MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

I hope you all have had a great and memorable summer.  We are continuing to make positive changes at SYM, and we will let you know each time we make a new addition to our site.

We have recently started a MySpace page.  Add us as your friend at http://www.MySpace.com/simplyyoumagazine 

We feel we've put together a great little newsletter this month.  Check out our book reviews, useful links, and informative articles.

Best wishes, to those of you in middle, junior high, high school, or college as you start a new school year!

Love,
Your SYM Editor

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http://www.StatewideSewing.com

http://www.IHaveHopeToday.com

http://www.BohnWebDesign.com/loss.html

We love this musical artist:  http://www.myspace.com/jessiedaniels  Check out her MySpace page!

FUN SITE:  http://www.animaxinteractive.com/banana/Games/tictactoe.html 

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A simple action can make a big difference.

Christine Fernandez

August 4, 2007

Many people hear the word abstinence and say "what is that?" Abstinence means declining bad choices such as sex before marriage and the use of alcohol and drugs. Abstinence is one’s own choice, it is important to protect your integrity, body, mind, and heart from various consequences of negative choices. Sure, no cure has been discovered yet for HIV/ AIDS and other STDS; however, what society doesn’t seem to know is that there is a way to lower the spread of such diseases. Why is the world so deep in incurable diseases? Because few abstinence programs exist to educate and spread the knowledge that abstaining from unhealthy decisions is the right thing to do.

Society has become so corrupted that having sex at a young age has become an expectation. Society looks down upon teenagers because of all of the bad choices we make; however, who in reality pressures us to these choices? In reality, society and the media impact how teens think, feel, and act. It is true that "sex sells". Advertisements, magazines, and television shows all incorporate sex into their plots to attract an audience. Marriage is portrayed as negative and as a holdback and sex is being portrayed as something you can forget, something just for fun instead. Its original significance of it being a special gift a husband and wife have to offer each other has diminished. The media is a bad role model for it portrays sex, drugs, and alcohol as healthy choices when in truth these options can restrain you on achieving your goals and dreams.

Believe it or not, there is way more to life than sex and drugs. If you yearn for a successful future, now is the time to start making healthy choices. We can change the horrid image society has on teens through one action: abstinence.

Do you need support with making healthy choices? You should join an abstinence program. Not only will you learn about yourself through self-control, trust, abstinence, responsibility, and self-respect, but you will create strong and encouraging relationships. Don’t be afraid to protect your right to a healthy life. With a little inspiration and support, we can change society, and little by little, we can make a difference in this corrupted world.

You can reach your highest potential through abstinence!

Do you have a strong stance on an issue?  Want to see your work published at SYM?  Use our Submission Form to submit your stories & ideas!

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Check out this book today!

Partially Human

From the creative writing talent of Dwayne G. Anderson, Infinity Publishing has brought forth "Partially Human," a general fiction novel for teens and young adults.

Partially Human is the ultimate story about the power of true friendship, compassion, loyalty, love, and finding your place in society if you are "different." Many of the characters each face an issue of everyday society, something that many people experience throughout their lives.

Partially Human is the story of Joshua Plofhard, a teenage good samaritan from Los Angeles, one of the city's most beloved citizens, his relationship with the people around him, and how his life is turned upside-down when it is revealed that he carries the genes of a dying alien species in his body. As he struggles to pick up the pieces of his shattered life with help from his mother, friends, girlfriend, and a few others who come to sympathize with his plight, he learns many important lessons about friendship, love, acceptance, all while attempting to stay ahead of an assassin, notorious for killing those looked down upon by society who has marked him for death.

The author, Dwayne G. Anderson was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome at age 16, and his experiences with "being different" gave him the inspiration to write Partially Human, which is available at Amazon and the general fiction section of Infinity Publishing's online bookstore http://www.bbotw.com

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"Lost and Found" marks Ledisi’s first outing with a major label and Verve has high hopes for the 16-track release

On Tuesday August 28th 2007, The Verve Music Group will release LOST AND FOUND, a stellar 16-track body of work from Ledisi, the critically-acclaimed soul vocalist who first came to attention of the music-loving public with her two self-produced and independently released CDs –2000’s Soulsinger and 2003’s Feeling Orange But Sometimes Blue.

