FIRST LEDGER - "Add Your News..."

It has been a year since posting our last blog. Time flies and many things have happened in a years' time. One of the few certainties in life is, "change is swift and constant". Some readers have new jobs, new homes and some have blessed events. Some have lost loved ones and some have just watched and waited for change.

As Publisher of First Ledger, I ask that on Super Tuesday, please remember, it's not about fundraising or who "owes" who, when you go into the voting booth on February 5th. I won't tell you who you should vote for (I have been pretty vocal about whom I endorse), just remember that campaign promises are always fleeting. The only thing I would ask readers to do, is to look into your hearts and then take a long hard look at your kids before you walk out the door to vote. If you don't have kids yet (like me), turn and look at the person closest to you in life and think to yourself, "What's in it for them?".

Vote your conscience.

Blair C. Smith
Publisher
First Ledger

First Ledger has seen many candidates visit New York over the years, but not since President William Jefferson Clinton has anyone created such sweeping furor as Illinois Senator and Presdential candidate Barack Obama (D).

Event Planning Committee: Dyice Ellis-Beckham, Sean Hudson, William C. Ince, Brian A. Jones, Jeanine Liburd, Kenneth McRay, Ritta McLaughlin, Erik S. Miller, Naima Muhammad, Lesley Nurse, Tanya Odom, Obinna Onyeagoro, Steve Pamon, Erica N. Walker, Heather McDaniel Willis

Committee Adviser -Phil Isom, Partner, O'Melveny & Myers LLP

About - Youth About Business

Youth About Business (YAB) prepares and educates students tobe tomorrow’s leaders by using a unique leadership and financial preparedness model in which high school students are engaged in a week-long business competition performing mergers and acquisitionstransaction simulations. Local investment bankers, accountants,attorneys and executives serve as consultants to the student teams. YAB promotes racial and gender diversity by recruiting students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. YAB looks for ambitious students; participants are not selected solely based on academic performance, but on their desire to excel in all aspects of their lives.

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith

With the long overdue opportunity for millions around the world to see two African American coaches compete for the first time in the Super Bowl, this event may rank among other historic milestones like Hank Aaron's 729th home run as effecting "real" change in mainstream American culture. This was arguably a more exciting game than Super Bowl's and offers all Black people the change to express something lacking in professional sports lately. Pride.

For those of you who have no idea what those "Space Invader" looking gizmos were that set off a full scale terrorist alert in Boston last week, we will explain. The "Mooninites" (Ignigknot and Err) are characters from Turner Broadcasting Networks's Cartoon Network (Adult Swim) series "Aqua Teen Hunger Force". With main-characters like "Master Shake" and "Meatwad", the show is really weird but really, really funny. However, a marketing gimick using circuit boards, raising the terror alert in Boston was not funny at all to local officials.

"Turner Broadcasting Systems and Interference Inc. agreed to pay $2 million. $1 million of this will go towards reimbursing the affected agencies, and $1 million will go towards Homeland Security. In addition, Turner released a statement to take responsibility and apologized for the incident." - Wikipedia.org


Although the Mooninites would find this hilarious...we don't dare laugh at this one. Click above and see what the fuss was about courtesy of YouTube.com...

Sadly, the overwhelming Super Bowl coverage overshadowed the passing of a seldom noticed Black screen icon of the 1950's. Click below to see this woman's amazing talent. All talented sisters were not playing maids back in the day.

From - The Associated Press
"LOS ANGELES -- Singer Barbara McNair, who became a film and television star in an era when such opportunities were opening up for black women, has died, her sister said. She was 72.
McNair died Sunday after a battle with throat cancer in Los Angeles, sister Jacqueline Gaither said.
"She was very family oriented," Gaither said. "She was more than just a star or a famous personality. She was a person of her own."
McNair made her Hollywood acting debut in 1968 in the film, "If He Hollers, Let Him Go."
She later starred opposite Sydney Poitier in "They Call Me Mister Tibbs" and with Elvis Presley in "Change of Habit."
She hosted television's "The Barbara McNair Show," a musical and comedy program in the late 1960s and early 1970s. As a singer, one of her biggest hits was "You Could Never Love Him.""

