SALIMAH'S CLOSET IS NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS!!!

I APOLOGIZE EVERYONE FOR TAKING SUCH A LONG BREAK FROM THE BLOG! I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT MY LATEST ENDEAVOR THAT I'M GOING TO WRITE IT IN CAPS!

ON NOVEMBER 21, 2007 MY FAMILY & I OPENED UP A WELLNESS SPECIALTY SHOPPE DOWNTOWN TOLEDO, OHIO. IT IS CALLED SALIMAH'S CLOSET (NAMED AFTER MY DAUGHTER) AND WE SELL A LTTTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING. OILS, INCENSE, NONI JUICE, SOAPS & COLON CLEANSERS, ARE JUST SOME OF THE MANY WONDERFUL ITEMS WE CARRY. WE ALSO A SPECIAL SELECTION OF BABY CLOTHES FROM NEWBORN SIZES TO 3T. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN COMING BY THE SHOPPE, THE ADDRESS IS 316 N. MICHIGAN ST. STE. #414, TOLEDO, OH 43624. BUSINESS HOURS AR MON.-FRI. 11PM-6PM, SAT. 12-7PM & CLOSED ON SUNDAY. YOU CAN CALL US AT 419.243.5977 TO SCHEDULE A SHOPPING OR NATURAL HEALTH COUNSELING APPOINTMENT. YOU CAN EVEN REQUEST OUR CATALOG BY EMAILING MONIQUE@PROMOWHOLISTICS.COM WITH THE SUBJECT 'CATALOG'. ON BEHALF OF MY FAMILY I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS, LOVE & SUPPORT! WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN SALIMAH'S CLOSET SOON!

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Making The Band 4 Comes to Toledo: The Good Bad Boys & Defnitely Not Ugly Part II

The Interview

By: Monique Ward 10/7/07

It was 2pm Sunday afternoon when I called Diva Restaurant to find out what I needed to do for an event I had coming up. Charles, the manager, answered the phone and said that he couldn't talk because he was hosting a party. When I asked him what the party was being held for, he politely reminded me what I was told the day before; it was a press release for the gentlemen of MTV’s Making the Band 4. I then asked him if any African-American journalist or newspaper was in attendance and when I got a quiet "No," I agreed to come as a representative on behalf of my community.

Now before I get to what actually happened when I walked into Diva, let me first explain that I originally went just to interview the person who put the event together. You see, the mastermind behind their appearance, Philana Marie Boles, brought them in town for a good cause. She is a prime example of what I eventually aspire to be as a journalist, publicist and author.

I get there and The Band is relaxing at the bar with their security guards and managers. Boles was talking to Charles by the bar and I greeted them after their conversation. Philana informed me that they would have to leave soon after because they had to catch a flight soon. After carefully thought-out planning and organization they were ready for a quick interview. It is an honor and a privilege to start of my column, interviewing such fine people. So ladies & gentlemen, here is the long-awaited and highly anticipated interview with publicist Philana Marie Boles aka The Diva and the fine guys of Making the Band 4. Enjoy!

Pozativ ProMo: "What made you decide to bring The Band to Toledo?"

Philana: "Well I feel that this group is a legend already and of course I wanted to bring them here for something good.”

Pozativ ProMo: “Who did you collaborate from the Red Cross to make this happen?”

Philana: “Judy Cantwell from the Hancock County Red Cross to benefit North Central Ohio Flood Relief”.

Pozativ ProMo: “Who came to pick up the donation and how did they feel about your contribution”?

Philana: "Right before you arrived two representatives came on before of the Red Cross and picked up a check for a modest amount which they were extremely pleased about."

Pozativ ProMo: "That is great!" was my last response before I walked outside to speak to band members, Will, Brian & Mike in front of the restaurant.

Robert and Que were somewhere else so I just started interviewing them first. The 3 of them greeted me with warm smiles and playful banter before I ask them as them the first question.

Pozativ ProMo: "Philana (I gestured to her because she was standing next to us), called you guys a legend. How do you all feel about such an amazing comment?"

Will: (Brian & Que all nod and agreed in unison) “It’s the truth!”

Pozativ ProMo: “What made you all decide to come to Toledo for this cause?”

Brian: “It was kind of close to home for me. I’m from Houston and have family from New Orleans. I remember the flood in Texas and how no one would help us.”

Will: “We have a people mentality, anything we can do to help people, we do.”

Pozativ ProMo: “You all are obviously real people who care about the world.”

Will, Mike & Brian: “Definitely!”

Pozativ ProMo: “Now going a bit off topic, I have a specific question for Mike. During your time on the show, P. Diddy kept saying that you needed to lose weight. As a health counselor I found it very interesting that he would feel so strongly about your weight as it pertains to your health. I wanted to know how you felt about that comment especially since it was said by P. Diddy himself.”

Mike: “Well it didn’t really hurt my feelings or anything because like I said on the show (Mike gives me a big grin while Brian & Will chime in) No matter how much I weigh, I’m sexy anyway.”

Pozativ ProMo: “I laugh because Mike is serious about that statement and to his credit he has lost 50 pounds during his time on the show. This means he is making an effort and not just running off at that mouth.”

After chatting some more, I ask where Robert & Que are. They let me know that Robert is inside the restaurant and Que is in the car so I go inside to find Robert. I see him sitting at the bar wearing a stylish black shirt with colorful designs painted on it. He gives me a big, handsome grin and I begin to ask him questions.

Pozativ ProMo: “I don’t know if you believe in the zodiac but I want to know, what is your sun sign? You are probably the most laid back one in the group even though you definitely have a Leo shine about you.”

