philadelphia link

spins top 40 hits and hip-hop
therefore, one can enjoy a diverse crowd to mingle with,
while watching the beautiful gogo dancers illuminate the night.
Must say one of the best Upscale lounges in Philly.
By Eshe Roberson, Editor &
Chief
Vango: known for their rooftop
deck and lounge Vango is
blessed with a fantastic rooftop
view, of the city, creating an
upscale feel for guest. the club
itself is a great experience
along with the recessed lighting
and decorative vodka bottles,
the upscale vibe and diverse
crowd is very alluring. Although
the drinks are somewhat expensive, having no cover
charge makes up for it. Vango
is a semi casual venue which
caters to its diverse crowd spinning Hip-Hop, and a mix of
Pop, and is known to have the
best mid-week parties every
Wednesday.
Adesso: is an intimate venue
just above Philadelphia's premier restaurant Il Portico. With a
sophisticated yet trendy interior
design, Adesso appeals to the
urban Hip-Hop culture. The
best nights to enjoy the venue
are Fridays and Saturdays and
the cover ranges from $10-$20
depending on the event. At
Adesso’s full bar the drinks are
moderately priced and by having the option to create your
own VIP section, this is a great
place for groups to enjoy. With
great lighting, generous sized
dance floor, and strict dress
code the two story club has a
cool ambiance.
G -Lounge: is known in the city
to be one of the top places to
be if you are in the fashion or
entertainment industry period. If
you want to meet people who
are working the city’s industry
this is the place to be. With its
occasional celebrity guests, gLounge is a trendy, upscale
venue with a affordable cover
of $10. The intimate lounge
the party gets wild. Great go to
spot if you're unsure of where
to go.
Marmount: is a steakhouse
and bar not only provides a
wonderful dining experience
located right on market st, but
Bleu Martini : The name itself, provides a quaint nightlife sce“Bleu Martini” has a Sexy yet
ne. The Dj Spins a mixture
upscale aura, attracting young of hip-hop and a mix of urban
professional of a diverse crowd. tunes more of a lounge type of
Being one of the Hottest spots seen, if one isn't looking for a
in Old City, Blue Martini has
crazy night. There's no Cover
sexy bartenders and of course and Drink specials readily availsignature martinis, such as the able for you to enjoy your night
delicious “peach martini” to go out in town.
along withe the great food that
is available. After Happy hour Encore: “A New Element of
a cover charge is applied as the Night Life enters Olde City”, this
bar/restaurant converts to a
is the description Encore gives
trendy and upscale club. The
about its nightlife scene. This
dress code becomes strict and Techno /pop atmosphere has
the bouncers become very
discounted VIP Bottle service
alert. The music is mostly hip- available to really get your night
hop, but the environment is
started. If you don't want to be
nothing but sexy!
a superstar that fine too. Encore has no cover and great
Mint : The Trendy dub-step
drink specials! The $30 open
lounge/club is an intimate ven- bar till 11pm on Fridays and
ue with a pop type of vibe. The Saturdays is a great deal in the
crowd is diverse however,
eyes of many. Although Encore
seems to attract those of the
is not a huge venue, it serves
Asian Persuasion, but nonethe- its purpose and allows one to
less the party always pops! If
enjoy the night.
your into the tight crowded type
of party with the bass booming Recess: The very Exclusive
all night this is your spot!. With Recess is almost like a memgreat drink specials, and no
bers only type of venue. Seemcover you just might find some- ingly hidden in a corner of Olde
one throwing ones in the air, as
City, Recess is Philadelphia's
most exclusive Nightlife venue.
Not only is there a $20 cover,
and strict dress code, but not
just anyone is granted access. Recess has an upscale
yet diverse crowd, great for partying and socializing over expensive drinks.
Lucys: is a great party for the
college crowd, walking into the
venue, you almost feel like you
walked into a frat house. Lucy's
party is always packed form
the lounge area in the front to
the dance floor in the back. The
drinks are reasonable as well
as the$5-$10 cover charge.
The dress code is relaxed
which creates a wild party scene as party goers dance to Top
40 hits.
Luxe Lounge: The name says
it all, “Luxe Lounge” , creates a
luxurious urban atmosphere,
with its trendy decor and perfect lighting. Luxe is just that a
lounge for the Grown and Sexy
to enjoy each others company.
