CHANGE

It's a new year and many folks start the new year by making a few resolutions. For some, there's the traditional resolution of loosing weight, quit smoking, earn their high school diploma, finish the college degree they started and the list goes on and on.

One of the hardest things about resolutions is that most people make them and within a few weeks they've given up and 'cashed in those chips'.

If you've made a resolution and are comfortable sharing it with the Worcester Is MAJOR! readers, we'd like you to post it in the comments section.

Major Taylor: "Positively Black"

WNBC-TV (Channel 4) New York featured 1899 world cycling champion Major Taylor in a segment broadcast on Nov. 24, 2007. More info: www.majortaylorassociation.org

Baller-in-Chief

It was only a matter of time and a Brooklyn, NY man is hoping to cash in on the Obama-mania taking place by creating the Obama basketball sneakers.




I don't know if I'd spend my hard earned dollars on these sneakers, but you can't Mitchell Rose's hustle. Now, I wonder if Obama will hit Mr. Rose with a Cease & Desist for using his name and likeness? That would be Baller for Real move.

Barack Obama x The Amazing Spider-Man Comic Book Release

With the Obama fever soon to hit a pinnacle next week, the President-elect and his childhood love of Marvel Comics resulted in the release of a special edition of The Amazing Spider-Man for issue #583. The comics storyline features attempts by the Chameleon to ruin Obama’s inauguration day only for Spider-Man to come in and save the day (no surprises there right?). The comic book was officially released on Wednesday, January 14th and largely sold-out however a massive amount have made their way to eBay.

Movie: Any Given Tuesday in Brooklyn

I love when people are inspired to GO HARD and do something that others said couldn't be done!

Take a look at this short film about The Vote 2008 and it's impact on Brooklyn, NY and, ultimately, the world.

To tell you a little bit about the film:

This documentary features interviews with voters outside the polls, Brooklyn residents in the street, as well as different representatives from the Brooklyn for Barack HQ in Bedford Stuyvesant and the Barack Phone Bank in Fort Greene. Exclusive images from the amazing Election block party that took place at New York's only South African restaurant Madiba will transport you on the scene and make you live (or relive) the explosive joy that took the streets by storm as the results were announced.

This short documentary is produced by Caid Productions and co-directed by Thierry Daher and Pierrot Colonna and distributed for free to the community, friends, family and business associates. It is our gift to the community and it will not be sold! It is for that reason that we decided to put it online for all to see and enjoy. We believe it is a small piece of American History and we're proud to have documented it on film.

Any Given Tuesday: In Brooklyn
Uploaded by anygiventuesday

NOLA Police Kill Young man

Adolph Grimes III, 22, was shot in the back 12 times and twice in the side, by undercover New Orleans (NOPD) police officers early on New Year’s Day.

Grimes traveled to his grandmother’s home near the French Quarter to celebrate New Year’s Eve with his fiancée and their 17-month-old son. Three hours after arrival, around 3 a.m., he was found dead a block from the front door.

Eddie Bauer: Keffiyeh Controversy?

Remember the big hoopla folks gave Rachael Ray for wearing a keffiyeh,
traditionally worn by Arab men, in the Dunkin' Donuts television
advertisements?

Well, look at the cover of the Eddie Bauer Spring 2009 catalogue and
you'll notice that the model is wearing a keffiyeh-like scarf.

Is EB going to catch heat for this?

WBUR: Ticketing A Child

I'm not sure if this would have worked back when I was growing up, but I have to wonder if this is teaching children to be responsible and accountable? What do you think?

Here & Now's Anthony Brooks speaks wtih Tom Barone of Wayland, Massachusetts, father of two and creator of "Ticket-A-Kid," a booklet of citations and fines, just like parking tickets. Parents can write up their kids' continuing infractions around the house; like not putting clothes away and leaving lights on. Barone says he's been using "Ticket-A-Kid" with great success in his household and now he's making the booklets available to the public.

Hat tip to WBUR 90.9 FM.

Hip Hop: Cassidy to perform in Worcester

Known in the world of Hip Hop as an "underground rapper" who saw success in 2004 with the album Split Personality, Cassidy is performing in Worcester on January 31, 2009.

The show is taking place Worcester State College(located at 486 Chandler Street, Worcester, MA) and doors open at 7 pm.

Opening the show is none other than Worcester's own, Baige O'Bannon. If you're not familiar with whom Baige O'Bannon is, I won't hold it against you for now, but remember the name because he's been putting in the work and his lyricism is amazing.


Tickets for the event are $20 and if you'd like tickets post a comment and I'll be sure to put you in contact with Baige directly.

On the wheels of steel are DJ Jack Frost, DJ Dimention, DJ Black Knight and DJ Turnament.

The OFFICIAL after-party is taking place at Canal Night Club, located at 90 Harding Street in Worcester.

Leave it to Google!

This is something that you'll want to have and use. I still remember when the telephone company charged me $1.50 to get a telephone number from 411!

Here's a number worth putting in your cell phone, or your home phone speed dial: 1-800-goog411.

This is an awesome service from Google, and it's free -- great when you are on the road. Don't waste your money on information calls and don't waste your time manually dialing the number. I am driving along in my car and I need to call the a sneaker boutique in New York City and I don't know the number. I hit the speed dial for information that I have programmed.

The voice at the other end says, "City & State." I say, "New York, New York."He says, "Business, Name or Type of Service." I say, Premium Laces NY." He says, "Connecting" and Pete at Premium Laces answers the phone. How great is that? This is nationwide and it is absolutely free!

Marvel Comics: Barack Obama x The Amazing Spider-Man

Photo courtesy of Marvel.com

As excitement builds over the upcoming inauguration of Barack Obama, the 44th President of United States, comic book giant Marvel Entertainment announced the launch of a very special edition to commemorate the occasion. Featuring one of Marvel’s most famous character, Spider-man (aka Peter Parker), the upcoming issue #583 of The Amazing Spider-Man will have the superhero thwarting the plans of his long-time nemesis, Chameleon, during a factious January 20th. Thus, saving Obama’s inauguration. The issue will also include a special cover with both men. According to Joe Quesada, the Editor-in-Chief at Marvel, the idea for the mash-up issue came about when they found out Obama was a fan of the title during his childhood. The Amazing Spider-Man Issue #583 goes on sale across the U.S. this coming Wednesday, January 14th.

Editor Note: Due to overwhelming demand after Marvel’s disclosure last week. The company has issue a second printing of the comic. The second printing will feature identical cover art by Phil Jimenez but in a different colorway (see the picture below).

Release Date: January 14th (Wednesday)

Photo courtesy of Marvel.com