It is had for someone raised on "Baltimore" Colts football to admit it, but Tony Dungy and his staff and team deserve our respect and admiration for overcoming unbelieveable odds in his career (he got fired from the Tampa Bay Bucaneers and lost his son to suicide), to become the first African American coach to play in (and win) a Super Bowl. Now maybe we can get a Black President under our belt next and then take on Hockey!

First Ledger was in Miami Beach this past week for various Super Bowl events and celebrations. Special thanks to our hosts Legacy Growth Partners, LLC for the opportunity to attend.







All hotels in Miami Beach are not the same. If you stay at one of the skanier ones, you are in for a real let down. This is the Lowes Miami Beach prior to the Maxim Super Bowl XLI event.





Melyssa Ford was much nicer (and much shorter) than you would imagine in person. She co-hosted a party with Ludacris and Vibe Magazine and conducted herself like a lady in the VIP the whole night.







Seeing Hulk Hogan wizz by us on his scooter convinced the First Ledger folks this was the "must have" gift of Summer 2007.

Thanks again to our friends in Miami Beach for inviting us to a party hosted by NASCAR Champion Jeff Gordon at Suite. We had no idea what to expect but when we saw the folks from Vibe Magazine and Violator's Chris Lighty, we knew we were in the right place. DJ Sky Nellor "set it off", as they say in the streets.














Violator Records CEO Chris Lightty and his wife

Is there any doubt that Prince's performance was the best Super Bowl half time show in recent memory? "His Royal Badness" managed to unleash a torrent of his greatest hits and a tribute to Jimi in the pouring rain to a frenzied Super Bowl audience. Although the media is reporting some viewers were offended, at least he kept his clothes on. Besides, nothing we saw was as nasty as that "Snickers" commercial (Bleeech!).

The New York Giants’ Tiki Barber celebrated his retirement from the NFL last night at Capitale, in conjuction with Gotham Magazine's 7th annual gala. Seems like he is getting out while "the getting is good" with a lucrative post-NFL career.


Gotham Magazine editor Keija Minor and former NY Giants Tiki Barber

In "My Hair Is Curly" Sidney is a four year old little girl who enjoys going to school and loves to learn. She has gray eyes, a beautiful smile and long, curly hair. On her fourth birthday she starts pre-school and makes some new friends. One day, Sidney comes home from school and reveals she hates her hair. After listening to a story about wishing, Sidney decides to make a wish and quickly learns all the things
that she would miss if she were just like everyone else.

Retired Assistant Superintendent, Eleanor D. White, Ed.D wrote:
“My Hair is Curly is a clever tale that offers young children an opportunity to
learn to appreciate who they are, showing once again that being accepted in not
guaranteed by looking like everyone else.”

For more information on "My Hair Is Curly", please contact author Sabrina Carter at scwcarter@msn.com

Congratulations to Harold Ford Jr., the new Chairman of the Democratic Ledership Council. Here are excerpts from his official announcement.




Dear Blair,

The seriousness of my purpose to win the Senate seat in Tennessee fell narrowly short. But the seriousness of my purpose to help our country and my state of Tennessee promote an agenda of reform, innovation and progress remains as strong as ever. So, today I am writing to let you know that I have accepted an offer to become the Chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), one of the leading Democratic think tanks in the country.

Public service is at the core of my life. While I will also be working in the private sector and teaching at Vanderbilt University, I will continue to find ways to help the country move boldly and confidently into the future. The DLC will be a part of my life over the next two years, and I invite your thoughts and ideas on how, together, we can positively influence the direction of the Democratic Party and the country over the next two years.

Thank you for your continued support and friendship.

