The Baltimore Times

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This week we are highlighting a book about Juices and Smoothies, an independent film maker who has worked with Spike Lee, an entrepreneur in Baltimore who has a flair for vintage clothing, and eating fresh and healthy— since more and more people are concerned about their health.

Book of the week: “Big Book of Juices & Green Smoothies” by Cherie Calbom, MS,CN People are spending millions of dollars on pills, exercise and food programs, all in the name of being healthy. Doctors are recommending that people include more fresh fruits and vegetables into their diet. One of the latest trends is juicing and smoothies.

“For decades, people with acute medical conditions and those striving for optimum health have turned to juicing nutrient-dense ingredients,” says Calbom. Her new book is full of juicing tips, tricks and recipes. Calbom adds, “You can supplement your diet with a glass of fresh juice, or go on a days-long cleansing ‘juice feast’ and you can use different combinations of ingredients to improve your mood or boost your energy or even help alleviate physical ailments.”

For more information or to purchase the book, visit: www.juiceladycherie.com

Films: Lionel Cineas is a filmmaker, writer and director soon to be discovered by the masses. Using personal stories or events that he may have witnessed or talked about, Cineas is set to bring another voice of storytelling to black America and especially young people. Even though, he doesn’t have a film in theaters yet, he does have three short films  available for viewing on his website: http://www.cineasfilms.com/. Each film tells a story and shows the consequences for ones actions. Not sugar coated, the shorts are intended to provoke thought and conversation and perhaps motivate people to make different choices.

There is no cost to view the shorts. Please be sure to take a look at them and support independent film directors and producers like Lionel Cineas.

Hot Spot: If you have not visited the North Charles Street area, please take some time to do so, you will be pleasantly surprised. There are thriving NEW businesses owned and operated by young black entrepreneurs. One such business is My Dear Vintage, which is owned by Brandi Foster. “I have always loved vintage clothing. People would

always ask me where I got my clothes from and were in search of something similar. It started as an online store and has now grown into an actually clothing store!” There is something [here] for everyone— men and women, even for the local deejays looking for vinyl.

My Dear Vintage once a month will play host to local “Indie” artist giving them a platform to showcase their talents. Foster says, “This area is just fabulous for the arts and I want to support that movement. I have friends who are artists so I just want to have something specifically designed for them.” My Dear Vintage is located at 2015 N. Charles St in Baltimore City. The store can be found online at: www.mydearvintage.com

Food: Finally, now that people are starting to really care about their health and eating right, there is a company called “HELLO FRESH,” that provides healthy foods recipes for meat-lovers and vegetarians. They take it one step further— they do the shopping   and they send the ingredients

to you in portions for two, four or six people. It’s really fantastic. They provide the recipes along with the calorie count and nutritional information, photographs and instructions that demonstrate how the meal is to be prepared. You can set up the service with as many options as you like. To receive a special code for a $20 discount off your first order courtesy of Hello Fresh, Indie Soul, and the Baltimore Times, visit: www.hellofresh.com.

That’s it for the Indie Soul Review for this week! Make sure you let people know you read this column either in the Baltimore Times or at www.baltimoretimes-online.com.

Indie Soul welcomes your questions and comments. To contact Phinesse Demps, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call: 410-941-9202.

I hope everyone is ready for a new week of Indie Soul hot picks! This week we look at a new eatery, a film from a local attorney; a radio show that really deals with relationships; and a recap of a GREAT spoken word event. Here we go:

Hot Spot: Charles Village has a new place to eat and hang out--The 2110 Bistro located at 2110 N. Charles Street in Baltimore. 2110 Bistro is a wonderful, cozy spot where you can enjoy freshly made food and great conversation. This a perfect place for a first date or business meeting. In the near future the bistro plans to host events like spoken word, music, book signings, and much more. 2110 Bistro is open seven days a week.

Video: Martina Evans’ day job is the law. Her passion is films. To be more exact— making films! “I want to show that women can be very positive role models and make movies that show women, especially black women, in a positive light,” Evans said. Her first film “Four Sundays in Spring,” stars Ayanna Flemings, Morgan Avery McCoy, and Marlena Neal. Evans plays a role in addition to writing and directing the movie that was shot entirely in Baltimore. This is a movie about Jade, a desperate, thirty-something who is convinced she's cursed because of past transgressions and is unable to find a husband. She pressures her friends and her sister to help her undergo a course of events during “Four Sundays In Spring” in an attempt to reverse the curse. It’s a very funny movie. Pick up a copy and support local talent by contacting This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Radio Show: There are so many shows dealing with relationships that sound more like a screamfest than a conversation. There is however one show that has a balanced voice and view on dating and relationships. The show is called “This Date is Over Radio” hosted by Angie Marie with her co-host Kullen. This Date Is Over Radio was launched on The Flow (rocktheflow.com) in the summer of 2012 as an extension of her website and blog: thisdateisover.com. 

Marie says she’s no stranger to bad dates. “Because I had one bad date too many, I created thisdateisover.com for kicks and giggles to give people a platform to share their bad date stories as well,” she says. “When I was presented with the opportunity to host my very own radio show on The Flow, I thought it would be a great way to share my non-expert advice by discussing the complicated subjects of love, dating and relationships while playing music that I love. I'm a HUGE music fan and feel that commercial radio only plays watered or dumbed down music causing a lot of the "real" artists to go unheard. So in addition to having thought-provoking dialogue, my goal is to educate my listeners and remind them that real music lives on ‘This Date Is Over Radio.’” The two-hour show airs every Sunday night at 10:00 p.m.

