Black Enterprise articles from September 2007

Black Enterprise archives from September 2007

Franchisee stumbling blocks.(WEB FEATURES)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Find out about the fine print that stumped some of our franchise owners. Successful owners share tales of the blunders they faced and how they dealt with them. The list goes from getting financing to paying franchise fees. Before you put...

News with a perspective.(WEB FEATURES)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Visit BlackEnterprise.com for insightful weekly columns. Editor-at Large Sakina Spruell answers visitor's questions about building wealth in her personal finance column. Hollywood insider George Alexander keeps readers abreast of the business...

Declaring war on mediocrity.(publisher's page)
September 1, 2007... Not so long ago, blackparents drilled into their children the importance of pursuing excellence, doing one's best, as a key weapon in overcoming economic disadvantage, social inequities, injustice, and discrimination. We were taught that as...

Taking care of business.(About This Issue)
September 1, 2007... Our September issue traditionally names the Corporate Executive of the Year; this year we highlight the accomplishments of Don Thompson, president of McDonald's USA, who turned business around for the quick-service restaurant giant, showing us...

Top cities criteria lacking.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2007... I think that the "Top 10 Cities for African Americans," (May 2007) was less valuable without the element of religion. We all know that, as a culture, God is foremost in many of our lives. So leaving out cities that have a good base of black...

Cities info for all.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2007... THE PERSONAL STORIES FROM VARIOUS FAMILY sizes and ages (in "Top 10 Cities for African Americans," May 2007) were an invitation to all. The information given will help African Americans become more aware of their environment and its...

Encouraged through a transition.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2007... I JUST GOT MY MAY ISSUE OF BE AND I AM SO APPRECIATIVE and inspired. Right now, I am at a low point financially, yet I am still excited and eager to get back on my feet. Currently, I am on a layoff status and receiving unemployment benefits....

Investing in us.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2007... MR. GRAVES, YOUR CALL TO TAKE BACK OUR RACE (Publisher's Page, June 2007) can be accomplished by building the black economy. We can build the black economy by pooling our money into an investment corporation. Let's use our ability and influence...

An honorable profession.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2007... As I read "25 Things You Need to Know" in the June 2007 issue, I came across an item that made me want to point out something BE editors and readers should know. In the item about tipping, the term "masseuse" was used. Most professionals who...

Inside knowledge.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2007... WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY IT WAS TO READ YOUR COVER PIECE, "BOB Johnson's Second Act," in the June 2007 issue. It was an honor to learn the thoughts of a billionaire who is also a black man. I would like to commend Executive Editor Derek T....

Inspired gratitude.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2007... I HAVE BEEN A LONGTIME subscriber, and your June 2007 issue has reaffirmed why this is so. Your feature on serial entrepreneur and billionaire mogul Robert L. Johnson, who has been my sole inspiration throughout my years as an aspiring...

Bad wealth? No wealth.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2007... AS I QUIETLY BEGAN TO READ THE Publisher's Page in the July issue (Choose Wealth, Choose Health, For Life) a broad smile began to form on my face. I agree with Mr. Graves 100%. I have encountered many business owners that have spent more money...

Hell or paradise?(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2007... I WAS DISMAYED TO BEAD JUAN GRAY'S response trashing your article identifying Jacksonville, Florida, as a great city for African Americans (Letters, August 2007). It is no small wonder that his civil rights organization gets no respect since...

African Americans near and far.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2007... I HAVE BEEN READING BLACK ENTERPRISE off and on for 20 years and enjoy the many positive stories about African Americans. However, I have a special request. There are very few stories about successful African Americans who live in Washington...

Correction.(Correction notice)
September 1, 2007... In "Host Stocks, Cool Prices," (Moneywise, August 2007), the ticker symbol for the Profit Fund is incorrect. The correct ticker symbol is PVALX.

Fight over school segregation intensifies: new Supreme Court integration ruling another blow to 1954 Brown ruling.(WASHINGTON REPORT)
September 1, 2007... IN JUNE, IN A RULING THAT THE NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE Fund said was an assault on "any and all efforts to address racial inequality," the Supreme Court found race-based school assignment plans implemented in Louisville, Kentucky, and Seattle...

Takeover of Independence Bank: white shareholder holds the future for institution.(B.E. 100s)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... THE DAYS OF INDEPENDENCE federal Savings Bank (No. 14 on the BE BANKS list with $161 million in assets) as one of the nation's largest black-owned banks may be numbered. Morton Bender, a white shareholder who now owns 21% of the historically...

