Cha Thorpe — The Navigator

Fashion Fill 3/28/12

March 28, 2012 By Cha Thorpe Leave a Comment

If style was easy then everyone would participate, but in an industry with practically no rules, you can level the playing field. There is no better season to do so than in the sizzling summer time.

This season’s summer fashion is all about comfort in the mind, body and selection. Be sure to select items that are easy to mix and match from day to night and for any occasion. For women’s wear try a long, floor-length, day-time maxi dress; the most popular are strapless or halter topped. So if you have summer school classes to look forward to or are going to the beach for a stroll or to the movies, a long maxi dress will definitely help you put your best foot forward.

For men’s wear for the summer, enough can’t be said about precious cargo, like cargo shorts – an easy, laid back feel for the summer time that any guy can incorporate into his personal look. There is no need to be stuck in the box with just the basic khaki; you are always able to turn your style up with different looks such as distressed accents or a little navy, charcoal and chocolate or even army camo. Pair with a graphic tee by day and a button down by night. Footwear is open for variety as well; sneakers or men’s summer sandals will both work.

If you are need of any fashion inspiration you won’t have to search far; the city of Jacksonville will be hosting the first Jacksonville Fashion Week. The four-day event will be held in various locations within Jacksonville, premiering upcoming designers with everything from swimwear to bridal couture. For more information, times and locations visit Jacksonville.com.

The good thing about the fashion game is that there are no rules, and you can only play your style to the best of your ability. The summer time is quickly approaching, so let the games begin. Ready, set, fashion!

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment

Fashion Fill

March 6, 2012 By Cha Thorpe Leave a Comment

Neon now, neon forever! At least that seems to be the motto for fashion this spring. Electric blues and orgasmic oranges are bursting all over the scene from full ensembles to accessories and cosmetics- fashionable for every fashionista. Great ways to mix and match neon colors, pair with colored jeans or with mute colored accessories.

The 84th Annual Academy Awards aired Feb. 26, and stars shinned on the red carpet for the biggest night in Hollywood. Among those included Jennifer Lopez, wearing a Zuhair Murad gown, the crème and gold linear pattern complimented her curvaceous frame. A winner of the Academy as well as on the red carpet, Octavia Spencer arrived in a Tadashi Shoji gown, beaded and gathered in the middle with a petit train. The best dressed gentlemen of the evening included hip hop producer and rapper Pharrell Williams, looking dapper in a three-piece suit and velvet bow-tie and George Clooney with the classic old Hollywood look of an Armani tuxedo.

While trying to keep up with spring fashion, Fashion Weeks have already ready started for 2012 fall collections in Paris. Designers that have already premiered their fall collections include Christian Dior, Balenciaga and Valentino. Trends show that skin is in, textures such as python and crocodile mixed with backless and high hem lines are going to be the “it” look for this fall.

To keep up with the ever changing trends in fashion big networks such as NBC, VH1 and BET plan to wow the masses by showcasing the best and brightest in the industry. March 21 BET will air their annual Rip the Runway fashion show which includes the hottest fashion designers and musical entertainment for one night only. The same night VH1 will premiere their new reality fashion show House of Consignment, where celebrity’s designer duds will be up for grabs to be sold in a high end consignment shop.

NBC is also set to launch their reality contestant based show, Fashion Star hosted by fashion forward personality Elle Macpherson, airing March 13. The show will involve aspiring designers competing to have their collections added to mega department stores.

As the fashion world continues to turn, celebrity wedding dress designer Vera Wang has teamed up with Zales: The Diamond Store and will design a line of engagement and wedding jewelry.

A new notch on rap, superstar Kanye West’s with his fashion frenzy Gucci belt and plans to add shoe designer to his resume. West teamed with Zanotti to design a pair of tribal inspired stiletto heels with the hefty price tag of $6,000. In the past West has collaborated with Louis Vuitton in designing signature sneakers.

Whether you are saving up for pricey high heels or at home rooting for your favorite up and coming designers its clear that the fashion industry will be able to supply you will every source of fashionable inspiration.

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment

All-Star Ball Out

February 28, 2012 By Cha Thorpe Leave a Comment

February 24, 2012 kicked off the NBA All-Star Weekend where the best NBA basketball players from the West met the best from the East for a showdown in Orlando, Fl. Among those players where Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony just to name a few that showed up to show out on and off the court for the weekend.