On the right night a celebrity
guest just might be in attendance. The Luxurious vibe
comes with a $20 cover and
strict dress code, however if
your grown and sexy that
shouldn't be a problem.
Reef Lounge: The sexy Carib-
bean feel of the reef lounge on
south street, has a great island
style decor , music and cuisine
one can almost imagine being
on vacation and partying at a
local Caribbean club. The closest thing to a dance club on
south street, the Reef Lounge
is a casual venue. The drinks
are moderately priced for its
location, and there is nothing
but good vibe.
the bar networking over expensive yet, well made drinks.
Danc-ing to current hits on the
dance floor surround by the VIP
area, enjoying ones self is not
hard. With a $20 cover charge
and reduce admis-sion as final
call approaches, Aura attracts
young professionals ranging in
age from 21-30 years of age
ready to party and network.
Overall if a bottle popping,
trendy, VH1 type of scene is
what you enjoy, Aura is the
place to be..
Azure: This very popular and
fairly new club is located on
south st, attracts a trendy urban
crowd. There’s a $20 cover for Trilogy Night Club the Party doesn't stop until 3am. With
what used to be Fiso’s for
those who may not know. This its decadent Egyptian themed
venue has a multiple levels
which includes a rooftop lounge
area and bar. Azure is the kind
of club you would see in music
videos, great lighting, bottle
service, thriving party and stylish people.
.tatus: night club is a new
hotspot to check out. What
used to be Transit, Status took
this venue to a new level! The
multiple levels and vip bars provided a trendy upscale atmosphere. Dress code is fashionable and drinks are reasonably
priced. The right night a celebrity guest may be in attendance.
The cover is somewhat expensive, the service and atmosphere is worth it.
Sapphire: A more mature scene for Main street, Sapphire is
an intimate venue great for
having a drink, or enjoying the
cuisine. The Nightlife scene for
Sapphire, stays pretty much the
same, the crowd is a more mature group of adult professionals. There is no cover, the
drinks are moderately priced
and the Dj spins a great mixture of top 40 hits, hip hop and
even latin music.
Aura: The very professional
and welcoming owner of Aura.
He has created for Philadelphians a trendy venue that portrays a New York City type of
Party experience. There are
two floors to enjoy at Aura, a
lounge area with a full service
bar as one enters the venue.
Then just up the stairs one enters a thriving party flooded
with club goers surrounded by
lounge, multiple levels and
bars, its a great place for the 25
-30 year old crowd to enjoy a
night out. Not being extremely
upscale its an affordable night
out, due to the $15 cover
charge and drink specials for
only $3.00 until midnight. The
Staff at Trilogy are very friendly
and the Bartenders are very
generous and catering. Not only are there three floors to enjoy, to keep with the ancient
Egypt theme, Trilogy provides
their guest with hookahs to add
to the experience. Relaxing
with a drink and a hookah, one
can imagine being ancient
Egyptian royalty themselves.
Being an inner city venue the
crowd is diverse and the DJs
know how to keep everyone on
the dance floor, while guest
watch themselves dance on the
flat screens at the Bar. To go
along with the great atmosphere, the convenience of off
the street parking made it easy
to quickly get inside to en-joy
the club. Also allowing one to
avoid paying parking lot fees.
Enjoying a safe and stress free
night is possible at Trilogy, due
to the much aware security and
walk through metal detectors
that ensure even greater safety.
Detroit in Bankruptcy, Is This a troit’s business tax doubled! Im- Detroit, and I ask you, does this city council is now discussing
agine you’re paying 15% for
sound familiar? If you own a
using revenues from a oneMicrocosm of Philly?
2012 business tax and then
home in Philly over the last 2
percentage-point sales tax hike
By R.S. Broka – August 2013
years, your takes on average has in 2009 intended for schools to
paying 30% for 2013?
increased 9.9%. So if I paid
finance pensions. Its sale tax
As everyone in the United States So businesses and tax payers
$3,000 in property taxes in
rate is now 8%, the limit under
knows, Detroit is in bankruptcy. left Detroit for good reason.
