress can run thousands of pages, yet our Constitution is only four. The only conclusion I can come to is our Government has gotten out of hand. Like a fright train rolling down a mountain side, crushing everything and everyone in its path! Our Government has been hijacked. It is no more a Government of the people, by the people, for the people. Today our Government has become an unyielding beast. I say let’s slay this beast and bring back our American Dreams! I’m sick and tired of this smoke and mirror Government, I’m fed up, the people of Bell got fed up too. The people of Bell, the first to step up, all across our Nation. Our Citizens need to follow their lead, enough is enough, they’ve all shown their stripes, We The People, need to take our power back!

Unite

Our highest court has sided with the powerful. No longer do they defend the rights of the common man. Their rulings on campaign funding spit in the face of the people their supposed to defend. Corporations are not people. We Are The People! Its ever more clear we are out here on our own, all alone! Absolute power, corrupts absolutely, the citizens in this country, need to follow the lead, set in place by the hoodwinked people of Bell! I can’t forget, I won’t forget about the 99ers plight, I will not let this go.

A Shelter Is Not A Home

Mom told me way back when; “Edmund remember always, but for the grace of God, there you go!”. I’m tired of this congressional conspiracy set on sabotaging our American Dreams! I’m embarrassed, I’m ashamed, there are broken down families, families that have been broken up, living as refugees, living in tent cities, all just cast aside! We can’t let this stand. We all need to see to it, that the disenfranchised American unemployed, get theirs back. Common men and women in our nation have to motivate, to get out and vote, and on the day after November 2nd, say to all of Congress voted out of office; hey pal,”You Got Yours!”

End Poverty Now

To read more of Ed Simmon’s blogs, log on to www.yeeha.org/art

Ryan: Philadelphia, 2004

……The Penthouse years (1995 to 2005) defined a decade of photographing some of the most beautiful and erotic women in the world for Penthouse publisher and founder Bob Guccione. Here is a selection of a few of my favorite models from that time period.

Natascha: Paris, 2000

Natascha is originally from St. Petersburg, Russia. I was introduced to her by a bookshop owner in Paris who frequently carried my published books. I suppose it was his dream to eventually see pictures of Natascha in one of my publications. I called on her whenever I visited Paris.

Olga: Paris, 2000

One afternoon, Natascha brought her friend Olga over to my hotel suite to meet me, who also quickly became one of my favorite subjects.

Mitchy's Rear Torso: Amsterdam, 2002

Amsterdam became a regular destination for the variety of multicultural beauty that is ever present in The Netherlands.

Nicole: Hamburg, 2004

If I were looking for the tall, Helmut Newton type, Hamburg was just the right place to cast for models.

Gina Wilde: Hamburg, 2004

Sandra: Hamburg, 2003

Lauren In Kitchen

……….A lot has been going on at Lou Pop’s house since he passed away almost a year ago. I had the pleasure of meeting him once at the home, a charming place outside of the Philadelphia city limits, with a yard and all the pleasantries of the suburbs, now for sale. Lou pop was known for his love of women, so I thought it would be a fitting tribute to photograph a young beauty in the spirit of his plethora of erotic imaginings before the house was sold.

Lauren At Kitchen Sink

So I wondered about the house with my new model Lauren, thinking as if I were Lou Pop. Visions of beauty everywhere around the cozy home.

Lauren Laying On Front Patio

I shared the pictures recently with one of his most dearest friends. Her comment was “Lou Pop was smiling!”

Lauren Posing In Bathroom

New Model Lauren Brooks

A Living Saint

Posted By John Gialuco

……….On Monday July 5, my wife, Amy and I boarded a bus to NYC. Her meditation teacher rented a bus so a small group of us could receive a HUG from Amma, http://www.amma.org/, an extraordinary Indian Saint who has introduced the primal concept of giving people a simple hug with a unmeasurable amount of love energy to go from her to you. Amma probably gave hugs to 2000 people starting at 11 am until late into the night. The event was held at the Manhattan Center a few blocks from the royal Empire State Building which is once again the tallest building in NYC… for now. ‘Mother’ has hugged over 30 million people in the last 39 years, black, yellow, brown, white, young, old, sick and healthy. She has hugged for over 22 hours without a stop, without food or drink, an amazing feat for any human being. She makes claims to no religion, nor deity other than the Love of God, Goddess, All that Is.