The weekends included the All-Star Dunk Contest, Shaquill O’Neil’s All-Star Comedy Jam, and an array of high profile day and night club events and the grand final East vs. West All-Star game Sunday night.

This year marked the 61^st Annual NBA All-Star game and it was nothing short of the name. The biggest names in sports and entertainment showed up for all the event related activities, everyone who is anyone was there.

Coined as the “Rising Stars Game” which went to a “Team Shaq vs. Team Chuck” for this year’s format, as opposed to the traditional rookies vs. sophomores format, which was a huge success, and also proving that the NBA lockout did not keep away fans support and enthusiasm when it came to coming out and coming out of pocket.

Allegedly tickets for the game ranged from $100 all the way to over $2000, and if you were looking for fun afterwards there was plenty to do but with a pretty price tags. The city of Orlando calculated that over $80 million was made for the weekend with merchandise sale, hotel and lodging as well as food sales, a much need boost to the city’s economy.

“I think it was great that All-Star Weekend was in Orlando this year because we aren’t really considered to be a popular city like LA or Las Vegas for an event like this. It brought a lot of big names out and it got the wheels turning for money to be made in the city,” said Jazmine Jackson an Orlando resident.

A statement released to the press from the Mayor of Orlando, Buddy Dyer also commented on the economic boom that the four day event brought to the city saying it put Orlando on the map and that type of exposure could not be bought.

And the city wants to keep that ball rolling and is already in talks of bringing the event back in 2015, which is the earliest it could return due to locations already being confirmed two years in advance.

The final event, The All-Star Game aired on television Sunday night and drew in the highest ratings since 2005 final game, even despite the Academy Awards airing on the same night.

The game was heated and full of fun among the players who play the game the best. Scores trailed each other most of the night but the West prevailed with the final score152 to 149. Though not everyone walked away winners the weekend was nothing short of “winning”.

Filed Under: Basketball, Features, Sports

Fashion Fill: Grammys

February 21, 2012 By Cha Thorpe Leave a Comment

Everything that glitters really is gold and red and blue, and this year’s 54th annual Grammys was no exception. The red carpet sparkled with stone, sequins and metallic.

The nights leading ladies included Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Carrie Underwood. Each lady glimmered in the flashing lights of the camera as they strolled down the red carpet.

Some ladies of the evening opted for a simple, sexy silhouette. Among those were Rihanna in a low cut, plunging neckline, backless Armani gown that she helped design.

Amber Rose glowed in a yellow satin gown, recently added to the Versace collection.

Daring to be different, Fergie dazzled down the carpet looking lovely in a lace John Paul Gaultier dress.

One dress that turned heads and had the critics talking was that of female rapper, superstar Nicki Minaj. She wore a crimson, nun-like ensemble, which was appropriate because it tied into her performance later that evening, as she exercised the “demons” of her alter ego “Roman” on stage.

The evening also brought out the best as in best dressed for the gentlemen as well. Country singer Blake Shelton displayed true southern charm wearing a custom made vest and suit, while hip-hop newcomer Wiz Khalifa sported a white Dolce and Gabbana tuxedo jacket and black slacks. Maroon 5 front man and lead singer Adam Levine rocked the red carpet in a Tom Ford ensemble. Levine’s look featured a navy blue, striped dress shirt and polka-dotted pocket square.

Honorable mentions of the evening included the couples. Songstress Alicia Key’s and husband, mega-producer and rap mogul Swizz Beatz, complimented each other nicely both in black and added ascent pieces to their looks. Keys wore a giant gold-plated statement necklace while Swizz wore a purple velvet Tom Ford jacket and bow tie.

Soulful singer John Legend and his fiancé Chrissy Teigen also graced the red carpet looking stunning and sophisticated with Legend in a deep chocolate brown suite and tie with Teigen by his side in a long sleeved black gown with a high split.

The night brought out the best, worst and do-right questionable fashion forwardness of the stars, but never the less this year’s Grammys was a platform to display style at its finest hour.

Filed Under: Features

Whitney Houston

February 21, 2012 By Cha Thorpe Leave a Comment

The world lost a vocal legend on Feb. 11, 2012. Songstress Whitney Houston passed at the age of 48 to the shock of family, friends and fans.