A $16 million win for the little guy: grocery store owner defeats major wholesaler.(BUSINESS NEWS)
September 1, 2007... JONATHAN F. "JOHNNY" JOHNSON, OWNER OF THE Community Pride supermarket chain, may have fallen from the ranks of the BE 100s, but he has recently bagged good fortune. In June, a Richmond, Virginia, circuit court jury reached a verdict that giant...

Peebles to break ground in sin city: but $2.5 billion Las Vegas complex will not host gaming.(B.E. 100s)(R. DONAHUE PEEBLES)
September 1, 2007... R. DONAHUE PEEBLES IS SPENDING $1.6 BILLION TO BUILD Las Palmas, a new Las Vegas hotel and condominium complex that will he worth $2.5 billion when finished. Las Palmas will be the largest real estate project ever developed and owned in the...

Louisiana congressman indicted: faces 200 years on fraud and conspiracy charges.(WASHINGTON REPORT)(Rep. William Jefferson)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... IN EARLY JUNE, THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE BROUGHT FEDERAL charges against Rep. William Jefferson a Democrat serving the 2nd District of Louisiana. Should the 16 charges against Jefferson stick, the Harvard-trained lawyer could land in jail for...

What is it worth to you? Blacks pay the consequences of smoking in more ways than one.(FACTS & FIGURES)(Table)
September 1, 2007... THE NO. 1 THREAT TO AFRICAN AMERICANS IS NOT HIV/AIDS, murder, or drug and alcohol abuse--it's smoking. According to Pathways to Freedom: Winning the Fight Against Tobacco. a study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,...

Pay me now: dividend-paving stocks can help protect your porfolio if the market takes a turn.(INVESTMENT STRATEGIES)
September 1, 2007... THE OCCASIONAL ROAD BUMP IS TO BE EXPECTED, AND that's exactly what investors have been getting lately. While the market continues to edge upward, overall it's been a pattern of setting new records, followed by periodic retreats. Take what...

World explorer: portfolio manager Marcus L. Smith has a method to selecting stocks from around the globe.(STOCK PICKS)(Interview)(Table)
September 1, 2007... Dow crosses 14,000." "Nasdaq hits six-year high." "Lately it would be hard to say that the headlines from Wall Street could look much better, so why would you look abroad for investments? Well, the numbers tell the story. Over time, stock...

Material gains: copper pays off for Terry Bedford.(STOCK UPDATE)(Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc)(Table)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... SO MUCH FOR A 12-MONTH PRICE TARGET. BACK IN our March issue, Terry Bedford, president of Hamilton, Ontario-based Bedford & Associates Research Group, made an aggressive call when he said shares of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX)...

A full-bodied plan: how one Atlanta doctor is making sure her retirement dreams become reality.(RETIREMENT PLANNING)
September 1, 2007... When it comes to wine, Kamela Coleman likes fruity and sweet, something along the lines of a Viognier--a white varietal that's best with fruits and desserts. As she's stocking her 700-bottle cellar, Coleman is keeping her eye out for this...

Target date funds: is there such a thing as a worry-free investment?(MUTUAL FUND FOCUS)
September 1, 2007... Some folks love to fuss over their retirement nest eggs. They follow the stock market like hawks, scope out hot sectors, tweak their holdings, and check theft balances before hitting the pillow every night. But many Americans just don't have...

Don't panic.(MONEY MATTERS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... QA My husband and I both have a 401(k) and we were thinking about borrowing from one of these accounts to prepay for our son's education, who is 14. Do you think that would be a good investment considering the rising cost of education? ...

Making the grade: test-prep company helps students score big.(MAKING IT)(test-preparation)
September 1, 2007... EACH YEAR, THOUSANDS OF PROSPECTIVE POST-SECONDARY students take entrance exams--ACT, SAT, GRE, GMAT, and LSAT--seeking admission to the nation's top educational institutions. For these academic aspirants, obtaining a high test score is a must....

Office watch: deciding to install computer-monitoring software is no longer a tricky decision.(MANAGEMENT ADVICE)
September 1, 2007... Big Brother may be watching. To increase employee productivity and combat online loafing in the workplace, employers are arming their companies with computer-monitoring software to track usage. "I an see an advantage in using these tools....

A dismal outlook: survey reveals small businesses are doubtful about the nation's economy.(BUSINESS NEWS)(Table)
September 1, 2007... A recent study sponsored by the National Small Business Association revealed that small-business owners are in the midst of challenging times. The report shows just 36% of total businesses polled consider the national economy better now than it...