After waiting around 3 hours for our turn Amy and I got in line to meet Amma. Amy was so very nervous and excited at the same time, she was even a little frightened. I am not sure what I felt since we continually had to move up towards Amma sequentially hopping from our seat to the seat in front of us and so on. As we were next in turn someone told me not to touch Amma but to grab the arm of her beautifully padded chair in which she sat all day. Someone gently took my small backpack that I had stuffed my sandals in alongside of some great Indian cookies I had bought downstairs in the make shift dining room. BTW the lunch and other Indian foods sold was some of the best tasting Indian food I’ve ever had. I was next surprisingly lifted and guided into the arms of Amma from her aides standing on either side of her. I tried to look into Amma‘s beautiful dark eyes which I had noticed earlier on the sidelines but I soon started to struggle for some air since my face was now crushed into her massive cleavage. In a moment’s time she lovingly pulled me into her and began to repeat a phrase which had a personal message but again I couldn’t quite hear her since my ears were now covered with her breasts and arms. Everything happened so slow and fast at the same time, I truly was bewildered. When I think and bring back the feelings I had at those moments I feel like crying from deep within my being. I can’t say exactly why except that I was given a gift of her energy and Darshan.

The Hugging Saint

It is an unspeakable thing to remember what we felt, what unconscious codes we were given when we were all hugged by our mothers or whoever gave us our first meaningful, loving hug in our lives. The Hug that conveyed our true sense of self hood, a knowing of unconditional love, acceptance and total safety. This is not a shock but a recognition of life, our life… for this one time in our existence we know we are eternal. But I digress.
Amy was in tears and a bit shaken as we were again helped up from Mother and gently guided to the side to then sit on the floor with others who had just received Darshan before us. From where we sat we could watch other people glide into the arms of this truly great woman who was born with the desire and choice to represent and disseminate Love through her simple, simple Hugging. For me seeing children of all ages hugged and kissed by Amma left the most touching impression.

I awoke that night at around 3 am and sat outside my patio in the 90 degree midnight heat just staring into the trees and sky, listening to the dark, knowing that for this short time all the bullshit we are inundated with day in and day out was suspended and that although we have come a long way as a species, we have never really been separated from our Source and Natures. I challenge every politician to run as fast as possible to get hugged by Amma and to remember what it is like to feel and believe in their humanity once again and to realize that we are all connected to and with each other and that we are all in this space-boat together!

Amma’s Dream

“Everyone in the world should be able to sleep without fear, at least for one night. Everyone should be able to eat to his fill, at least for one day. There should be at least one day when hospitals see no one admitted due to violence. By doing selfless service for at least one day, everyone should help the poor and needy. It is Amma’s prayer that at least this small dream be realised.” -Mata Amritanandamayi Devi.

Peace is Free, Mr. John

www.camdenchronicles.com

To read more of John Gialuco’s blog posts log on to www.camdenchronicles.com

Artwork By Mikel Elam

Posted By Mikel Elam

I am getting sick and tired of the blatant attempt to undermine Barack Obama’s intelligence and leadership abilities. Basically he walked into a problem created by the previous administration. Everyone now expects him to solve every problem within one and a half years. I think it’s unfair and I know many will not be able to understand this next statement. Some of it is racially motivated. Probably coming from many who don’t think they are racist. It’s like the comment ,”I am not a racist, some of my best friends are black or latino etc, and yet these “friends” really aren’t so much in their lives.
The art represents Obama in a box. The box is getting smaller and smaller trying to squeeze the life out of him. People are taking shots at him. In this case it’s the splatter from paint balls.(I hope nothing worse ever happens) They take shots at him like comparing him to Hitler and calling him a communist, socialist……the list goes on.