Sincerely,

Harold

To highlight our "Children's Issue", we strongly urge new parents to watch this short film. This 8 minute documentary entitled "A Girl Like Me" recreates the “doll test” initially conducted by Dr. Kenneth Clark, which was used in the historic desegregation case, Brown vs. Board of Education. In the film, the new test yields startling results and raises the continuing issue of self-esteem in our community among our children. If accurate, we still have a long way to go.

"First Ledger" urges our readers to take the time to watch this (see link below), judge for yourselves and renew the dialogue.

video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1091431409617440489

Also, I think in an age where "we" are often seen as superficial and non-intellectual on medium like BET and MTV, this young Black girl who directed this film, Kiri Davis, needs to be recognized and saluted. Thank you to our Baltimore correspondent R. Williams for bringing this to our attention.

Blair Smith
Publisher
First Ledger

For those New Yorkers who are Morehouse/Spelman alumni and us folks who have fond memories of traveling to the ATL, you might want to pay particular attention to this story.

White Atlanta suburbs push for secession
By DOUG GROSS, Associated Press WriterTue Jan 23, 2:27 PM ET

A potentially explosive dispute in the City Too Busy to Hate is taking shape over a proposal to break Fulton County in two and split off Atlanta's predominantly white, affluent suburbs to the north from some of the metropolitan area's poorest, black neighborhoods.

Legislation that would allow the suburbs to form their own county, to be called Milton County, was introduced by members of the Georgia Legislature's Republican majority earlier this month.

Supporters say it is a quest for more responsive government in a county with a population greater than that of six states. Opponents say the measure is racially motivated and will pit white against black, rich against poor.

"If it gets to the floor, there will be blood on the walls," warned state Sen. Vincent Fort, an Atlanta Democrat and member of the Legislative Black Caucus who bitterly opposes the plan. Fort added: "As much as you would like to think it's not racial, it's difficult to draw any other conclusion."

The former Milton County is now mostly white and Republican and one of the most affluent areas in the nation. Atlanta and its southern suburbs are mostly black, are controlled by Democrats and have neighborhoods with some of the highest poverty rates in America. (Buckhead, a fashionable Atlanta neighborhood of clubs, restaurants and mansions, would remain in Fulton County.)

Don Petree, the 62-year-old owner of Don's Hairstyling in Roswell, another northern Fulton suburb, said many of his customers "feel like they're not being taken care of like they should be with the tax dollars they're spending. I think there's some truth to that."

Residents of north Fulton represent 29 percent of the county's population of 915,000 but pay 42 percent of its property taxes, according to a local taxpayers group. A split would lead to the loss of $193 million in property taxes alone for Fulton County.

Critics of a split also worry about the future of Grady Memorial Hospital and the Atlanta area's MARTA commuter-rail system — both of which have contracts with the county.

The measure would require the support of two-thirds of both the House and Senate. Then it would have to put to a statewide vote. Also, residents of what would become Milton County would have to endorse the plan.

While Republicans have majorities in both chambers, they would need to win over three Democrats in the Senate and 14 in the House to get it passed.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Bernard Berrian

All we are hearing lately is that DC is "Red Hot" from our folks in the field. First, a few weeks ago, New York's mostly "still single" crowd were "road tripping" down 95 to NBA star Gilbert Arenas' 25th Birthday Party, hosted by New York mainstay Diddy himself at LOVE. We remember when the DC folks came to New York to get "love". As a matter of fact, some of them came and never left. Blame it on B-School or Law School.

Then we got a report last week that a "couples contingent" of DC ex-patriots went down to support author Michael Fauntroy's new book "Republicans and the Black Vote" at an event at the Omni Shoreham. For more on this, check out www.MichaelFauntroy.com . We plan to buy a copy.

Well, we are not saying it is a migration, however recently published statistics show DC is one of the top 5 places people are moving to (Charlotte, NC is #1) while New York is one of the top 5 places people are moving from. This years' Congressional Black Caucus should be quite a "homecomming" for folks and one of those "can't miss" years to attend, along with the Executive Leadership Conference's annual gala.