Working from home.(SAVVY SOLUTIONS)
September 1, 2007... QA Do you know anything about those work-from-home jobs on the Internet? My friend signed up with this Internet company processing people's HUD claims. She says that she makes approximately $550 per week, but she had to pay the company $87 to...

A clear view: Michael Jones ensures NASA and law enforcement get the picture.(BLACK DIGERATI)
September 1, 2007... WITH ITS PRODUCT ON THE NOSE OF A NASA SPACECRAFT, the sky is literally the limit for Niche Concepts L.L.C., Michael Jones' 10-year-old, six-employee firm in Troy, New York "We were contacted by Boeing to supply a high-resolution,...

Together at last: new tools unify e-mail and phone services.(TECH NEWS)
September 1, 2007... In an age when the average American has at least two phone numbers, the time has come to streamline the telephone system, linking multiple phones with one phone number; to consolidate voice mail from multiple lines into one file; and to bring...

One to watch.(TECHWATCH)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Sitofono (www.sitofono.com), based in Italy, offers services aimed at businesses and entrepreneurs and lets them receive calls directly from the Web via a set phone number, a toll-free number, or an automatic responder. Although it's not...

Let's get clicking.(B.E. TESTED)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Kodak's EasyShare V1003 is a fashionista's dream with its cute, slim, eye-catching design in enough color choices to coordinate with any designer outfit. The 10-megapixel, 3x optical zoom camera is competitively priced at $249.95 and a breeze...

Online security.(CYBERWISE)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... QA I know online backup companies have been around for a while, but I still get nervous about leaving my information floating around, especially with identity theft and information theft so rampant. Is this really a safe way to store my...

Quality control: a retail professional finds her niche behind the seams.(EXECUTIVE SUITE)
September 1, 2007... What does your job at Abercrombie & Fitch entail? I manage a team of quality assurance professionals who work behind the scenes establishing the manufacturing base that makes our product--assessing their capabilities, establishing all the...

Learn to lead.(ACTION PLAN)(You Don't Need A Title To Be A Leader: How Anyone, Anywhere Can Make A Positive Difference)(Brief article)(Book review)
September 1, 2007... IF IT'S TRUE THAT LEADERS ARE MADE AND NOT BORN, THEN DENYVETTA Davis believes she's found the instruction manual. The director of library operations for the Oklahoma-based Metropolitan Library System, Davis recently checked out You Don't Need...

How to treat a non-compete restriction.(ACTION PLAN)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... IN A MARKETPLACE STEEPED WITH COMPETITION AND A BUSINESS environment often staffed with a transient workforce, non-compete agreements have become quite the business norm. Non-compete agreements or clauses, also known as restrictive...

Mixing creativity and innovation.(ACTION PLAN)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... DEREGULATION OF THE U.S. electric industry, coupled with empowered consumers who could now choose their power supplier, meant jolting changes for Southern California Edison. "Many of the core competencies we mastered pre-deregulation no longer...

Work enhancements: how certification increases your professional worth.(EXECUTIVE MEMO)
September 1, 2007... Just months after graduating with a degree in accounting, Nigel Franklyn dove back into the books and began the long process of becoming certified. "Pursuing the certified public accountant designation helped me master necessary...

More than research.(SINCE YOU ASKED)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... QA I've been asked to research employee development and succession planning and present the findings to senior management. If implemented, it could lead to a promotion for me. I don't know where to begin or what the end product should look...

Rodney C. Adkins.(ON THE MOVE)
September 1, 2007... New Position: Senior VP of Development and Manufacturing for Systems and Technology Group (STG) Organization: IBM Location: Somers, NY Responsibilities: Responsible for all IBM systems and technology development worldwide ...

Donna Dozier Gordon.(ON THE MOVE)
September 1, 2007... New Position: Senior Director, Restaurant Support Services Organization: Darden Restaurants Location: Orlando, FL Responsibilities: Directs supplier diversity and manages day-to-day operations Former Position: Director,...

Roy S. Johnson.(ON THE MOVE)
September 1, 2007... New Position: Vice President/Editor-in-Chief Organization: Men's Fitness Location: New York Responsibilities: Heads the editorial direction for the magazine and its Website Former Position: Assistant Managing Editor at Sports...