2010, then in 2012 I would have state law. And just over the
Did we see this coming? After
Who’s left to pay the bills? A city paid $3,270
summer, Philly has laid off over
all, the taxpayer had to bail out of people, in which about 50%
3,000 employees of its school
GM and Chrysler to the sum of are functionally illiterate AND
Philadelphia is spending about district. So I guess it’s more imover $60 billion dollars. We all where its high school graduation 20% of its budget on pensions to portant to pay pensions than
have seen the photos of the
rate is only 65%. Also the mur- make up for years of shorthave our kids pay education.
abandon buildings, the broken der rate is at a 40 year high,
changing the system. In 1999, it
street lights, high taxes and loss and they only solve 10% of
issued $1.3 billion in bonds to Basically, we know Philly is not
of jobs. Detroit owes about $18 crimes committed in D-Town.
invest in the pension fund, but like Detroit. However, it is not
billion in debt and unfunded
Lastly, welfare spending has
it has paid more in interest than too far behind. Philly has a lot of
liabilities (1). The majority of
jumped 32%Now what company it has earned on its pension in- unfunded liabilities hence the
Detroit’s debt is accounted for is going to invest there?
vestments. Besides the property layoffs of Philadelphia School
by the city employee’s salaries
tax, the city has recently raised District employees. But we do
and pensions. Last year DeI am listing a few things about sales, and business taxes. The have a much viable economy
and great universities in the city
of brotherly love. And if anyone
has notice, many people are
moving from the suburbs to the
city. What does this mean? It
means that gentrification is happening in Philly, pushing the
“have nots” to certain parts of
the suburbs and outskirts of the
city. That’s when development
will occur in the center of the
city. Remember when Northern
Liberties was called North Philly
15 years ago? And have you ever
heard of Center City West? (one
day, we will wake up) It seems
like gentrification never happened in Detroit; it will happen
now while it’s in bankruptcy.
For more information about
your money, listen to “The Link
Up Show” Sunday’s from 6pm9pm where RS Broka gives a
segment on your money
www.streetlinkradio.com . Follow me @RawStreetBroka, for
free stock tips and other economic/financial information.
Never love the doe, Understand
the doe
Stefan Molyneux, “The Truth About Detroit’s Bankruptcy”, YouTube, July 25,
2013
The Wall Street Journal, Associated Press
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/detroitwhos-next-234500497.html July 21,
2013
(1)Unfunded Liabilities-The amount, at
any time, by which future payment obligations exceed the present value of funds
available to pay them.
al-
In today's society, so stuck on
trends, what's hot, who's doing
what and with whom , we fail
to acknowledge those who really put in work for our communities and not just gave a shout
out of the block the rep in a
song. Our inner city communities can produce much more
than corner boys and William
H. Gray was a living example of
this. Born in Baton Rouge Louisiana on Aug 20th 1941, Gray
moved to Philadelphia with his
family at the age of 8. Raised in
a inner city North Philadelphia
neighborhood, Gray attended
Gratz High school, and not
many would assume Gray
would be the man he had become or create the legacy he
has left.
At the age of 71, William H.
Gray passed away while in
London with his son, as tragic
as this is Gray did in fact make
an outstanding mark on not
only his city or country but the
world. Gray had an impressive
educational background attending Franklin and Marshall
he received a bachelor's degree
in 1963, a Masters of Art from
Drew Theological Seminary as
well as in Theology from
Princeton Theological Seminary. Serving as the pastor at
Bright Hope Baptist Church in
North Philadelphia for several
years, Gray was able to really
help build the community
through his preaching of the
word and charitable spirit. This
of which will be continued for
years to come, through the William H. Gray Jr. scholarship
program at his Alma Mater
Franklin & Marshall. The
scholarship program was established in 1990 to provide
aid to students from Southeastern Pa as well as F&M students. Over the years this have
lowed many students who otherwise may not have been able
to attend college receive the
education they deserve.
more than $23 billion dollars
for minority institutes and
managed a $40 million dollar
US Aid Grant for South Africa.
Some may say that William H.