Houston was discovered nonresponsive in her Beverly Hilton hotel room where she was pronounced dead at approximately 3:46 p.m. Pacific Eastern Time just one day before the 54th annual Grammys where she was to be a guest.

Funeral services were held for the superstar Feb.18 in Newark, New Jersey, the singer’s hometown, at New Hope Baptist Church where Houston first debuted her singing talent in front of the congregation at the tender age of 11.

There was an outpour of fans and onlookers outside of the church, but inside sat family, close friends and her peers among the music and entertainment industry. Among those in attendance were Mariah Carey, Tyler Perry, CeCe Winnas and Oprah Winfrey to name a few.

Singers Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder and R. Kelly were among those that performed during the four-hour long service as close friends and professional mentor Clive Davis spoke about her.

“You wait for a voice like that for a lifetime. You wait for a face like that, a smile like that, a presence like that for a lifetime,” he said.

Close friend and co-star of their 1992 blockbuster “The Bodyguard” Kevin Costner also shared words of comfort during the service and told of his and Houston’s work relationship and close friendship through the years.

The late singer’s ex-husband Bobby Brown was also in attendance for the service, consoling the daughter he shared with Houston during their 15-year marriage, Bobbi Kristina. Brown, however, departed from the service, but before he left he touched Houston’s casket.

At the closing of the service, Houston’s rendition of the song that transformed her into a musical phenomenon, “I Will Always Love You,” played as her mother led the casket out of the church along with her daughter.

Finally Houston’s body was laid to rest in a private burial service Feb. 19 in Westfield N.J.’s Fairview Cemetery. The singer was placed in her final resting place along side her late father John Houston.

Filed Under: Features

Fashion Fill

February 7, 2012 By Cha Thorpe Leave a Comment

As the winter chill leaves the air, it is safe to say we can all prepare for a fresh, fun and fashionable spring. Contrasting bold colored pieces together will be the “it” new look for the season, creating a vibrant look. With spring budding and ready to bloom, fashionistas will be able to fill their wardrobe with flesh tones, and – for the more daring – sheer is here.

Anything that may be sheer, flowing and breathable like lace and even organza will give out that extra umph. With the upcoming season of spring there are a few classic key pieces that are a must. A crisp white, collared, button down shirt is a great versatile piece that can be easily altered. For a more casual feel, roll or cuff the sleeve. It can even be paired with cargo short and any kind of denim for ladies and gentlemen.

The look can even be transformed from day to night when matched with black dress slacks or a pencil fitted knee length skirt. If it’s in need of a little flare, you guys look to the foot work and try a pair of soft leather loafers with the outfit or even a pair of color coordinated boat shoes. Ladies can do the same thing by adding a thin neon belt around the waist or a large, lavish, faux corsage or single flower on the shirt.

Another great key piece for a stylish spring is eyewear. Nothing is worse than having the sun blinding you while you are trying to enjoy your season. By popular demand, Ray Brand shades have become all the rage in recent years for men, women and even children. So if you are soaking up sun or just out and about, make sure your eyewear ties in to your own fabulous spring look!

The fashion world keeps spinning, and in recent news Project Runway Season Four winner Christian Siriano is teaming up with Nordstrom for a bridal collection. The young designer tweeted the first image from the collection, with the retail tag of $2,375.

Also, Public Relations firm KCD is launching digitalfashionshows.com, a site expected to give editors and buyers much needed relief during the hectic show season. The website will broadcast pre-taped fashion shows during fashion week for those whose show schedules are to the max. Prabal Gurung’s ICB collection will be the first show to hit the site come Feb. 15.

Finally, American-born Muslim designer Nailah Lymus is in the works of opening a modeling agency for Muslim models called Underwraps. The agency is set to launch at the beginning of New York Fashion Week this year. Lymus is a self-taught designer that started in the fashion industry with a boutique internship and turned her sights to starting a model agency for models of Muslim and Middle Eastern descent.

With the season’s change and an array of explosive events in fashion and a stylish world, we can just simply ask that we are not led into stylish temptation but are delivered from fashion faux pas and evil.

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, Editorial

Open Mic Night

November 30, 2011 By Cha Thorpe Leave a Comment

Photo courtesy of Scott Delvecchio

Dolphin Productions hosted an open mic night in Nellie’s on Nov. 14, having everything from magic tricks to original music from students on campus. It was a night filled with fun and talent.