Invisible One

So many forget he is a black and white president and he represents the face of real America in the 21st century. Not the confederate flag waving, wishing it would go back to the old days of whites getting to sit and Blacks standing in the back of the bus mentality.
Yes this country is in financial trouble. I am in financial trouble. So in fact I represent someone who should be angry with the status quo. However I recognize where the problems started and no one seems to be holding that person and their administration accountable for past actions.
Its an unfair practice. A selfish act of aggression without thought. Again this reminds me of the times when a person of color opened their mouth only to have a gun placed there to shut them up. Make them disappear.

Invisible Two

Recently I created a series of portraits .Men of color from around the world. I have entitled the series “Invisible” based somewhat on Ralph Ellison’s great novel,”The Invisible Man” who writes about living in a society where we co-exist with others who want us to stay away unless they need us for servitude.
Obama is a reminder to everyone we are not going back to the days of the settling fathers. And thankfully he is very visible.

Self Portrait With Handlebar Mustache

TW: When did you first realize you had a distinct eye for mens fashion?

KS: It began In High school, I was an Art Major, painter and sculptor. I wore black clothing covered in Gesso on purpose, very Jackson Pollock.

TW: Did the way your father dress for work and casual time impact your early view as to how men should approach the way they attire themselves?

KS: Yes my father dressed very well, he was a white collar man. This was the 70’s you had to look fly even for work. He also dressed for evening, Tux all the way. He is a 33 degree Mason so he had to come correct. He wore a wide variety of hats and cologne that made my eyes water, but he was always well groomed. He’s still a fly cat. Smooth like china silk. I love him for that.

Mississippi At the Crossroads: Photo By Kwaku Alston

TW: Who is your favorite menswear designer today?

KS: I like a bit of every one. I take designer sport coats and cut them below the pockets to crop the front of the jacket. I’ve just finished a Paul Smith sport coat. I’ll rock that today with Pink shoes. I’d also like to add, I only wear ROGER CHARLES NEW YORK, the shirt company I started with a partner in 2007.

TW: We met during the glory days at VIBE during the early 90’s…. How did your tenure there impact your approach to mens fashion as you moved forward with your career as fashion director for several other popular culture magazines, including DETAILS and GEAR?

KS: VIBE was my first real taste of artistic freedom. I could choose my calibrator’s like you my friend. We could test the boundaries of traditional American publishing, go on location and show beautiful nudes. The work was seamless in the context of VIBE. It allowed me to dream and make pictures I wanted to see in a magazine.

Mississippi: Photo By Kwaku Alston

TW: We have both shared the experience of working for the famous Guccione family. I for the father Bob senior. and you for the son Bob junior. What was it like to work for the son of the founder and publisher of Penthouse magazine?

KS: Bob junior is a true original thinker and thoughtful man. A great human being. I was lucky to be in his company and at all times I love him very much. When he writes his memoirs I’ll be first in line to buy the book. He has his place in the American history of publishing. SPIN Magazine stood alone as the voice of the late 70’s and early 80’s. It covered bands that couldn’t get arrested at the time. I could go on forever about Bob. I learned how to bring a product to market, communicate the vision and sell it to marketers. He had a great deal to do with who I am today.

TW: You are currently fashion director for ESPN the magazine. What is the most interesting fashion editorial you have published thus far?

KS: Every year we do a shoot called Kings For a Day. It features up and coming NFL Draft players. Young guys who enjoy the work I do. The other amazing shoot was with the Washington Capital Police posing as Secret Service agents protecting the President. It involved blue screen and great gray suits.

Photo By Albert Watson

Photo By Jody Ake

TW: What is your favorite mens fragrance?
KS: Tough one I have a very bad nose, due to years of allergies. I have worn Calvin Klein Obsession. I think I drained the bottle and never got a refill.
I may start to wear ODIN 04 as it is clean, light and natural.

