MODERN DAY MATCHMAKER BRINGS DATING TOUR TO THE BIG APPLE
Top Relationship Experts to Share Dating Advise!
By Keith L. Forest

What better place to fall in love than New York City! As the media capital of the world it is the setting where many romantic movies were made which makes it the most spectacular backdrop for two hearts to join as one. However, since the majority of New Yorkers live such fast-paced, complex lives, finding that special someone can be daunting. Although many have turned to modern technology as a tool to schedule love in their lives, a few hopeless romantics are holding out for that knight in shining armor.

Life coach and modern day matchmaker Paul Carrick Brunson, the visionary behind One Degree From (dot) Me - a relationship and lifestyle coaching firm for upscale, urban professionals who are looking for like-minded individuals - is aware of the many challenges people in big cities face. “When you look at the number of singles in major cities, it appears it would be a gold mine for people looking to get hitched,” Paul says. However, according to Paul, marriage rates are much higher in suburban areas. That, Paul says, is because most people move to big cities searching for something other than a romantic relationship which places many urban dwellers on the “single but not available” list.

For those singles who seek the perfect spouse to compliment their career, Paul suggests you alter your priorities. ”When working with clients, I love using the analogy of securing a job,” Paul says. “What would you do to get a great job? Would you work day and night for it? Would you hone your skills?” He muses. “So if having a committed relationship now has priority over career and education, ask yourself what are you (willing to do to) secure a great Relationship?”

For those living in New York who are struggling in the dating arena, Paul Carrick and his intellectually astute crew beckons you to join them at “The Modern Day Matchmaker: Real Relationship Talk” tour. The seven city tour, which kicked off in DC, will touch down in the Big Apple Thursday, June 3 at Providence, 311 West 57th Street. “When we originally planned the tour earlier this year, we asked the viewers of our web series where they wanted us to stop,” says Paul, who is also hosts the popular “The Modern Day MatchMaker” series on You Tube. “New York was a fan favorite.” Upcoming touring cities include Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Los Angeles and London, England.

The evening will include live entertainment, a panel discussion from top relationship experts and a VIP after party immediately following the forum. Panelists lined up for New York are: writer, relationship blogger Anslem Samuel of Naked with Socks On; columnist, author and blogger Demetria Luca of A Belle In Brooklyn; motivational speaker, writer and blogger Kenya Stevens; writer, blogger Damon “The Champ” Young of “Very Smart Brothas”; writer and blogger Lola ADesioye; and writer, blogger Jozen Cummings of “Until I Get Married.” For additional information and to register for the event, log onto onedegreefrom.me.

Keith L. Forest is a freelance publicist, writer and proud Bedford-Stuyvesant home owner who lives and works in the beloved community. His current blog space mybedstuy.blogspot.com seeks to celebrate the people and places that make up this great community while addressing issues such as gentrification, predatory lending and other ill norms that seek to exploit, discredit and harm the area and its people.

Is Punditry a Prelude to a Race in New York?
By MICHAEL BARBARO - The New York Times

Robert F. Kennedy possessed the biggest brand name in American politics. Hillary Rodham Clinton boasted eight years in the White House.

But Harold E. Ford Jr., the former Tennessee congressman who is weighing a run for the United States Senate from New York, represents a new breed of out-of-town political aspirant in the Empire State: the TV pundit.

His stature undoubtedly derives from his five consecutive terms as a United States representative and a bitterly contested campaign for the Senate, but Mr. Ford, 39, has introduced himself to New Yorkers as a self-assured, nattily dressed political insider on Fox, NBC and MSNBC.

Over the past two years, he become a regular on shows like “Morning Joe” and “Meet the Press,” pontificating on everything from death panels to Barack Obama’s popularity.

The appearances have given Mr. Ford’s name a familiar ring but have revealed little about his politics, which will become the subject of intense scrutiny over the next few weeks as he decides whether to run against Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand this fall. He has given himself 45 days to sound out potential donors and party leaders about a campaign.

“The question is: Can a guy who is not a movie star but a TV personality from Tennessee, not from New York, who happens to be African-American win a race against a well-funded incumbent with support from a large part of the political establishment?” said Hank Sheinkopf, a longtime New York political consultant.

Several influential Democratic donors, like the financier Steven Rattner and the co-president of HBO, Richard Plepler, have encouraged him to run, and New York City’s billionaire mayor, Michael R. Bloomberg, has signaled he is open to supporting Mr. Ford.

Mr. Bloomberg, who carefully parses out his praise, on Wednesday called Mr. Ford “a very smart guy” who had been “very helpful” to the city.

Those who have examined Mr. Ford’s record in office describe him as a conservative Democrat with positions that might raise a few eyebrows in the Democratic Party’s liberal wing. He is a member of the National Rifle Association who voted to protect gun makers against litigation; he has voted against gay marriage, but is for civil unions; and he supported a ban on partial-birth abortions. (He describes himself as in favor of abortion rights.)

“He is more conservative than most people imagine him to be,” said Basil Smikle, a top aide to Mrs. Clinton when she was a senator in New York.

Mr. Ford’s supporters, many of whom have criticized Ms. Gillibrand as undistinguished, said that they were drawn to his charisma and conviction, not a handful of votes on hot-button issues. “It’s much more personal,” said an executive who has promised to back Mr. Ford if he runs.

His initial challenge may be selling voters on his very New Yorkness. He moved to the city three years ago, after losing the Senate race in Tennessee.

“It’s not clear to me that he knows the difference between Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brookhaven and Buffalo,” said Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries of Brooklyn. “He’s got a lot to learn about New York State in a very short period of time.”

Yet Mr. Ford’s claims to the state are, by historical standards, better than average. Mrs. Clinton won her Senate seat after having lived in Westchester County for about a year.

Mr. Ford is in the process of getting his driver’s license in New York. But there is at least one hole in his New York civic life: He did not register to vote in the state until a few weeks ago, skipping the Democrats’ historic — and successful — bid to retake the State Senate, as well as a mayoral race in which the party sought to retake City Hall after 15 years of Republican control. He kept his registration in Tennessee in case he decided to seek office there again.

As he tries to sell skeptical donors and voters on the viability of his candidacy, Mr. Ford, who declined to comment for this article, is likely to be helped by his TV appearances.

It was telling that Mr. Ford, who has repeatedly declined to discuss his Senate ambitions publicly, broke his silence on TV on Wednesday morning, under questioning from his on-air colleagues, who warmly teased him, calling him “senator.”

“I’m absorbing a lot of thoughts, listening to a lot of people,” he said of his discussions with supporters. “I have a little time to think about it.”

"Speech by Bed Stuy's Own - William C. Thompson Jr.," - New York Times

The following speech was delivered by New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson Jr., the Democratic candidate for mayor, at Hunter College on Thursday night:

"Tonight I want to talk to you about what I believe is a key issue in this campaign – Republican Mike Bloomberg's self-serving desire to do away with the term limits law that New Yorkers voted for not once, but twice. He ignored New Yorkers' voices and votes in a clear violation of the will of the people.
Elections are an opportunity for voters to differentiate between candidates and their vision for the office that they seek. And this is an issue that I believe clearly defines who my Republican opponent is and who I am. (click link for full speech)