Michael Jackson continues to make Historic moves

Even after death, Michael Jackson has made history for having the first music video placed into the Library of Congress this week(www.loc.gov/today/pr/2009/09-250.html).

Thriller became a preserved piece of art alongside other films that have been considered culturally, historically or aesthetically significant. On Wednesday it was chosen to be one out of 25 films chosen by the librarian of Congress, James H. Billington.

"By preserving the nation’s films, we safeguard a significant element of our cultural patrimony and history," Billington said.

Thriller, directed and co-written by John Landis, caused such a buzz that it was also released in 35mm film. The Library of Congress gives it credit for revolutionizing the music industry with its lavish and expensive production.

"This video was not just a music video it was considered a short film. It provided a storyline which allowed the writer to express his interpretation of the song," said long time fan, Sara Marcus, who remembers the moment the video was premiered on cable TV.

Other films registered include 1979’s “The Muppet Movie” and 1957’s sci-fi classic, "The Incredible Shrinking Man."

WHITE HOUSE CALLS FOR STRICTER AIRLINE SECURITY

The White House ( www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/statement-president-attempted-attack-christmas-day-and-recent-violence-iran ) has announced that stricter security measures will be quickly imposed on airline travel after an attempted act of terrorism occurred on Northwest Airline flight 253, landing in Detroit. The plane was at least 20 minutes way from the airport when a Nigerian man claiming to be an agent for al-Qaida, tried to detonate an explosive device on Christmas day 2009. He has since been identified as, Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab. Francesca Harper has traveled in the Dulles and LAX International airports and believes that airports should carry the same amount of strict security.

“They don't search carry-on bags that much... I had an eyebrow plucker tool and it’s really sharp and similar to a razor and I took it right on the plane...LAX is a lot less strict,” Harper said.

It is still unknown what the stricter security measures will include ( www.news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_airliner_disturbance).

Snow Storm 2009

Many people throughout the DC Metropolitan area have found themselves either stuck inside their homes or risking their safety by venturing outside into what has been declared the snowiest December snow storm ever in the area.


It may not be officially the first day of winter until Monday, but beginning Friday evening the snow began to fall. With over an inch of snow falling every hour, Washington, DC has seen about 16.4 inches of snow, the most to fall in the area, while Virginia has seen the most of the snow fall. In Stafford, Va over 24 inches of snow has fallen.

Michel Cline, the State Coordinator for the VA Department of Emergency Management, has stated that hundreds of vehicles have been abandoned or stuck on the roads. This is why Virginia Department of Transportation has released a statement that, “No one should drive unless absolutely necessary” (www.virginiadot.org/news/resources/Statewide/vdem_release_12.19.09.pdf ).

With over 3,000 incidents on the roads, many in Northern Va, The big storm has also forced the Virginia National Guard and Virginia state police to assist local governments to evacuate stranded motorists and to shut down ramps along Interstate-95 and Interstate-495.

DC has been relaying the message of staying off the roads as well, as Mayor Adrian M. Fenty declared it to be in a snow emergency.

“It is imperative people stay off the roadways so our crews can get their work done,” said Mayor Fenty, as his Department of Transportation and Department of Public works continues to work on treating and clearing residential and major streets.

Because of the hazardous conditions Metro bus was forced to discontinue service at 12:30 pm on Saturday to start up again on Sunday, two hours late at 9:00am. Metro rail became the most effective mode of transportation although it did discontinue its above ground services (www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=4198 ).

For those traveling elsewhere, all airports have been affected. Regan National airport has closed until 6:00am on Sunday, Dulles International airport has left one runway open, with most flights canceled and BWI has closed all runways and canceled all flights until further notice. It is important for those traveling into or out of the DC area to call their respective airlines to receive updated information on each flight to make alternative plans.

ICE!

It is like walking into an icebox. You see the fog exit your mouth and nose as you breathe, but the beauty is so breathtaking that you can not fathom leaving. It is all at the ICE! Attraction at National Harbor at Gaylord National Resort in Oxen Hill, Md. It is only a small part of Gaylord National’s host of events and attractions for their annual Christmas on the Potomac celebration, (www.ChristmasOnThePotomac.com)but it is one that is amazing to see.