Gray helped empower Black
Politicians, as he was the third
highest ranking Democrat in
the U.S House of Representatives from 1979- 1991. Gray
served as a mentor for many
such as, Chaka Fattah. Not
only was Gray a influence on
the city of Philadelphia, but as
the first African American in
recent history to become a majority figure of the U.S. House
of Representatives, Gray was
able to make a greater impact
on a much larger scale. As the
former President and CEO of
the United Negro College Fund,
Gray contributed to raising
William H. Gray to some was
one of the greatest figures in
the city of Philadelphia. Its time
to shed light on the positive
people and stories the city of
Philadelphia has to offer. William H. Gray was a man of
great generosity and influence
and his legacy and story needs
to be kept alive and celebrated.
By Eshe Roberson
[email protected]
PHILADELPHIA
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Philly holds a lot of great talent some praised and others not, we had a
chance to get to know one of Philly's artist that represents the heart of
Philly, the inner city struggle and the pride and of overcoming it. Reality
Childs has a strong reputation as one of Phillies Realest artists, with lyrics that come from the heart and speak to the soul, Reality Childs is not
here to entertain but to speak the truth.
Can you explain the story
behind your name?
“ Reality Comes from my body
of work and my personality,
it’s the way I carry myself.
When people hear my music
they automatically say, “he
speaks the real and come from
the heart.“ Childs comes from
my hard upbringing as a child.
The childhood pain has to show
when I’m making powerful music and I can never forget all the
obstacles I made it through as a
child. “
as an artist is the fact that I actually give you straight facts
with no gimmicks. Most artist
aren't themselves therefore they
start imitating the next artist
and you'll tend to see them fade
because you can only fake it for
so long. Another thing that
keeps me in my own lane is the
fact that I don't make moves or
music according to what people
wanna hear or what's played
on the radio I create off of my
pain and daily life situations. “
Who influenced your style?
“ My motivation is my Son
Quamir & my Daughter Dior.
I'm also influenced by my family and supporters who have
faith in me, I always came up
with the odds against me so
when one shows that they believe in me, it motivates me.
Last but not least the odds
that are against me provides a
heavy push, I love proving
people who doubt me
wrong, that's why I say "All
Bets On Childs". “
So, what are your thoughts
on the current state of the
game?
“ My thoughts of the game toWhat should we be looking
day are crazy, the type of music out for from you this year,
that I came up inspired by is
well the year is almost over
different and doesn't really inspire or have a message behind
it. It's just beats and bad lyrics.”
How do you feel about the
current state of the city of
Philadelphia?
“ I feel like the current state of
Philadelphia is in a state of
EMERGENCY due to the senseless street Violence and the
message that most rappers
push to the youth. Furthermore
it doesn't help the fact that their
shutting down schools, taking
opportunities from kids and jobs
from the community. I feel as if
they are telling kids that their
education isn't important and
not worth their own City to fight
for and invest in. OUR CITY IS
AN AUTHENTIC TRAP. “
How do you separate yourself
from other artists?
“ The thing that separates me
so next year perhaps?
“ I just put out an independent
album on ITUNES titled
"STRAIGHT FACTS NO GIMMICKS" that features my two
singles Rider and Back it
Up, which I currently have videos for on YouTube now. I also
will be featured in movies but
that's to be announced...”
Who do you want to work
with in the future?
“In the future I would love to
work with Lauren Hill. I say L
Hill, due to the fact she is one of
the most talented artist ever.
She also delivers some of the
most powerful messages in the
game and that's something that
I thrive off of. A GOOD MESSAGE.”
By Eshe Roberson
[email protected]
thing regarding the Trayvon
Martin case?
Photo Courtesy of Miles Roberts
B Ra: I’m here with Mr. Miles
Roberts. You do the Uptown
Memorial Cookout right?
Miles: Yes sir
B Ra: Now, I’ve lived in uptown
for about a decade now and
this is my first time hearing
about it. What sparked the Uptown Memorial Cookout?
Miles: In 2000 my brother,
Mark Roberts passed away and
it touched me deeply because
my closest of kin I had. Prior to
my brother passing, my mother
passed away in 1984. At the
time I was too young understand the meaning of death
and losing a loved one. When
he passed it was like a celebration and we started to cook out
in Temple Stadium, which is
now Enon Tabnacle Baptist
Church West. It started out
with one barbeque grill, under
a tree with 20 or 30 people
from the neighborhood. As
years passed I kept having the
cookout of the first week of the
August my brother passed
away. After the 6th year we decided to call it the Uptown Memorial Cookout and we started
having it at Aubury Park. Each
year it got bigger and bigger
and then I think in 2010 that’s
what started the biggest turnout. Now, to me it seems like a
national day in the Mt Airy,
Germantown, and West Oak
Lane neighborhood that we all
just get together and celebrate
peace.