Author Michael Fauntroy

More and more we are finding our peers are gaining success by investing outside the tri-state area. For some time, we have followed the career of Private Equity honcho Steve Sallion, from his achievements with Carthage Partners to the present. Here is an update on his latest venture with more to come...

MEMPHIS, TN – Lee’s Landing Parking Garage, a $9.7 million facility with 73% minority ownership, opens Friday, bringing 530-plus parking spots to the Beale Street-FedEx Forum area.

Located at 200 S. Second St. at Lt. George W. Lee St., the garage is only a few steps from the Forum and the Gibson Guitar Lounge. The garage is the first phase of the $52 million Lee’s Landing, developed by Performa Entertainment Real Estate, Inc., and scheduled to open in early 2007. Lee’s Landing includes a nine-story Westin Hotel, a Ground Zero Blues Club and a Crescent City Beignets.

Steve Sallion, Managing Partner of New City Capital Partners, said, “We think there exists remarkable commercial real estate investment opportunities across the US in growing secondary markets such as Memphis, and our investment in Lee’s Landing is representative of such an opportunity.” New City Capital Partners is a real estate merchants bank that put together the bulk of the minority investors for the Lee Landing Garage project.

Here is a list of the WORST things we have seen on television this month: (We may start reading more books now)
I Love New York - VH1
The White Rapper Show - VH1

Rev. Al Shapton, singer Michael Jackson and Rev. Jesse Jackson

Designer B. Michael unveiled his Spring 2007 Couture Collection on January 17 at Twenty-Four Fifth. Patron to the arts, Reginald Van Lee and Television producer Susan Fales-Hill were among those who enjoyed the event.


(L to R) Deborah Roberts, Susan Fales-Hill, Crystal McCrary Anthony and Joan Hornig


Reginald Van Lee and Alicia Bythewood

Singer Blu Cantrell

Forget those guys on the basketball court, these are the guys that really keep the ball moving. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and NBA honcho David Stern, along with developer Bruce Ratner and rapper Jay-Z held a press conference at the Brooklyn Museum of Art to announce the highly anticipated and somewhat controversial new home for the New Jersey Nets, the Forest Center.


Mayor Michael Bloomberg and NBA Commisioner David Stern

1.1 million people displaced—in America! Every day, we hear about refugee problems in Iraq, Somalia and Indonesia. Butright here in the Gulf Coast Region of the United States, 1.1 millionpeople—primarily Black and poor—have lost their homes to Hurricanes Rita andKatrina, and the staggering governmental incompetence that followed. Who is defending their right of return? Leading the fight for equitablerebuilding in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana? Making sure that everycitizen has a voice? Holding the government’s feet to the fire? We are. The 21st Century Foundation—America’s oldest national Black-led philanthropy—hasalready raised $1.5 million, and distributed it to proven Gulf Coast communityorganizations. That’s money for jobs. For housing. To help people organize. And to give them the hope they need to live and fight another day.

Want to learn more? Come to www.21cf.org – and find out how you can help!

This compelling read on America's first Muslim Congressman, Democrat Keith Ellison of Minnesota and the history of Thomas Jefferson's Quran. This feature was submitted by our publisher Blair Smith's father, who was a History major at Morgan State University. It offers a great deal of insight, while trying to hold back on being too bias.

What Thomas Jefferson learned from the Muslim book of jihad

By Ted Sampley
U.S.Veteran Dispatch
January 2007

Democrat Keith Ellison is now officially the first Muslim United States congressman. True to his pledge, he placed his hand on the Quran, the Muslim book of jihad and pledged his allegiance to the United States during his ceremonial swearing-in.Capitol Hill staff said Ellison's swearing-in photo opportunity drew more media than they had ever seen in the history of the US House. Ellison represents the 5th Congressional District of Minnesota.The Quran Ellison used was no ordinary book. It once belonged to Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States and one of America's founding fathers. Ellison borrowed it from the Rare Book Section of the Library of Congress. It was one of the 6,500 Jefferson books archived in the library.Ellison, who was born in Detroit and converted to Islam while in college, said he chose to use Jefferson's Quran because it showed that "a visionary like Jefferson" believed that wisdom could be gleaned from many sources.There is no doubt Ellison was right about Jefferson believing wisdom could be "gleaned" from the Muslim Quran. At the time Jefferson owned the book, he needed to know everything possible about Muslims because he was about to advocate war against the Islamic "Barbary" states of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Tripoli.