Keith Clinkscales.(ON THE MOVE)
September 1, 2007... New Position: Senior VP, Content Development & Enterprises Organization: ESPN Location: New York Responsibilities: Heads ESPN Publishing and the consumer products division, as well as the creation of new content for all ESPN media...

Mark Whitaker.(ON THE MOVE)
September 1, 2007... New Position: Senior Vice President Organization: NBC News Location: New York Responsibilities: Oversees news gathering and development of online content Former Position: Vice President/Editor-in-Chief of New Ventures at...

Convention calendar.(POWERPLAY)(Brief article)(Calendar)
September 1, 2007... National Black MBA Association 29th Annual Conference & Exposition Sept. 11-16; Orlando, FL; 312-236-2622; www.nbmbaa.org National African American Insurance Association Sept. 12-14; Detroit; 866-56-NAAIA; www.naaia.org National...

A new path: Pamela Turner strikes out on her own and takes control of her retirement planning.(SECURING YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE: Black Wealth Initiative)(businesswomen's management )
September 1, 2007... Declaration of Financial Empowerment From this day forward, I declare my vigilant and lifelong commitment to financial empowerment and hereby pledge the following: 1 I will use homeownership as a foundation for building wealth. 2 I...

From "me" to "we": Richard McFarlane and Jennifer Little prepare to create a joint financial plan.(Financial Fitness Contest Winner No. 84)(Table)
September 1, 2007... JENNIFER LITTLE IS A GO-GETTER. BUT right now, even she admits that she's too far, too fast. This summer she planned to get married and move into a new home. This fall she will be starting law school, while continuing to work full time as...

Getting on the franchise fast track: five sectors that place you in the driver's seat.(FRANCHISING)
September 1, 2007... LET'S FACE IT: WE ALL WANT TO WIN, TO be the first to greet the fluttering black-and-white checkered flag. Just as in auto racing, it takes a certain kind of entrepreneur to join in the $1.5 trillion franchise racer. But before you leave the...

Extraordinary products in a growing market: nanotechnology promises revolutionary applications for everything from pain relievers to self-cleaning windows.(BUSINESS OF TECHNOLOGY)
September 1, 2007... ENTREPRENEURS RASHEEN SMITH AND Bejan Esmaili had a million-dollar idea that began brewing in the late '90s. At the time, reports of traumatic renal complications suffered by such NBA all-stars as Sean Elliott and Alonzo Mourning, allegedly...

The emotional side of money: understanding one of the most important relationships in your life: the one between you and your money.(BOOK EXCERPT)(Excerpt)
September 1, 2007... OUR EMOTIONS DETERMINE OUR financial success or failure, This is the guiding principle examined by Alvin Hall in his latest personal finance title, You & Your Money: It's More Than Just the Numbers (Atria Books; $24). To understand your own...

Bringing the sizzle back to McDonald's: Donald Thompson worked his way up the fast-food giant's ladder to become one of its highest-ranking executives.(B.E. CORPORATE EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR)(Biography)
September 1, 2007... DON THOMPSON IS THE STAR OF THE SHOW. At McDonald's annual Managers Peak Experience in Las Vegas--a conference for company management--attendees line up to shake his hand, take a picture with him, or just shoot the breeze as he walks through...

The physics of tennis: more than talent influences the game.(tennis players' paraphernalia)
September 1, 2007... If you play a sport or engage in any activity on a regular basis--be it basketball, ballroom dancing, or sketching--chances are you have a favorite something relevant to that activity. Maybe it's a certain shoe you like to wear, a certain item...

The psychology of golf: the business of pleasure.
September 1, 2007... Long considered an indulgence of the affluent and elite, golf is the perfect blend of sportsmanship, etiquette, and mental challenge. But more than that, it's a business tool skillfully wielded by deal makers, corporate executives, and...

Necessary indulgence: good reasons to head to the spa.(skin care for health reasons)
September 1, 2007... Is there a science to indulging? A reason to pamper yourself-other than because you're worth it? Aestheticians--specialists in the field of skincare and beauty--and massage therapists agree that people who lead athletic lifestyles and/or spend...

The Bill Dickey Scholarship Association: granting opportunities of a lifetime.
September 1, 2007... In the fall, 18-year-old Earl Moorer will be heading off to college in the land of rolling green hills near the North Sea, the milieu in which golf is the bedrock--Scotland. The Texas native will attend the prestigious University of St....

Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program: dedication to a cause.
September 1, 2007... On any given weekday morning, the Harlem Armory Center is bustling with activity. It is the headquarters for the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program, a nonprofit organization that provides tennis lessons to children who otherwise may not...