Miles: It’s all positive. We are
linked up with a nonprofit organization Peace and Love,
which my man Herman Davis
runs. His sister was murdered
and that’s the inspiration behind him preaching in schools
about domestic violence. But
with us, we are trying to get
together a nonprofit organization just to do things in the
neighborhood. I coach football
and my man Kenny Bowling
cuts the hair of the young men
he mentors. So far, there’s
been no problem and we even
invite the neighbors in that area to the cookout because they
have a problem with the crowd
and overspill, but there’s nothing we can do about that. It’s
just that big. About 2,000
strong.
B Ra: This has been going on
since when?
Miles: Since 2000. A lot of people don’t know about it because
we don’t advertise it. The cookout gets around by word of
mouth or popularity. It’s definitely a positive event and kid
friendly. All types of people
show out and it’s about love.
We have a page on Facebook
“The Celebration of Life: Gone
but not Forgotten” that has the
pictures of everyone who’s
passed away and then we have
the Uptown Memorial Cookout
page. We do everything from
our own pockets. We come out
to celebrate a day of peace and
have a demonstration of positivity in the community.
B Ra: Ok, so there’s never been
anything negative, no fighting? B Ra: Are you going to do any-
Miles: No. It’s sad that this
young man lost his life, but we
want to keep this uptown. I’m
going to go with our legal system. They called it how they
wanted it and I’m not going racial, but we need to look in the
mirror and start with ourselves. We need to get out and
start voting, giving people
knowledge because that was
Florida’s voting, the stand your
ground law. They cannot do
anything, but look at themselves for that one. It’s a shame
that he died, but there are
thousands of Trayvon Martins
in Philadelphia, thousands of
George Zimmerman’s in city.
There’s black on black crime. I
don’t really get into that. I stay
to my circle and keep it moving.
B Ra: What kind of turnout are
you looking for?
That’s what I’m into. I’m into
being nice and helping the next
person. That’s what Coach
Miles is about.
Afterwards I was able to catch
up with Kenny Bowling and get
a quick question with him before
heading out.
B Ra: How did you get involved
with the Uptown Memorial
Cookout?
Kenny Bowling: Well, I was involved since day one. We were
younger his brother passed
away and I didn’t see what he
saw as far as the cookout was
concerned. I knew what his objective was, but I didn’t know
where his passion was. Even
after losing my brothers I still
didn’t see the passion in him
and what he was doing. All I
knew was that whatever he was
doing he was doing it by himself. He carried everything on
his own and I watched maybe
ten people turn into hundreds
of people. At that point he
pulled me in and I got involved.
Somehow the passion that
Miles had jumped on my back
and I just can’t stop it. Miles
will tell you it’s a memorial
cookout that somehow turned
into a family reunion where
everyone all over, and not just
in the city, come out. It’s a
beautiful thing. We are not
looking for recognition, but I
can honestly say, for Miles, our
community what he does is
huge.
Miles: I am looking for a great
turnout, one that is better than
last year and the year before
that. What I am not looking
forward to is everyone trying to
make a buck. Last year we had
people with water ice stands,
funnel cake trucks etc. We
spoke out to them saying you
can pay to vend and it’s no
problem. Any money we receive
does not go into our pockets; it
goes back into the budget for
the Uptown Memorial Cookout.
We are not asking for anything
crazy; 25 dollars, 30 dollars or
even 20 is all we are asking for. By B’Ra,
We are not asking for something crazy. If you can bring a
dish we accept that too.
B Ra: Beyond the cookout,
what else are you involved in?
Miles: I’ve been a football coach
for 15 years, I just started
coaching basketball at lawn
crest recreational center and
I’m involved with bettering myself as a person and as a father. I had a couple trials and
tribulations when I was little
and it’s hard to fix them. But
I’m trying and we all make mistakes. They say god forgives.
Hopefully, I can get over this
next obstacle I can be there for
my kids and for the people. If I
have it and you need it I’ll give
it to you I’ll give out free haircuts or advice, some old cloths.