“We brought in 2million pounds of ice and 40 hand carvers from Harbin, China,” said Public Relations Director, Amie Gorrell. “They took about 40 days to carve this indoor winter wonderland. It’s completely made of ice and there is 10 different scenes that you can walk through. It’s spectacular,” she continued.

The two million pounds of ice created ice carvings of famous national monuments. It also created a one of a kind winter ice forest with an ice bridge to walk across with an ice river underneath. It also included a full sized ice horse and sleigh that was open for people to sit and even pretend riding if they choose.


Walking through the extreme cold, one passes through a two story ice castle with four different ice slides to experience. There was also a Santa’s Toy Land, where presents are carved out of ice in addition to nutcrackers, elves hard at work and jolly St. Nick himself; a nativity scene carved out of crystal clear ice was on display featuring a 20 foot tall ice angel as well.


This environment was so cold that parkas were given for extra protection. But that did not stop Bishop Larry Brandon, visiting from Shreveport, La to take a stroll around.


“There’re several around here that are just wonderful. I love animals and the polar bears, that look, that’s great but the sleigh is my most favorite because again, the time, the attention to detail… all of it. It’s just awesome and the artists are just wonderful,” Brandon said like a child in excitement.

This is Gaylord National’s first year hosting this attraction and it will continue until January 10, 2010.

Men of Style

Taliah Graves

The 2009 Gillette Fusion MVP Prime Time Tour, sponsored by Gillette and rollingout.com arrived to the DC area this week. This is a 19 city tour that came through to the DC area to spread style to 19 urban cities. In Forestville, MD at Cuts Unlimited Barber shop the event opened up to Maryland residents. Students and residents of the DC and Maryland area were invited to learn how to live in their style and keep their style turned on high. It began with the “Men of Style” program hosted by Student Activities and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

In the Blackburn Center, a panel of three gave advice to the many men in the audience waiting to show off their own creative style. Miss DC USA 2009, Nicole White, Rolling Out Magazine’s owner Randy Fling, and DeAngelo Redman, R&B vocalist, songwriter and actor of Bad Boy Records were the panelists. Even though host Fonzworth Bentley was in Belize at the time of the event, he left a message saying that he and his style is there in spirit, even when he is not. The present panelists encouraged both men and women to always be ready because they never know who they may meet.

As the only woman on the panel, Nicole White gave an important piece of advice as to why both men and women alike should make sure they’re always well groomed,

“You never know who you’re going to meet. You never know who’s coming to your campus; you never know if that guy on the elevator who you’re going to see might be the person that’s going to offer you a job.”

Randy Fling also spoke adamantly on the topic in terms of being a “test.”

“You should wake up every day ready for the test. The test is going on all the time. It about how you look, how you talk, it’s not just about what you know,” Randy Fling adamantly expressed.

“They might hold something good for your future (and)they may just decide not to talk to you because of your style,” he continued.

Panelist DeAngelo Redman expressed how style is a big part of an entertainer’s life and that even though Howard University seems to be “on point” as far as style goes, it is he would suggest another form of grooming aside from shaves and haircuts.

“Don’t think I’m funny but I get manicures,” Redman reveled in laughter.

He later voiced that, “You have to have confidence and integrity about yourself”

From a student perspective, Justin Askew stated his ambitions and why he dressed in a suit and tie to the event.

“What I do is straight forward and to the point,” Askew explained in very few words.

Following this portion of the events, later that night, in Forestville, Md, actress, Vivica A. Fox and the panelists joined the barbershop team at Cuts Unlimited where free professional shaves and cuts, barber and dermatologist advice on sensitive skin and reducing razor bumps, music, professional massages and food were offered to students and all people in the community.

One student felt that it was a little out of the way, yet nice for males.

“It was fun… the environment could have been a little more laid back. It was good if you were a male because it was free pampering, (but) it was out of the way to get there. The location could have been better,” stated Jadine Joesph.

But overall, according to attendees, it was a success.

“It was good. There was good food and there were a lot of people and it was crowded, said Ako Boyd.“

The next and last city that the MVP Experience tour is to be is Atlanta on Wednesday December 9.

For more information, visit www.rollingout.com and pick up a copy of their magazine in the Blackburn Center.