Throwing in the towel: sometimes quitting is synonymous with success.(PEAK PERFORMANCE)
September 1, 2007... "GIVEN THE PAPER'S LIMITED MEANS, THERE WAS NOTHING else I could do to further its mission," says Roland S. Martin. In March 2007, the nationally syndicated columnist and Chicago-based radio host resigned from his position as executive editor...

Your best life yet: Robin Roberts offers seven principles for reaching your professional and personal goals.(WORDS TO STRIVE BY)(From the Heart: Seven Rules to Live By )(Excerpt)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... In her new book, From the Heart: Seven Rules to Live By (Hyperion; $19.95), Robin Roberts details her incredible journey from the small town of Pass Christian, Mississippi, to national stardom as co-host and anchor of the daily ABC news show...

Inspiring others.(PEP TALK)(an aspiring greeting card writer)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... QA Throughout my life, people have told me that I write the most inspiring letters and cards. How can I get a job with a company that makes inspirational products, license my writings to them, or start my own greeting card business. --S....

The pretenders: could someone be using your child's identity? Find out before it's too late.(CONSUMER LIFE)
September 1, 2007... IMAGINE THAT YOUR PRECIOUS 10-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER has half a dozen credit cards with charges totaling more than $30,000. Add to the equation that she's been approved for a $25,000 loan. In fact, she has been in debt since she was a...

5 ways to kill your credit.(CREDIT MANAGEMENT)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... HOW YOU HANDLE YOUR CREDIT IS MORE CRITICAL THAN YOU MAY REALIZE. Your credit score, which ranges from 300 to 850, not only affects your ability to obtain a mortgage, car note, or personal loan, but it also affects the interest rate you...

Is your cell phone costing too much--abroad?(CONSUMER LIFE)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... IT TOOK YOU A YEAR TO PLAN AND budget for that breathtaking and relaxing trip overseas. For once, you returned home in the black with gifts in your suitcase and money in your pocket. So imagine your surprise when a few weeks later, you receive...

Prioritize your debts.(DEBT MANAGEMENT)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... IS YOUR DEBT LOAD WEIGHING YOU DOWN? DON'T despair. Bankrate.com's pay-down debt adviser calculator can help you prioritize and pay off your debts. "The calculator takes into account various balances and prioritizes debts based on net interest...

Cut costs at the pump.(DID YOU KNOW?)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... TO THEIR SURPRISE, MANY DRIVERS NATIONWIDE WERE STILL PAYING MORE than $3 for a gallon of gas this summer. Mike Pina, director of public relations for AAA, attributed the spike to a temporary drop in refinery capacity. Although gas prices have...

?Hablas espanol? Parlez vous francais? Link online to free language courses worldwide.(PRICELESS RESOURCES)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Maybe you have always wanted to learn a foreign language but haven't had the time--up or dinero--to sign up for a class. Well, a world of free lessons is just a mouse click away. Free online translators and multilingual dictionaries round out...

Credit and foreclosure.(ASK YOUR ADVOCATE)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... QA I bought a house a year ago. My tenants stopped paying rent and now the house is in foreclosure. How can I clean up my credit after the foreclosure, so I will be able to buy another home when I am really ready to take on the responsibility?...

The luxe shop: stylist Misa Hylton opens a high-fashion boutique online.(IN FASHION)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Celebrity stylist Misa Hylton never wanted just a fashion e-commerce business; she wanted a luxury online boutique where shoppers would feel engaged by an experience. Frustrated by her own encounters shopping online, she endeavored to...

Tech town: Tearsa Smith sees a renaissance in Knoxville.(CITY INSIDER)(Knoxville, Tennessee's commercial growth)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Charming and quaint with a population estimated at approximately 182,000, Knoxville, Tennessee, is noted for its contributions to country music and the 1982 World's Fair. Among its acclaimed locals are poet Nikki Giovanni and William Henry...

Built in 1799, the Maple Grove Inn (8800 Westland Drive, 800-645-0713, www.maplegroveinn.com) is a Georgian-style house where each of its seven suites is uniquely styled.(ACCOMMODATIONS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... * Built in 1799, the Maple Grove Inn (8800 Westland Drive, 800-645-0713, www.maplegroveinn.com) is a Georgian-style house where each of its seven suites is uniquely styled. "My favorite room is the Maple Suite," shares Smith. "Rooms are...

