Picture
Children don’t come with  directions! As a parent I am always looking to find out some of the latest news and information for
parents. When you think about it, we have so much to deal
with and  think about when it comes to our kids. Our children are exposed to and
have  their hands on so much more than when we were growing up.
Imagine my disappointment when I pick up the parent magazines and they have
  nothing to do with the people or families in my community.

My decision to create  a magazine like Los Angeles Black
Parent  Magazine
was inspired by something that  I
felt was lacking in our community. What about us? We have many issues  regarding
our children that should and need to be discussed. As a
parent, I can think of many things right off hand that I
would  like to know more about and I am sure you can as well.
 
The Los Angeles Black  Parent Magazine is
a magazine that  informs parents of all of the hidden
opportunities in the Los  Angeles community, regarding parenting, activities for
children, etc. My main  concern is that there is a gap in the community when it
comes to providing  parents of the beneficial businesses and educational
opportunities that could  help children thrive in their futures, as well as
information that could come in  handy for parents,
themselves. The magazine aims to provide  adequate resources; resources that may
have been otherwise hard to reach. We  utilize Our Facebook  Page to assist us in getting out quick valuable info.

There’s advertising space and the cost is much lower to advertise in Los Angeles Black Parent Magazine than other magazine websites who have just as  much traffic or even less traffic/views. I decided to make it easy and affordable to advertise. I am shocked to see how much some of the other magazines are charging. We are here to help our community and there are not too many people with small businesses that I know that can just pull out $1,000 or 
$2,000 to place an ad in a magazine.

Los Angeles Black Parent Magazine
 is a magazine dedicated to bringing  together the community and valuable
information. There are so many free events  in our community that would
significantly benefit our children and they are not  being taken advantage of.
At the beginning of the school year there was a back  to school health fair
where several parents in the community had  children under
the age of 12 who were diagnosed with diabetes. These are things  we need to
know. In the Los Angeles Black Parent Magazine you don’t have  to be a
celebrity, very well known or a reality TV star in order to be in our 
spotlight.

We want to know what’s really going on and who’s in the community and how you may be able to help us build stronger families. The magazine is for parents as well as everyone else. Take a look at the magazine here. Like us on Facebook
.
 


 


 

 
 
Picture
“Return of Ask Sharifah Radio,” an
exciting new radio show focusing on all things business and marketing. Sharifah Hardie is one of Blog Talk Radio’s featured radio show hosts. She returned to radio on Monday, January 7th, 2013 making her triumphant return interviewing some of today’s hottest celebrities. The show is now on every Monday at 9 am on www.AskSharifahRadio.com.

Sharifah Hardie of www. AskSharifah.com, a Professional
Business Consultant and Author of And Here’s Your Box: If One Door Closes,
Another Door Will Open has over 20 years of experience assisting business
owners with increasing their business. 
AskSharifahRadio.com provides a new discussion based format, engaging
celebrity guests and timely topics. A few of the most recent guests have
been Comedian and Actor Rodney Perry, Comedians The Mooney
Twins, The Re-Tweetable Man Eric Seats and Author & Talk Show
Host Rey Ybarra and Charlotte Clary discussing "The Shark Tank
Effect."

Having always been passionate about helping business
owners, every episode provides you with information on today's most relevant
business topics from creating your initial website to social network marketing;
from understanding website analytics to gauging search engine saturation and everything in between. Each one hour episode is unique with a range of guests to provide their expertise, wisdom, guidance and personal take on making it in
today's business atmosphere. 

Determined to help today’s business owners, Ask Sharifah
Radio's main focus is to provide business owners a safe environment to ask
questions and discuss what’s on their mind as they participate in the show’s
chat room while enjoying a show that’s providing expert advice. 
 
To enjoy a show live, visit: http://www.AskSharifahRadio.com and click on "Listen Live." Show Times:
Mondays 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PST. Contact Ask Sharifah Radio for guest information
and sponsorship opportunities at info@asksharifahradio.com. Become a fan of Sharifah @ http://www.facebook.com/ILikeSharifah follow Sharifah on twitter @ http://www.Twitter.com/ILikeSharifah

 
 
 
 
Picture
When you are meeting someone for the first time you should always, always smile, make eye contact and extend your right hand and give them a nice firm handshake with your hands connecting. If you are meeting new people or at a job interview be sure to make eye contact and smile. Proper manners are about making you and others feel at ease in social situations. You will also appear more confident and will be less likely to get embarrassed.