Ellison's use of Jefferson's Quran as a prop illuminates a subject once well-known in the history of the United States, but, which today, is mostly forgotten -- the Muslim pirate slavers who over many centuries enslaved millions of Africans and tens of thousands of Christian Europeans and Americans in the Islamic "Barbary" states.Over the course of 10 centuries, Muslim pirates cruised the African and Mediterranean coastline, pillaging villages and seizing slaves. The taking of slaves in predawn raids on unsuspecting coastal villages had a high casualty rate. It was typical of Muslim raiders to kill off as many of the "non-Muslim" older men and women as possible so the preferred "booty" of only young women and children could be collected.Young non-Muslim women were targeted because of their value as concubines in Islamic markets. Islamic law provides for the sexual interests of Muslim men by allowing them to take as many as four wives at one time and to have as many concubines as their fortunes allow. Boys as young as 9 or 10 years old, were often mutilated to create eunuchs who would bring higher prices in the slave markets of the Middle East. Muslim slave traders created "eunuch stations" along major African slave routes so the necessary surgery could be performed. It was estimated that only a small number of the boys subjected to the mutilation survived after the surgery.When American colonists rebelled against British rule in 1776, American merchant ships lost Royal Navy protection. With no American Navy for protection, American ships were attacked and their Christian crews enslaved by Muslim pirates operating under the control of the Dey of Algiers--an Islamism warlord ruling Algeria.Because American commerce in the Mediterranean was being destroyed by the pirates, the Continental Congress agreed in 1784 to negotiate treaties with the four Barbary States. Congress appointed a special commission consisting of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin, to oversee the negotiations."

Lacking the ability to protect its merchant ships in the Mediterranean, the new America government tried to appease the Muslim slavers by agreeing to pay tribute and ransoms in order to retrieve seized American ships and buy the freedom of enslaved sailors. Adams argued in favor of paying tribute as the cheapest way to get American commerce in the Mediterranean moving again. Jefferson was opposed. He believed there would be no end to the demands for tribute and wanted matters settled "through the medium of war." He proposed a league of trading nations to force an end to Muslim piracy. In 1786, Jefferson, then the American ambassador to France, and Adams, then the American ambassador to Britain, met in London with Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja, the "Dey of Algiers" ambassador to Britain.The Americans wanted to negotiate a peace treaty based on Congress' vote to appease.During the meeting Jefferson and Adams asked the Dey's ambassador why Muslims held so much hostility towards America, a nation with which they had no previous contacts.In a later meeting with the American Congress, the two future presidents reported that Ambassador Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja had answered that Islam "was founded on the Laws of their Prophet, that it was written in their Quran, that all nations who should not have acknowledged their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as Prisoners, and that every Musselman (Muslim) who should be slain in Battle was sure to go to Paradise."For the following 15 years, the American government paid the Muslims millions of dollars for the safe passage of American ships or the return of American hostages. The payments in ransom and tribute amounted to 20 percent of United States government annual revenues in 1800. Not long after Jefferson's inauguration as president in 1801, he dispatched a group of frigates to defend American interests in the Mediterranean, and informed Congress."