Four Points by Sheraton Knoxville Cumberland House Hotel.(ACCOMMODATIONS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... * Four Points by Sheraton Knoxville Cumberland House Hotel (1109 White Ave., 865-971-4663) is centrally located in the Fort Sanders Historic District and steps from the Knoxville Convention Center and the University of Tennessee. It has the...

At The Orangery Restaurant (5412 Kingston Pike, 865-588-2964, www.the organeryrestaurant.com), casual elegance is the preferred dress code.(RESTAURANTS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... * At The Orangery Restaurant (5412 Kingston Pike, 865-588-2964, www.the organeryrestaurant.com), casual elegance is the preferred dress code. This formal dining experience is based on "classic French cuisine served in courses." Dinner for two...

Pasta Trio.(RESTAURANTS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... * It's tradition at Pasta Trio (119 South Central St., 865-540-3970) to bring a bottle of wine for your dinner, sign it, and leave the empty bottle for the unusual decorative collection that adorns this relaxed eatery. Entrees like the Cajun...

Baker Peters Jazz Club (9000 Kingston Pike, 865-690-8110, www.baker petersjazzclub.com) "is an old mansion converted into a jazz club/restaurant with intimate lighting," says Smith.(RESTAURANTS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... * Baker Peters Jazz Club (9000 Kingston Pike, 865-690-8110, www.baker petersjazzclub.com) "is an old mansion converted into a jazz club/restaurant with intimate lighting," says Smith. "It's like eating in someone's home. The food is...

Bliss Home + Art (24 Market Square, 888-809-2424, www.shopinbliss.com) feels like an airy Miami shop and stands out in Knoxville's small-town landscape.(SHOPPING)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... * Bliss Home + Art (24 Market Square, 888-809-2424, www.shopinbliss.com) feels like an airy Miami shop and stands out in Knoxville's small-town landscape. Located in the popular Market Square District, it specializes in vintage home...

For the gentleman who prefers tailored perfection, John H. Daniel Custom Tailors (120 West Jackson Ave,, 865-637-6441, www.johnhdaniel.com) crafts suits.(SHOPPING)(John H. Daniel Company Inc.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... * For the gentleman who prefers tailored perfection, John H. Daniel Custom Tailors (120 West Jackson Ave,, 865-637-6441, www.johnhdaniel.com) crafts suits--starting at $550--with 600 to 800 different fabrics imported from England and Italy.

Knoxville Soap Candle & Gifts.(SHOPPING)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... * Knoxville Soap Candle & Gifts (4889 Broadway, 865-689-6545) "is one of my personal favorites. It's a pamper shop with every type of cream you can imagine. With its water sculptures and tasteful accessories, it's like being at a spa."

"I recently went to see the opera Carmen," at the Tennessee Theatre (604 South Gay St., www.tennesseetheatre.com).(NIGHTSPOTS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... * "I recently went to see the opera Carmen," at the Tennessee Theatre (604 South Gay St., www.tennesseetheatre.com). "Every time I go there, it takes my breath away; the theatre brings old Hollywood glamour to Knoxville. This year alone it has...

"My husband and I double date quite often at The Comedy Zone" (9246 Park West Blvd., 865-692-9663, www.knoxvillecomedyzone.com).(NIGHTSPOTS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... * "My husband and I double date quite often at The Comedy Zone" (9246 Park West Blvd., 865-692-9663, www.knoxvillecomedyzone.com). "You will leave with a pain in your side from laughter.

BlackEnterprise.com is all new!(All Access: YOUR MONTHLY PASS TO B.E. EVENTS, TV, AND RADIO)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... BlackEnterprise.com is all new! Log on to solidify your commitment to maximizing wealth and prosperity. Our online home is a fast and easy way to access the personal and financial tools and resources BLACK ENTERPRISE is known for... and it's...

Own Your First Home Contest.(All Access: YOUR MONTHLY PASS TO B.E. EVENTS, TV, AND RADIO)
September 1, 2007... Tired of renting? BLACK ENTEPRISE wants to help make your dream of homeownership a reality. Enter the third annual Black Enterprise Own Your First Home Contest today for your chance to win $10,000 toward the purchase of your first home. The...

Women of Power Summit.(All Access: YOUR MONTHLY PASS TO B.E. EVENTS, TV, AND RADIO)
September 1, 2007... Registration for the third annual Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit hosted by State Farm[R] opens Aug. 27! This exciting, four-day executive leadership conference designed especially for professional women of color is moving to the...