When you see someone you know or you have met before it is appropriate to smile or speak to them and say Hello. When you don't say anything that means you do not know them. Even if you don't know the person a smile won't hurt anyone.

An elegant woman is always aware of her certain facial expressions and how they can change her whole look. Body language is very important. It sends silent messages. A person may be able to guess how you are feeling or what you are thinking by your body language displayed. Noticing the signals people send out with their body language is a very useful social skill. An elegant woman refrains from harsh expressions and tries to keep a very passive expression at all times. If she feels like frowning she does not let it show. When she laughs it is not loud enough to let the whole world know she's having a good time.

Los Angeles Black Parent Magazine Staff

 
 
Picture
1. Place your napkin on your lap upon being seated at the table.

2. When seated use good posture, keep your elbows off the table and your free hand(the hand you are not eating with)on your lap.

3. Ask someone to pass an item that is across the table. It is never acceptable to reach across the table. Ask the person sitting closest to the item.

4. If someone asks you to pass the salt and pepper always remember they should be passed together as they are a pair that should never part.

5. Cut one or two piece of food, including meat such as steaks, at a time. Eat each piece before cutting another piece. Do not cut up all of your food into little pieces all over your plate as if you are preparing a toddler's plate.

6. Never make a negative comment about the food that is being served in someone's home. Never ask to take food from someone's home. It is okay to request a container or "doggy bag" in a restaurant.

7. When dining with others try to keep your pace. You should not finish long before or long after others you are dining with.

8. When excusing yourself to use the restroom always place your napkin in your chair to let the waiter know that you are away and will return. Also, try using the restroom upon arrival, before the meal or after the table is cleared.

9. Never move food from someone else's plate to your plate or take food off of someone else's plate. When sharing food always pass it on your bread plate.

10. You should never crumble crackers in your soup. Spoon your soup away from you and up to your mouth.
M. Shannon Etiquette Consulting


 
 
Picture
Thousands of supporters are protesting the production of a new reality show by signing an online petition. The show has been scheduled to be released in the Spring of 2013 on Oxygen TV. 

All My Babies' Mamas will focus on the life of Rapper Shawty-Lo, his 11 children and 10 baby mamas. The 36 year old rapper was 15 when his first child was born. Several of his children are the same age as his 19 year old girlfriend. 


A petition has been started by Sabrina Lamb of New York. The petition calls for the cancellation of the
new reality show about Rapper Shawty-Lo’s life, his children and all of his baby
mamas. Rapper Shawty-Lo allegedly has 10 baby mamas and 11 children.                 
The petition requesting the cancellation of the show has over 15,000 supporters. Supporters are visiting
change.org to sign the petition.


Although just about everyone has a reality show or two they may look forward
to watching or find entertaining we‘ve all witnessed something that may have
crossed our minds as inappropriate for TV.  When a show is created that exploits
and stereotypes our Black children and families it’s time for us to take a stand
to save our children from being influenced by another reality TV show.


As I look around our community at our youth, I can see the imitated behaviors
as well as the imitated fashions and styles of many of the reality TV stars.
Today, our children are already being exposed to a variety of what we were
brought up to perceive as inappropriate. Many parents have chosen to take a stand by
signing the petition, voicing their opinions on what our Black children are being
exposed to and how they are being treated on TV.

Los Angeles Black Parent Magazine Staff

What are your thoughts about the new reality show?


 
 
Picture
Here are some tips on uses for petroleum jelly. Isn't it funny how we can have something in our homes and not even realize how useful it really is?