Ledisi (whose name means "to bring forth" in the Yoruba language of Nigeria) has been known for delivering electrifying and memorable live performances, and over the course of her career she has earned the respect of fans and music writers alike. Now, with Verve’s release of LOST AND FOUND, Ledisi will have the opportunity to further develop and expand her fan base, and share the gift of her r&b, jazz-influenced musical style with a wider audience.

When urban adult contemporary radio latched onto Ledisi’s cover (produced by Rex Rideout) of the Luther Vandross single, "My Sensitivity (Gets In The Way)," from Forever, For Always, For Luther the 2004 Verve/GRP all-star tribute to the late R&B icon, listeners new to Ledisi’s unique vocal skills embraced her immediately. Verve took notice. It had become clear that Ledisi had established herself as an artist with an exceptional vocal gift and Verve, long-known as a laboratory for nurturing emerging talent, signed her. "I have three reasons why I decided to make the leap to a major label: The first reason is I like the idea of Verve Records being a jazz label, so when I grow musically, I can develop into what is natural to me…singing jazz. The second reason is I wanted to continue to feel free to be an artist under a major label’s umbrella. At Verve they allow me to be myself," says Ledisi. And the third and final reason, I want a wider audience to hear and appreciate my older recordings."

LOST AND FOUND showcases the multi-talented artist who co-produced all of the songs with veteran music producer/composer Rex Rideout, Jamey Jaz, Mano Hanes, Lorenzo Johnson, and her longtime producing and writing partner Sundra Manning, with whom she formed LeSun Music the independent label which released her two earlier projects.

Each song on LOST AND FOUND is a poignant look at life and love in all its phases – whether it’s an examination of what it means to fall in love with one’s "Best Friend," or the disappointment and sense of defeat that accompanies the decision to call it quits, "I Tried,"(which features Errol Cooney on guitar), or the sensual, R&B-drenched "In The Morning," each track expresses a particular point-of-view and is an honest outpouring of Ledisi’s heart – both as an artist and as a woman. The first single, "Alright," is a life-affirming message of comfort, warmth, and reassurance that will remind the listener that no matter what, in the end, everything will be alright. The title track features Ledisi’s textured vocals showcased against the simple accompaniment of Rex Rideout on piano and Karen Briggs on violin.

LOST AND FOUND is a sonic mélange of jazz, classic R&B, and scat, all fused with rib-thumping bottom notes of unadulterated funk and gospel, and Ledisi moves fluidly between these genres, mixing it up to create a flavorful aural Gumbo that is melodically lush, lyrically appealing and unabashedly soulful. After hearing it, music aficionados will understand why Stephen Holden of The New York Times said: "Her voice is her own portable playground."

Nate Herr, General Manager of The Verve Music Group enthused: "Artists like Ledisi come along so rarely. She is a peerless singer whose many talents are matched only by her remarkable spirit. Verve is a label with an incredibly rich legacy, and Ledisi is the kind of artist who will enhance that legacy in the years to come."

Prior to recording LOST AND FOUND, Ledisi made the move from her home base of Oakland to New York where she played a pivotal role in inspiring characters and musical compositions during the development of Oprah Winfrey’s stage adaptation of THE COLOR PURPLE. More recently, Ledisi performed "Blues in the Night" as part of the talent line-up that appeared in the PBS special "We All Love Ella." Ledisi’s cover of "Blues in the Night" was previously recorded for the companion CD with Phil Ramone serving as the project’s executive producer.

Later this year, Ledisi will appear in Leatherheads, a feature film starring George Clooney.

To hear her songs, check out her MySpace page at:  http://www.myspace.com/ledisi 

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