Tonight at Worthy Headquarters, the entire team dined in on Papa Johns Pizza. “Papa” has a delicious new meatball and pepperoni special for $11 that our team simply couldn’t refuse. Unfortunately, this may be our last Papa John’s Pizza for a while. The Papa, it seems is a Big Mitt Romney supporter and a big opponent of the President’s healthcare proposal. Papa John claims that the measure will dramatically increase his costs and he threatens that he may have to cut hours for his employees or lay them off entirely. He charges that local chains may have to penalize their employees to keep pace with the monstrous costs incurred from compliance with Obamacare. Ofcourse these dire claims stand in contrast with the companies recent profit statements. The Company has seen it’s profits increase significantly since 2008, when the President took office. According to the companies own statements, the Obama economy has been pretty good to the “Papa”.

“We had an outstanding second quarter as our system continued its strong sales momentum with significant comparable sales increases for our North American and International operations,” said Papa John’s founder, chairman, and chief executive officer, John Schnatter.

Second quarter 2012 revenues were $318.6 million, an 8.5% increase from second quarter 2011 revenues of $293.5 million. Second quarter 2012 net income was $14.8 million compared to second quarter 2011 net income of $12.1 million

The Question remains for our newsroom and perhaps, your home, should we continue buying Papa Johns Pizza. Papa John is making a blatantly political argument. He is utilizing, selective and questionable data and logic to make his case. He is injecting politics into our Food. He has a right to his opinion but should we continue supporting someone who threatens, unnecessarily to cut his workers hours and wages-when his company is awash in profits. Obamacare doesn’t even take effect for another year and yet, the founder of Papa Johns is making threats against his own workers, on the basis of ideology and not fact. We must decide if his, is an agenda we feel comfortable supporting! Ofcourse we also must consider that everyone has a right to his or her own opinion. We should be cautious about penalizing people or businesses for expressing opinions we disagree with. Do we really want to add to the polarization consuming America’s political discourse by refusing to patronize anyone that fails to vote for our chosen political faction? This is up to readers to decide. We will simply add that the Meatball and Pepperoni Pizza is absolutely, fantastic!

 

America’s right wing has been reeling after a devastating loss in the General Election. The re-election of President Obama has prompted significant introspection from many in the conservative intelligencia. They are signaling evolution on issues ranging from Immigration to Tax hikes on the wealthy. Unfortunately, the right hasn’t lost it’s appetite for conspiracy theories. The latest conspiracy theory concerns disgraced General David Patraeus, whom recent revelations have shown was engaged in a long extra-marital affair. The General submitted his resignation after an FBI Probe into the affair was initiated after hostile and harassing emails were exchanged between the Patraeus mistress and a perceived rival for the General’s affection. The right wing, has found the timing of the announcement questionable. Glenn Beck has charged that ” Petraeus Was Set Up”. The general, after-all was set to testify about the incidents in Bengazi which resulted in the death of a U.S. Ambassador. The right, has held that the real story behind Bengazi has been hidden as well. They argue that, “perhaps” Petraeus was going to expose the truth behind Bengazi and as a result, he was set up—-with a gorgeous mistress, 20 yrs his junior.

H&M has finally come to Lincoln Road in Miami. The store hosted its grand opening VIP party on November 7th Wednesday. The night proved to be a star studded evening and featured performances from Flo Rida. Chase Crawford of CW’s Gossip Girl, Paz de la Huerta of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, Adriana De Moura and Lisa Hochstein of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Miami were just some of the big names that graced the 24,000 square foot store.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The editor-in-chief of Worthy magazine had the opportunity to sit down and interview the woman responsible for the style behind the man who is known as Miami royalty.

 

Calyann Barnett is the stylist who single-handedly elevated Dwayne Wade’s style. However there is more to Barnett than Dwayne Wade.

Barnett’s work can be seen on the cover of B.O.B latest album as well. The stylist has worked with countless stars, creating her own galaxy of style. Barnett has worked with everyone from Michael Vick, Shaggy, Tyrese and Keyshia Cole. Her resume of work even branches all the way out to coveted magazine editorial spreads.

 The winning equation

“It all comes down to integrity You must always consider what your client wants but stay true to your style as well,” Barnett said. “What has contributed to my success is doing what feels real to me. I am always myself.”

Barnett describes her style as being a reflection of her culture and surroundings.

“I draw inspiration from my surroundings: New York, Miami, Los Angeles as well as caribbean colors and textures,” Barnett said. “I would describe my style as very eclectic, kind of all over the place- an effortless mess.”

There is no denying that Barnett’s groundbreaking work with Dwayne Wade has catapulted the stylist’s name into the limelight and resulted in a new outlook on athlete’s style.

“Designer’s are realizing how involved athletes are becoming in fashion,” Barnett said. “They are changing their silhouettes and patterns to consider them. You are seeing a lot more tailored suits and longer sleeves.”

While the stylistic pairing of Wade and Barnett seems like a match made in heaven, it is a rapport that was not easily earned.

“He was a little stand-offish at first,” Barnett said. “But he started trusting my opinion and now he even puts in his own suggestions.”

In the end the formula for success is simple. According to Barnett, it’s all about staying true to one’s self and and knowing when to be persistent.

“I push a lot. He (Wade) knows if I push, it’s because I believe in it.”

-Ju’lia Samuels

 

Original article by Ju’lia Samuels for The Miami Times

Tön Vangard celebrated the Grand Opening of its

South Florida location, a stylish new venue that will offer clients high-end hair styling, body esthetic services, artistic ink and a beverage bar all under one roof, on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Guests enjoyed a sneak peek at the salon’s classic 70s-inspired atmosphere while indulging in light bites, Sweet & Tipsy alcohol-infused cupcakes and 42 BELOW Vodka cocktails. The evening also included an art exposition with artist Vitaly Rusakov from the Montresso Foundation of Marrakech, Morocco. The featured “Marilyn Monroe / JFK / Ché Guevara” collection combined political satire with the Pop Art.

Tön Vangard is a high-end salon, incorporating [Hair] [Ink] [Body] and [Drink] in a format that offers the most talented stylists, spa estheticians and body artists under one roof. The Tön Vangard goal is to create an edgy, alternative atmosphere with an exceptional collection of art and profoundly modern interior spaces that allow the client to feel like a rock star or celebrity. The menu of services starts at $20. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. For additional information, please visit www.tonvangard.com.

 A refreshing venture

The emergence of a salon like Vangard is a concept that can be welcomed with open arms.  After a quick chat with one of the salon owners, Anthony Lordi, during the opening night, it became clear that the salon’s sole desire is to create an atmosphere that cultivates creativity and produces quality results for its clients every time. Lordi promised that every trip to his salon would be packed with rhythmic music that bounces off the walls, vibrant and hypnotic artwork and genuine hair care treatments.  Ton Vangard will certainly be a place South Florida residents can go to let their hair down, relax and have some fun.