American Airlines is something special in the air and BlackAtlas.com is something I am very excited about. BlackAtlas is “a unique online community that offers travelinsights from an African-American perspective.” Notedjournalist and author Nelson George is American’s Travel Expert-at-Large and he’s traveling the world sharing stories about everything from food, sites and anything else you want to know (Nelson, can I join you?) One interesting component about BlackAtlas is that you can submit your own stories. On its site, Black-Atlas is pegged as the “premiereonline destination for the African-American traveler.” As someone who has just gotten a passport and in three months I have traveled over 30,000 miles, I would encourage anyone to do four things: get a passport, join BlackAtlas. com, become an AAdvantage member and lastly, make me your travel buddy, TODAY! You need to get out and see the world and there’s nothing like building a relationship with an organization that provides quality service and is a good corporate citizen. Over the years, I have met so many AA employees because they are big on volunteerism. I like that!

The first time I heard this brother, I couldn‘t stop laughing! He is thought-provoking, insightful, honest and FUNNY! You may have seen him before on BET, TV ONE or a number of comedy programs. He is currently a writer for Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and Meet the Browns and he also hosted the first season of TV One’s “Black Men Revealed.” David’s VLOGs (video blogs) are hilarious. He tackles everything from Tiger Woods, Kim Whitley, President Obama and Chris Brown to bill collectors, old people in the clubs, racism and homosexuality. One of the cutest VLOGs is about his mother, who is just gorgeous!

Check out his VLOGs anytime you need a good laugh. David A. Arnold is a multi-talented young man who you’re going to be seeing and hearing about more often in the years to come. You should order his GYST shirt because surely you know someone who needs to do just that!

This place is beautiful,thanks to the vision of owner, Billy Glen Greer. From the moment you walk into the facility, you will be pleased. Exquisitely decorated with a Grand piano in the lobby, Harwood 609 is elegant. The Temptations featuring Dennis Edwards performed at the First Anniversary Party this year and Harwood 609 is the place to go, especially for the mature and discriminating crowd. There’s also the live entertainment: In the Mix and Majik Touch. For the past six months, Harwood 609 has been the home of live broadcasts of the award-winning KKDA’s Reporters Roundtable, featuring actor and author Hill Harper, comedian and actress Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Dallas District Attorney Craig Watkins, Dick Gregory, Miles Jaye and many community based organizations. The book signing for CBS 60 Minutes Correspondent Byron Pitts was held at Harwood 609, as well as the fourth 50th Birthday Party for Atty. DeMetris Sampson when she presented a check for $50,000 to Paul Quinn College! This classy place is ideal for small banquets, receptions, meetings, parties and more.

Complimentary valet parking is provided after 6p.m. and for the Sunday Jazz Brunch. You can get your tickets now for the New Year’s Eve Festivities featuring that dynamic group, In the Mix!

Ash Britt Je’-Ne’was founded in 1982 and Sherri Doll Richardson has been committed to providing clients with the best in spa services. She tells you to just “bring your body” and she will take care of everything else! Located in Duncanville, Ash Britt Je’-Ne’ is “a Personal Enhancement/ Spa -Physical Medicine Center” that introduces aromatherapy, massage therapy, and the ancient practice of using essential oils and therapeutic procedures to enhance emotional and physical wellbeing. You’ll feel better just talking to Sherri. Her pleasant personality and beautiful smile sets the stage for an enjoyable experience and hopefully a long-lasting relationship. Ash Britt Je’-Ne’s many services include: Massages, facials, dining, limo service, pedicures, manicures and more. Ash Britt Je’-Ne’ is available for Spa Parties Visiting Ash Britt Je’-Ne’ is an experience and it’s well worth the effort, expense and time!

Thressia Willis, the Director of Sales, has a lot to do with why I send clients and friends to Hotel Indigo. I know that they are in good hands with Tracy and that they will be satisfied. Located at the corner of Harwood and Main streets, Hotel Indigo is within walking distance of the Majestic Theater, shopping and Harwood 609 Restaurant. The décor is fresh and inviting, the beds are SO comfortable and the café has the best pizza! The hotel was renovated in 2006 and since that time everyone from Chuck D and Public Enemy, author and activist Joyce Ann Brown, comedian Dick Gregory, the Whispers, R&B sensation Miles Jaye and actress and comedian Phyllis Yvonne Stickney have stayed at the facility. There’s also the 24-hour Health and Fitness Center with two treadmills, one upright bike, one recumbent bike, two elliptical trainers and a television. Admittedly I have yet to avail myself of those services.

There’s hardly anything that I can think of that is as uncomfortable as needing a good bowel movement, or should I say, cleansing? Back in the early 1990s, Yvonne St. John, who was an on-air personality at K104FM for decades, introduced me to Larry Johnson and Helps Colon Cleansing. Over the years, I have been to Helps for colonics, body wraps, and a number of other services. Talking about bowel movements is not something you hear people talking about often, at least not in public; but we all know that something is wrong if you are not having frequent bowel movements. I like going to Helps because for what I consider to be a very delicate and sometimes embarrassing situation, Mr. Johnson is extremely sensitive, professional and efficient. You’d be surprised what is inside of you and how proper cleansing can improve your quality of life. Helps is a very sterile and private environment and Mr. Johnson ensures a very satisfying experience.

Craig Thomas, O.D., Michael Burton, O.D. and Richard Friedman, O.D. are the men you want to see for quality eye care. The first time I went to First Eye Care was back around 1986 after another eye doctor almost had me in need of a seeing-eye dog, messing around with some defective contact lenses! Dr. Burton took care of my eyes and made sure that I didn’t lose my sight. Since that time I have been able to see well and my glasses always get compliments. They have hundreds of frames that you can choose from and the facility is always clean and pleasing to the eye. There’s a very efficient staff waiting to greet you as soon as you enter the door.

I met Ladonna Jones, now Castro, when she was a sophomore at Duncanville High School and she attended the Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Communicators Urban Journalism Workshop. Over the years, I have grown very fond of this young lady and I am equally proud of her work. She has traveled extensively and speaks several languages fluently. Ladonna’s company produces documentaries, public service announcements, videos and more. You name it, and she can do it. In addition to being a consummate professional, Ladonna has such a pleasing and accommodating personality. She will give you advice to help make your product better, but she is going to respect your wishes and give you what you want. Equally important is her ability to adhere to deadlines! If you check out her website you will see some of her local, national and international projects. She has produced videos on Dick Gregory, veteran journalist Norma Adams Wade, Links Inc., Don’t Believe the Hype Foundation and her travels.

Sankofa is known for elevating the spoken word experience in the Dallas area. Every Saturday night, you have a packed audience to see folks displaying their skills with words and the microphone. For years, Sankofa was located on Martin Luther King Blvd and folks flocked from near and far for the food, and entertainment. When that restaurant closed, the void was excruciatingly painful, but the feeling didn’t last long as it was announced that the microphone would be open again, but this time in Deep Ellum. So now there’s more space, with three areas, on three different floors, and plenty of space. The eclectic menu, complete with vegetarian entrees, is “upscale Cajun Soul cuisine with an emphasis on health conscious ingredients” and is sure to be a delight and just like when it was on the Boulevard, the prices are more than reasonable.