At the starting time of 7 p.m. spotlights lit the stage, signaling students to tune in and play witness to their peers that braved the stage. The atmosphere for the evening was cool and relaxed as the first performer took to the mic.

Nellie’s was filled with an array of all different types of students drawn in by curiosity but remaining to support the performers. If a person wasn’t shy he or she could have stepped up and stepped out as the next performer took the stage.

Performing first with his band Hi Spartacus, junior Jay Angel thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

“For my first musical performance I think it went over pretty well,” he said. “I wasn’t booed off stage.”

One performer had the crowd going as he performed his rendition of two hip-hop favorites, “What’s Your Fantasy” and “Country Grammar,” on his acoustic guitar. The audience sang along and enjoyed his remixes.

“I had a blast. I really enjoyed all of the performances, and I think this is a great campus activity for students to have an outlet to express ourselves and showcase our talent,” said junior Kristine Brown.

Another crowd pleaser was sophomoreShane Kennedy, or “Insane Shane” as he’s called on campus. He used his hands to perform trickery such as card tricks and optical illusions for the audience and was also skilled and confident enough to have an assistant and volunteer.

“I think it went fairly well,” said Kennedy. “Not one of my bests, though. I made a poor choice regarding the tricksI chose. The ones I did were more for up close rather than a stage layout. I felt like the tricks were hard to see from the audience, but the rower’s were there, and they made it fun, and I always feel confident when they’re around. The tricks I did worked, and the crowd semmed to like me. So overall, I’d call it a success.”

The night concluded with a personal collection of songs from a performer and his guitar. He set the tone for the completion of a successful event.

Open Mic Night was an overall success with a great turn out and even greater display of talent. The night was brimming with memorable moments, but above all was the fellowship and support among students – just good clean fun.

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment

Black Friday

November 30, 2011 By Cha Thorpe 1 Comment

The annual Black Friday festivities that took place on Nov. 25 swarmed stores through out the United States with eager, buzzing crowds of people, all caught up in the mayhem for merchandise.

Big retailers anticipated massive numbers of shoppers to turn out for the event, but more happened that night than customers and retailers imagined. Line cutting and elbowing were the least of their worries.

In some cases, sales started the moment the clock struck midnight. Shoppers lined up and camped outside of stores the day before, prepared to get their hands on this year’s hottest items.

All of the pandemonium led to chaos from New York to California. Reports poured in from all over the nation of cases of violence breaking out in retail locations. Shoppers meant business and stores raked in unprecedented amounts of sales revenue, despite the blow-ups and beat-downs among the consumers.

Law enforcement was forced to intervene in a number of cases, all in the name of a discount. Injuries, accidents and arrests took place at dozens of retail locations across the nation.

“People were acting like they would never shop at another sale again,” said Black Friday shopper and JU junior Tashan Williams.

Saving money is at the forefront of many American minds. With the current state of the U.S. economy and retail marketing campaigns, shoppers were encouraged to partake in the shopping extravaganza. Yet, the results were lackluster.

“It was like a warzone, people fighting and being pepper sprayed. It was just no fun this year, and I’ve seen better sales,” said Orlando resident Sheronne Gilchrist.

Not all was lost; this year’s Black Friday had an estimated $11.4 billion in total sales, a rise of 6.6 percent from last year, according to the retail-data consultant ShopperTrak via USA Today.

Hot ticket merchandise such as Apple products and the latest additions in video games such as XBOX 360 and Wii flew off of shelves across the States.

Some shoppers, however, decided to play it safe this year and take advantage of Cyber Monday, shopping online as an alternative to big crowds and big problems at their local malls or shopping plazas.

“It’s never been my thing to go out the malls, especially on Black Friday. If its online and I can order it, I’d rather go that route. It such a convenience,” said Columbus, Ohio resident Adam Claytor.

Whether customers were bobbing and weaving through the hustle and bustle of the Black Friday frenzy or they filled their online carts, for many holiday shoppers it was serious business and they were ready to rumble.

Filed Under: News

Michael Jackson’s Doc Found Guilty

November 15, 2011 By Cha Thorpe Leave a Comment

Photo Illustration by Grace Singer

Mixed emotions continue to swirl from a Nov. 7verdict finding Dr. Conrad Murray guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

Jackson’s death came as a shock to the public and droves of fans when news of his death broke June 25, 2009. Jackson, 50, was preparing to embark on his final music tour; a tour that would never happen due to a fatal dose of the anesthetic Propofol.