  • Can be useful for adding shine to shoes and purses
  • Apply to Chapped Lips
  • Apply petroleum jelly under the nose to prevent pollen from entering the nose and preventing allergies
  • It protects wounds from moisture and bacteria
  • Apply to a squeaky door hinge to prevent door from squeaking
  • Use as a makeup remover
  • It contains no chemicals or perfumes so it can be used as a moisturizer for your body
  • Keep nuts, bolts and screws from rusting by applying before using
  • Apply around your nails before polishing to easily clean up mistakes
  • Apply to your feet as soon as you are done bathing or showering before the moisture on your skin evaporates for softer feet
Los Angeles Black Parent Magazine Staff


 
 
Picture
There are sooooo many uses for hydrogen peroxide, 1% - 3%. I just thought I would share a few of them with you. Once again,  isn't if funny how we can have this stuff in our medicine cabinet for years and only use it for one or two things and not knowing what else it can be used for?  Hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria, viruses and mold. It is also non-toxic and great to clean with.  It may take a little time to work. You will start seeing the fizz while it is killing the germs.  This is a great way to clean people with babies and people with weak immune systems around since it has no harmful chemicals. These are some of the things i've heard it can also be used for. You can take a look at this and do your own research to see where it will help you. Here we go....

  • Brighten laundry and remove stains in your laundry
  • Mouthwash
  • Sanitize your toothbrushes and dentures
  • Tooth whitener with a little baking soda on a toothbrush
  • Cleaning cuts and skin infections
  • Baths and Foot Baths
  • Plant spray
  • Treat acne
  • Kills mold
  • Clean and disinfect kitchens
  • Cleans toilets
  • Sanitizing or Disinfecting your hands
  • Cleaning the fridge
  • Kill fingernail and toenail fungus
  • Cleaning ears

 
 

Instead of making resolutions this New Year’s you should try making goals since you will be more likely to achieve them. Resolutions often fail and goals are more realistic. Many people make the same New Year’s Resolutions each year and end up with the same results. A couple of the top resolutions made every year is weight loss and to live healthier. Every year many people make resolutions of what they will try to do or try to avoid and they are usually forgotten after the following month or two.

As you sit and think back over the year what went right, what may not have or what you could have done differently you should also take time out to focus on your goals to prepare and move forward towards a greater more positive year. This year I am looking forward to the New Year and wondering what the New Year will bring. I must say, I have learned a lot in 2012. Every year when the New Year approaches it’s almost as if you will have a chance to wipe the board clean and start over.

It is important for us to have goals to aspire to and that is why it is important for us to create a plan of action to assist us in reaching our goals. I prefer to set goals instead of making resolutions. When I make my goals I write them down as if I’m writing a plan of action. I also include my dates or deadlines of when I want to accomplish them if they are not ongoing goals. I post them somewhere where I will see them everyday as a constant reminder of what I want to accomplish. It will help keep you focused and moving in the right direction when you see them everyday. Have you written your goals? 

Everyday ordinary people who dream big dreams achieve their goals. You may have had people react negatively to your goals or dreams. You may have heard that you are dreaming too big or that you will never get what you want. Like someone really knows what’s best for you. These dream killers come in many shapes, sizes, forms or fashions from your closest family members to your best friends.

Here are a few examples of success stories:

Michael Jordan – Most people know this great athlete went on to become arguably the best basketball player of all time. He was cut from the high school basketball team and he cried.


Oprah Winfrey - Most people know Oprah as one of the richest and most successful women in the world. Oprah faced a hard road to get to that position, enduring a rough and often abusive childhood as well as numerous career setbacks including being fired from her job as a television reporter because she was told that she was “unfit for TV.”


Walt Disney – He was fired by a newspaper editor because; “he lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” Disney then started a number of businesses that didn’t last too long and ended with bankruptcy and failure. He eventually found his success when he got financing to create hugely successful theme parks and movies. Today he continues to bring in billions from his merchandise, movies and theme parks around the world.

 

J.K. RowlingShe was struggling financially for a number of years while raising her child alone. She was living on welfare, severely depressed, divorced and trying to attend school. She wrote all of the Harry Potter books and now she’s one of the richest people in the world. It only took her five years to accomplish this through her hard work and determination. 


Sidney Poitier – Poitier was told by the casting director after his first audition, “Why don’t you stop wasting people’s time and go out and become a dishwasher or something?” Poitier  wanted to show him that he could make it, going on to win an Oscar and becoming one of the most admired actors in the business. 

Colonel Sanders – The founder of KFC started his dream at 65 years old! He got his social security check for $105 and was very upset about it. He put on his white suit and drove around knocking on doors and sleeping in his car. He had a hard time selling his famous chicken recipe. It was rejected 1,009 times before a restaurant accepted it.