Spoken Word: I finally had the chance to go to the “A Box of Chocolates-A Poetry Show” hosted by Mike Shellington, on Sunday, April 21. This annual event has grown into a sold-out event. “I wanted to have something that represented us as black people as we should be represented in our own voice,” says Shellington. From the food, which is all natural and healthy, to the music and beautiful dance routines, you have to see it in order to fully appreciate it. This was a very soulful event. If you missed it, put it on your calendar for 2014. It was truly a great show.

That’s it for this week! Enjoy and remember to support local artists and their endeavors.

Indie Soul welcomes your questions and comments. To contact Phinesse Demps, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call: 410-941-9202. 

Indie Soul celebrates first anniversary!

One year ago we introduced the Indie Soul Column designed to focus on independent artists in music, books, films and entrepreneurs. Indie Soul has been well received and we love the feedback and support. We have heard your requests for more articles and we are   moving forward with granting that request. Besides, where would we be without you, the reader?

You can still expect great articles about independent artists, but now you can expect to see our weekly picks from authors, music artist, films, hot spots, and concerts. Once again we THANK YOU and enjoy our picks for this week:

Video: Do black men go to college? Is there a pipeline from school to prison? Are there more black females in college versus black men?  Writer/Director, Janks Morton, tackles these very questions and more in his exciting and educational documentary “Hoodwinked.”

“In order for we as a people to move forward, we have to stop believing and spreading myths about who and what we are as a people” states Janks Morton. The film also features Dr. Buyce Watkins, Dr. Marc Lamount Hill, Dr. Steve Perry, and many others. This film is for the entire family.

Books: Tarinna N. Terrell is a native Washingtonian educated in both public and parochial schools. Terrell is a mother of two beautiful sons, Jalen Alex and Micah Daniel. She is also an addiction counselor, trainer, author, and poet. Terrell is the author and publisher of her first book of poems entitled “It’s Time for You to Soar.” Her poems are thought provoking and inspirational. Her poems are written to encourage, strengthen, and enlighten. “It is very important for me to set a positive example for children and for women. My words are meant to speak to those who may be going through that I have experienced and they need someone who understands them, so my book and poetry is for them,” says Tarinna. To purchase and find out more about Tarrina please visit: www.tarinnaterrell.com

Kiddies: There is a very exciting cartoon for children that stresses education.

“Afro-Man & The Protectors of The Book of Knowledge” (www.afromankidsspace.com). According to AMG Digital Media: We feel it’s important for people to support this venture simply because of the positive images of people of color, we speak a lot about educating our children, however we negate the importance of self-value which we can only get from learning, respecting and understanding our history. Self-image is so important when it comes to education. If you can see it you can be it. We have to place the examples of people of color who have achieved and contributed to society. At the end of every animated series we have a segment entitled the time portal where we highlight the great achievements of our ancestors.”

These are our picks this week. Have a GREAT weekend! See ya next week!

Indie Soul welcomes your questions and comments. To contact Phinesse Demps, call: 410-941-9202 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Music is a way to express oneself through words, rhythms, voice or sound. Music moves us, and sometimes shapes who we are. Music becomes our identity. For independent artist Carronne Jones, music is everything.

“At the age of two years old, I was singing in my family’s church and also with the church band Family Jones. My mother was an incredible singer. She was one of my favorites. So my passion for music has always been there,” Jones said. Her passion blossomed in 2005 when she took part in a singing competition at the Lyric for the Vickie Winans Rising Star Show. “That was my first big show and from there I was ready,” she said.

The dilemma for Jones was whether or not to pursue a solo career. She struggled with the fear she would disappoint her father by not remaining the lead vocalist for the Family Jones— a role she took on when her mother died.

She said she also worried how fellow church members would view her pursuit of a singing career. “At the end of the day,” she said,  “I realized that this was a gift from God. I have this voice and a message that I feel can benefit others.”

The talented singer, writer and producer stepped out on faith, trusted in God and moved forward to take her music ministry to another level.

“I have morals, so I will never do anything that is degrading or goes against what I believe in. My journey as told through my music is one of joy and pain, to being able to release my first CD Expressions,” Jones said.

“Expressions” has something for everyone— Jazz, NeoSoul, Hip Hop and of course Gospel.

“I am very happy and excited about my CD. I had a great producer in Ralph Rogers and a few others who were tremendous in helping put my project together,” she continued.

Jones explained that the hardest step now is getting local radio and retail stores to support her project in the Delaware, Maryland and Virginia area.

“There is so much talent here in Baltimore, D.C. and the surrounding area, that venues, stores and radio really should support the local talent here in the area,” said Jones.

Jones has the support of one local business, The Way Christian Supplies located at 5851 York Road in Baltimore. On Saturday, January 19, 2013 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. it will celebrate her CD release with an autograph signing and listening party. So come on Baltimore come out and support an independent artist!

Indie Soul welcomes your questions and comments. To contact Phinesse Demps, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call: 410-941-9202.