Dr. Conrad Murray, 58, was Jackson’s personal physician and allegedly administrated the injection of the medication to Jackson in efforts to help him sleep. Murray took the job as Jackson’s doctor weeks before Jackson’s anticipated world tour, “This Is It”, was supposed to start. Several other doctors declined.

After six weeks of arguments Murray was ultimately found guilty and could face up to four years in state prison and lose his medical license. However, some think that Murray could walk away with just a slap on the wrist.

According to District Attorney Steven Cooley, in a public statement released to the media, it is going to be difficult to place Murray in prison due to the fact that he has no prior criminal record and the the current overcrowding of prison facilities.

Despite those facts, Judge Michael Pastor denied requests by Murray’s lawyers to allow him to remain free while awaiting sentencing on Nov. 29. Judge Pastor stated that public safety demanded that Murray be remanded to jail, unavoidably.

“This is a crime where the end result was the death of a human being,” Pastor said.

As the verdict was read, Murray revealed little to no emotion. Members of Jackson’s family were present including his parents Joe and Katherine Jackson, as well as his siblings Latoya, Rebbie and Jermaine. Family friends Rick and Kathy Hilton, heirs to the Hilton Hotel franchise, were also in attendance to show their support.

Jury members took approximately nine hours to come to a final verdict, deliberating for six hours the first day and almost three hours on the second. Overall Murray was charged with administering an anesthetic, not properly supervising his patient and not properly aiding Jackson when he stopped breathing.

Once the news broke that Murray was found guilty the swarm of fans and onlookers that gathered in front of the court house unleashed a roar of cheers and relief.. Still, uncertainty linger.

“There’s more”, Joe Jackson simply said as he exited the courtroom.

Some feel as if justice has not been served and that the court proceedings were more of a spectacle than an even fairway to unveil right and wrong. Many of Jackson’s fans felt like Murray’s punishment was not severe enough.

“Dr. Murray knew that the medicine he was giving Michael was dangerous and should have only been given in a hospital setting. He knew what he was doing and how to do it, but he chose to do wrong. He’s guilty as charged,” said Jackson fan and student of Florida State College Kris Blackwell.

“I don’t feel Conrad Murray is a murderer. A murderer is someone that has intent to kill. I just think that he did not exercise good medical judgment and was under a lot of pressure,” shared University of Central Florida pharmaceutical major Gabbi Norman.

This is a story that it seems will never be concluded. There are too many questions that have yet to be answered, and fates that are yet to be determined. However, one thing seems certain – that in this matter this is not it.

Filed Under: News

School Spirit At Its Finest

November 3, 2011 By Cha Thorpe Leave a Comment

Photo courtesy of Brett Durda

A good, old-fashioned pep rally was held at the riverfront as Jacksonville University continued with tradition on Thursday Oct. 20. The event was filled with fun and anticipation for the main event on Saturday, JU’s homecoming football game.

The pep rally was everything it was supposed to be: loud, crowded, pumped up and fun. It was a sea of green, gold and white there to support JU’s football team and show their school spirit.

The festivities included music, fun and entertainment for students and returning alumni. Performances for the evening included Greek organizations such as the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, as well as other Greek organizations, the JU dance team and even faculty got into the fun challenging the dance team to a dance off, all in the spirit of homecoming.

The MC for the evening, VonHayes Switzer, kept everyone enthused with his quick and quirky comedy and one-liners as the night went on. He made sure to inform everyone in attendance about the rest of JU’s homecoming events roster and announced finalist for Big Man on Campus and Miss Dolphina.

“The pep rally was a surprisingly good addition to the homecoming events. I really enjoyed myself,” said senior Rachel Moore.

JU’s victorious football team took to the stage later in the evening to encourage everyone to attend Saturday’s game, as they would be taking on Davidson College to bring in a homecoming win.

“I was really happy to see all the different organizations come out, PanHellenic Council as well as IFC, and show school spirit; that’s what JU needs. It shows unity with the students on campus, support of faculty and it always shows how even after graduated students have gone on into the real world they still find their way back to their alma mater, back home to JU,” said senior Shakira Ballantyne.

Whether you were a student, faculty member or returning alumni in attendance at JU’s homecoming pep rally you couldn’t resist catching the spirit it was in the air.

Filed Under: Features