Declaring that America was going to spend "millions for defense but not one cent for \ntribute," Jefferson pressed the issue by deploying American Marines and many of America's best warships to the Muslim Barbary Coast. The USS Constitution, USS Constellation, USS Philadelphia, USS Chesapeake, USS Argus, USS Syren and USS Intrepid all saw action.In 1805, American Marines marched across the dessert from Egypt into Tripolitania, forcing the surrender of Tripoli and the freeing of all American slaves.During the Jefferson administration, the Muslim Barbary States, crumbling as a result of intense American naval bombardment and on shore raids by Marines, finally officially agreed to abandon slavery and piracy.Jefferson's victory over the Muslims lives on today in the Marine Hymn, with the line, "From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, we will fight our country's battles on the land as on the sea."It wasn't until 1815 that the problem was fully settled by the total defeat of all the Muslim slave trading pirates. Jefferson had been right. The "medium of war" was the only way to put and end to the Muslim problem. Mr. Ellison was right about Jefferson. He was a "visionary" wise enough to read and learn about the enemy from their own Muslim book of jihad.

First Ledger sends a special "shout out" and birthday wishes to Mary J. Blige.

Boost Mobile co-hosted Mary J's Birthday Party yesterday at Mr. Chow's in Beverley Hills with Mary's beau Kendu Isaacs. Actors Chris Rock, Chris Tucker and Rap Icon Heavy D also attended with music industry honcho Jimmy Iovine. Thanks to our West Coast correspondents for sending this. How old you ask? You know better than that! Ladies never tell.



Singer Mary J. Blige

You don't have to be in the Garden to cheer for the Knicks. The New York Knicks and Harlem Dowling delivered food to the PS 161 After School Program yesterday, at the Don Pedro Albizu Campos School. The Knicks Marty Collins, Channing Frye and former NY Knicks John Starks particpated.


NY Knicks Channing Frye with students of PS 161


Dorthy Worrell, Executive Director of Harlem Dowling and former NY Knicks John Starks

A lot fo folks will disagree with this and that's fine. I have heard people say that Sony Pictures "Dreamgirls" starring Jamie Foxx is the "must see" film this year/last year. Well, all I can say is the Columbia Pictures' biopic of Christopher Gardner, a real life Wall Street success who started his career as a homeless man caring for his 8 year old, touched the First Ledger staff on a very personal level. It also reminded some of us that life is not always about about Land Rovers, big screen TVs and big remodeled houses. Life is about much more and the line between being a "baller" and being broke is very thin indeed. Especially for our people, or there would be more "ballers" out there. Will Smith and his son Jayden Smith give extraordinary performances and every award nomination they recieve this season is well deserved.

We wanted to publish this note to our Editor from Shaka Rasheed at JP Morgan. First Ledger congratulates him on this honor...

Friends & Family,

All my best wishes to you for a fantastic 2007!

With the barrage of negative press and even worst statistics describing the
plight of African-American men, I'm pleased to share with you the pending
release of "Pop: A Celebration of Black Fatherhood" by Carol Ross
www.popbycarolross.com . The book, due for mass distribution in March
2007, is a wonderful photographic proclamation of the excellence and
struggles of black men from all walks of life who give exhaustive efforts
to create broader possibilities for their children and families. This is
important imagery (for obvious reasons).

Recently, I was surprised to learn that my daughter, Kira Iman, and I were
selected to be featured on the book's cover! For me, it is an amazing way
to further celebrate the joy of my first born ... and gives my wife, Lela,
and me great anticipation for all that's yet to come upon the arrival of
our second daughter expected in late-February 2007 (God Willing).

I was pleased to have been asked to be apart of this project and wanted to
share the fruits of Carol's great labor with you and your family. Please
forward to those whom you think would have interest.

My best regards and well wishes,

Shaka

Please print the attached reply form and mail it in with your check to:
Coyote REP, P.O. Box 655, New York, NY 10159
For more information, E-mail info@coyoterep.org
www.coyoterep.org


Donnetta Lavinia Grays
Managing Director
Coyote REP
P.O. Box 655
New York, NY 10159
917.783.3662 (c)
www.coyoterep.org
www.donnettagrays.com

Our ubiquitous clandestine informants told us yesterday that Congressman Charles Rangel, Chairman of the Ways and Means committee and Grammy winner Kanye West will be honorees at the 100 Black Men Gala this 27th Annual Benefit Gala of 100 Black Men, which will be held during Black History Month, on Thursday, February 22, 2007.