Robert: (He laugh at my comment) “I’m a Virgo and my birthday is September 23 so it just recently past.”

Pozativ ProMo: “Alright so you are definitely a detailed person with great style. What do you attribute your unique fashion sense to?”

Robert: “It’s my D-Boy Swagger. I’m from Detroit and I used to model also.”

Pozativ ProMo: “Really, for who?”

Robert: “Pelle Pelle, Jibaud and Dada to name a few.”

Pozativ ProMo: “Wow, big name brand companies. I’m assuming that you like to model. Would you model again in the future?”

Robert: “For sure! I love modeling. If you got any shows coming up let me know.”

Pozativ ProMo: “Sounds good to me. Now this question is for the fans, do you have any secrets you would like to share with us?

Ladies I lie to you not, after I asked the question, he pulled me in close to answer.

Robert: (He puts both of his hands to his mouth and whispers) “I’m single now.”

Pozativ ProMo: “I’m sure my female readers wanted to know that. Well Robert, it was very nice talking to you. I see Que coming in so now so it’s his turn.”

Robert: “Nice talking to you too.”

Que: (Que pulls up a bar chair next to me and offers me a polite apology) “Sorry I’m late. What questions you got for me?”

Pozativ ProMo: “Well first off Que, happy belated birthday! Your birthday was yesterday and you turned 19 years old. If you could have been with anyone else in the world on your birthday, who would it be?”

Que: “Thanks. If I could have been with anyone else in the world, I would have been with chillin’ Beyonce but don’t tell Jay-Z”.

Pozativ ProMo: (He starts laughing and I laugh with him) “Don’t worry, I won’t tell Jay on you.”

Que: “Of course, I can’t forget my family”.

Pozative ProMo: “No, you can’t forget them. Speaking of family, who raised this charming young man we call Que.”

Que: “My mom raised me because my father passed away when I was 4 years old.”

Pozativ ProMo: “That is unfortunate to hear. If it means anything to you, your mother did a wonderful job.”

Que: “Thank you, I appreciate that.”

Pozativ ProMo: “Now Que, I asked Robert if he had any secrets to share and he gave me a juicy one. Do you have a secret you want your fans know about.”

Que: “My secret is, that I’m not as good as people try to portray me.”

Pozativ ProMo: “What do you mean? People like whom?”

Que: “You know like on the show. It looks like I’m good boy Que, when I’m not.”

Pozativ ProMo: (At that point I start grinning and had to tease him) “So you’re a Bad Boy then?”

Que: “Exactly.”

Well that about wraps up the MTB4 interview. Following Que’s comment I had to go and they were rushed off to catch their flight out of Toledo. I was left with a lot of memories of an exciting weekend. Being around Will, Mike, Brian, Robert & Que for only 1 day, showed me how great some stars can be. I know that they are wonderful people who came to support a good cause.

Thank you Philana for bringing these wonderfuls artists here and I hope you continue to bring unique and inspiring events.

Their act of kindness is a small testament to the fact that some celebrities do have souls; it’s just that the media tends not to show that side. That is part of the reason why I became a journalist, to give you (the public) a new perspective on misunderstood concepts. It can be hard at times but someone has to do it! Part I will be printed in Toledo's The Truth paper 10/10/07 or you you can check it out at http://www.thetruthtoledo.com/ when it comes out this week.

Stay tuned for my next literary adventure. Until then this is Pozativ ProMo signing off. You have just experience Tha Knewz: Information for Generation X.

Coming 10/7/07...MTB4 in Toledo: The Good, Bad Boys & Definitely Not Ugly

I want to thank all of you who have supported me on this new found path by sending all the encouraging emails. For those of you who can hardly wait until this Sunday to get the scoop...
I did land the interview with the band and the party who sponsored their weekend appearance! The only issue now is to compress 2 days worth of a story into one concise yet interesting article. I may break the story up into 3 parts because I was up from 4am Saturday to 4am Sunday! I trailed them to 4 different venues (The next day I heard the band called me hungry and I definitely was to get this interview for ya'll)! By this weekend I should have Tha Knewz for you. Until then this is your host Pozativ ProMo signing off.

Welcome to Tha Knewz!!!

Hey friends, this is your hostess Monique aka Pozativ ProMo! I'm blogging for the first time off of myspace everybody! I strongly encourage anyone to pick up a pen every once in a while but if for some reason that's not your thing, start a blog! If you're a myspace member than you probably already have one (feel free to go to www.myspace.com/pozativpromo and check out mine or send me a friend request).

Now back to the main reason why we're here...'Tha Knewz' aka The information highway for Generation X. This blog is your #1 resource center for the fun, fashionable, important and simply outrageous stories that you'll find on the web! I know this because I've searched high & low for a source that I could find progressive info that we care about. After a long journey, I decided to end my search and hence 'Tha Knewz' was born (No offense to good media outlets).

So now it's time to find me to find the first story to get the ball rolling. I'm sure there is something interesting out there somewhere that you beautiful people want to know about. It is my duty to find it, write about and have you all on your computers lined up for the next post!

Just so you know I just found out the fine guys from Making the Band 4 are in town this weekend as part of a fundraiser for the Findlay Flood victims. It was coordinated by Ahluve Consulting in collaboration with the Findlay Red Cross. They will be all over the city of Toledo, Ohio from the Maumee Indoor Theatre for a charity event called Dancing FOR the Stars to an 'adult-only' fundraiser at Space 237 downtown.

I definitely will get out to support this great cause. Who knows, I may even be able to land an interview for the fans...we'll see. Until next time this is Pozativ Promo signing off. Peace!

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