Self Portrait With Beard

For Immediate Release

Posted By Jessica Moats

Introducing KONG Magazine

KONG Magazine is pleased to announce the launch of its inaugural issue on Friday, July 2, 2010. This bi-monthly magazine will be available both online and with a limited edition print version containing all the original artwork from the site. KONG Magazine is a sex and comedy publication that seeks to bring stimulating entertainment and art to women around the world.

Creative Director and Founder, Jessica Moats, uses her impressive background at publications such as New York-based Playgirl and BlackBook Magazines, to create a magazine that will fill the void in the current women’s interest market. KONG Magazine creates an interface were sexual interests coincide with cultural ones by offering the newest trends in music, art, foreplay, design, humor, comedy, politics, technical innovations (including vibrators and other sex gadgetry) and photography—the X-rated kind.

The first issue seamlessly blends the mission of KONG Magazine by entertaining, informing, and promoting collaborations between emerging artists and writers. Cover model, Greg Sestero of famed cult classic, The Room best exemplifies the magazines’ ability to effortlessly mix sex and comedy.

Please email press@kongmagazine.com for a press kit, interview requests, and additional information on the magazine or any of its subjects.

Chanel Ward: Masters Of Education

…….. As I entered the old stadium, it brought memories back of my childhood. My dad used to attend the Eagles games there and made countless hours of color video footage of the Penn relays during his film making days in the early 60’s. It was in those early movie frames, when my age was still in single digits that the majesty of the stadium became permanently embedded in my young psyche. Franklin Field as it was known then was one of the earliest examples of classic architecture that was innocently introduced to me by my father via his love of sports.

It wasn’t a sporting event that brought me there on this day.

It was the graduation of my daughter Chanel, with a Masters degree of Education about to be placed in her 22 year old hands. I looked all around trying to find the right place to prepare myself for the best possible photographic capture of this momentous occasion. I knew how important that moment was for Chanel, as well for all that have come to know and love her.

And then it came to me. I observed two large monitors, the kind you see at most sporting events these days, capture each student receiving that most important piece of paper, the diploma. I had a split second from the time her name was called to the moment I zeroed in on the huge screen, frame then trigger. It was a decisive moment that would be remembered for a life time, and I captured it! Congratulations to the Class of 2010.

T Govens

Posted by Gunsmoke

His name is T. Not Mr. T. Not T Bone. Just T. It might as well stand for Trainer, Toned, Tight, Trim or possibly even Terrific; because that’s what makes T something special. This personal trainer looks like an advertisement for a macho muscular magazine. But he’s so much more than mere appearances. Although his appearance is amazingly that of carved chocolate…beautifully carved chocolate to be sure.

“T” Thomas Govens is a native Philadelphian who left the area for a stint in California. Working a variety of jobs and seeing the world from Sunny Cal made him crave his roots. So he’s back in town. The trainer to the stars is now helping us ordinary people here in Philly get it together. Although his pecs and abs might imply only heavy duty basic training regime, he’s really sensitive to the needs of ordinary mortals. He understands the body and he’s in tune with what works. He can be seen at 7 am on a chilly morning putting his more energetic clients through squats and punches in Washington Square Park. Or, he might be in the home of a Rittenhouse Socialite pushing 60 with light weights and an intelligent workout that makes her look her Neiman Marcus best.

T says: “I love my job. It allows me to help people and to be creative in the process.”

He understands that it is not necessary to die an early death on exercise machines in order to maximize the body’s potential. This knowledge has allowed him to tailor training routines to the needs of the individual. It might be exercising in the park or using stairs and furniture in the home as aides to a great workout. He even tailored a training schedule to a frequent traveler by creating exercises that can be done in hotel rooms and in airport waiting areas. (So if you see a woman doing pushups on the steps, you’ll know T is behind it all.)

Making his clients’ look and feel their best is a personal goal. He leads by example. That’s obvious from his photo. His fierce physique belies his soft spoken manner. This is a first class gentleman who is making his mark on the Philly scene. See an amazing body; think of T. He’s probably the brains behind the beauty.