Other honorees this year include Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, Football star Curtis Martin, Gospel Singer Kirk Franklin, Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Ian Moore, with Host Emcees, Lori Stokes of ABC-TV and Maurice Dubois of CBS-TV.


Musician Kanye West with Rapper Talib Kweli

Halle Berry drops her new look at the 33rd Annual People's Choice Awards on
January 9th at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

For all of you Red Sox fans (who dare to live in the area), congratulations to Deval Patrick on his election as the first black governor of Massachusetts and the nation's second black governor (believe it or not) on Thursday, January 4, 2007, in Boston. Massachusetts.


(L to R) Diane Patrick and Governor Deval Patrick

Editors' Note -

If this weeks' content seems a little lite, we hear you. Things have been mighty slow in and around the Big Apple aside from that funky smell coming from New Jersey yesterday. For you out of towners, log onto the New York Daily News for their take on the overpowering stench that gripped commuters on Wednesday morning.


http://www.nydailynews.com/news/local/story/360272p-306992c.html

After President Bush makes his speech this evening on the new strategy for Iraq, we are sure the news will again pick up. Now that the cold weather is back in the Northeast, I would keep an eye on oil barrel prices (then again we are not stock brokers so please don't sue us). Also, we offer our condolenses and share the pain of all the Jets and Giants fans in the tri-state area. At least the Knicks are doing better.

Best,
Blair Smith
Publisher
First Ledger

As America mourns the death of President Gerald R. Ford (1913-2006), many have come to realize his highly significant role in history. In 1974, President Ford was a much maligned leader for many of his decisions including the full pardon of President Richard M. Nixon. This is in stark contrast to what we know now about the results of Ford's choices and their positive effect on the future. Among other things, we can thank him for ATM Machines and Adjustable Rate Mortgages. The decisions President Ford made were the right ones for those of us in the present who now benefit from his tough choices.

Everyone at First Ledger is excited about the New Year and a new opportunity for this publication. First Ledger Media, LLC will come to life in 2007 and with it, the opportunity to provide a voice to a largely ignored but significant segment of the population. Our readers come from a generation with a growing influence on business, social organizations and community outreach that embraces both pride and self respect in themselves and in their children.

We believe 2007 will be a year of excitement and change for our readers and we hope you will sit back and enjoy.

Best,
Blair Smith
Publisher,
First Ledger

First Ledger has a lot of respect and admiration for this artist, as well as fans among our staff and correspondents. Any opportunity to report on the music industry's "best business model" for success is always welcome.



Before the New Year, R & B Superstar and University of Penn alumni John Legend joined several of his famous (and not so famous) friends on December 28th at Manhattan hotspot Stereo for his 28th Birthday celebration. Among the revelers were usual suspects Kanye West and Talib Kweli.


Sony Urban Music Honcho Lisa Ellis

Music's Living Legend James Brown died of heart failure on Christmas Day. Best known to his fans as "The Godfather of Soul", James Brown was one of the greatest pioneers of contemporary music, influencing rhythm & blues, jazz, soul, gospel, and hip-hop. Without question, he will be missed all over the world.


The horse drawn carriage carrying James Brown's body was ushered down 125th Street and taken to the landmark Apollo Theater.


Thousands of fans and onlookers flooded the streets of Harlem to catch a glimpse of music legend James Brown one last time.

Uptown got more than it's usual share of celebrity visits this week for the holidays. Tennis sensation James Blake headlined the All-Star event "Serving Up the Holidays'" yesterday at the Harlem Armory. This annual fundraiser benefits the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program and was promoted by (our friend) nightlife impresario turned PR Guru Pamela Pickins. We heard that those who came out got a great first hand lesson from the greatest that tennis has to offer. Parents and kids were not disappointed. Neither were James Blake's female fans.


(L to R) Thomas Blake, Patrick McEnroe, former New York Mayor David Dinkins, John McEnroe, James Blake and Jim Courier