Columbia City Paper

Greetings!!!  2010 is underway and the time keeps rolling.  2010 has seen many good days, but a couple of bad ones for my brothers and sisters in Haiti who fell victim to one of the worst earthquakes (and intense aftershocks) ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere.  I really hope those out there with a heart are doing more than just watching the news.  Please find a reputable charity and donate your time, money, or more to help.  Being that this is the 1st quarter of music releases, labels are working gearing up for February & March dates, I figured I’d give you a list of some of the best artists ever to hold a microphone, but for some reason they are no where to be found. Let’s get it!!!!

Greetings!!!  2010 is underway and the time keeps rolling.  2010 has seen many good days, but a couple of bad ones for my brothers and sisters in Haiti who fell victim to one of the worst earthquakes (and intense aftershocks) ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere.  I really hope those out there with a heart are doing more than just watching the news.  Please find a reputable charity and donate your time, money, or more to help.  Being that this is the 1st quarter of music releases, labels are working gearing up for February & March dates, I figured I’d give you a list of some of the best artists ever to hold a microphone, but for some reason they are no where to be found. Let’s get it!!!!
Where Are They Now???? (In No Particular Order)
D’AngeloDeborah CoxJadeZhane (Pronounced Jah Nay)DMXParisPhife Dawg (A Tribe Called Quest)OluNine (Whutcha Want!!!)Cypress HillKamFoxy BrownNikki DNaughty By NatureRob Base Dana DaneSlick RickKool Moe DeeDa Youngstas (Remember Crewz Pop!!!)Chill Rob GD-NiceJurassic 5Killah Priest The Born JamericansMad LionStetsasonicHouse Of PainDigital UndergroundBahamadiaJeru Da Damaja***************************HONORABLE MENTION- Craig Mack…from ‘Flava In Ear Fame’…one of the greatest songs ever recorded.
WORDS OF WISDOM Rest in peace to Teddy Pendergrass…one of the greatest singers and performers of all time.    From ‘Wake Up Everybody’ and ‘Joy’ to ‘Love TKO’ and ‘Close The Door’, Teddy P had one of the smoothest and most distinctive voices ever.  May he, his spirit, his family, and his legacy forever remain blessed.  Stay Up!!!!
DJ Kingpin-Villain Of Vinyl        kingpinvillianofvinyl@gmail.com

By Arik Bjorn

Twenty years ago, at the age of 16, I found myself roaming the tiny republic of Haiti by myself.

I was the product of an ultraconservative upbringing and had already made several “evangelism trips” to one of the world’s poorest nations.  Haitians needed “saving” by the bucket-load, I was convinced—despite the fact that the Haitian people are the most spiritually faithful people you could ever visit, no matter the unthinkably deplorable comments recently made by Pat Robertson in the wake of Haiti’s catastrophic earthquake.

Photos by Catherine Lainé

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A chat with mayoral candidate, Aaron Johnson

AARON/GRANT 2010 campaign team from left to right:  Claire Sprague Media Specialist, Shigeharu Kobayashi, Staff Advisor, Aaron Johnson Candidate for Mayor, Grant Robertson Candidate for City Council, Abby Thames Staff Advisor,  Rachel Thomason - Campaign Manager

Interview by Todd Morehead

The Columbia mayoral election has a wild card this year, a man with a vaudevillian wit, the iron gullet of a sailor and the fashion sense of a young Chester Arthur. Meet candidate Aaron Johnson, co-owner of the F-Stop Camera Shop and Pretty Penny Productions. Sure, he may have recently appeared on local TV wearing a homemade astronaut suit, but don’t let his penchant for theatrics fool you. Johnson is dead serious about reforming city council and is surprisingly versed in civics. He has no questionable ties and, so far, no political debts to repay. Young, hyper intelligent and beloved in his local community, he is known for his work ethic, creative eye and philanthropic spirit.

The candidate was kind enough to humor us when we pitched him a few off-the-wall questions and this interviewer walked away from the exchange believing that Mr. Johnson and business partner Grant Robertson, who is challenging Tameika Isaac Devine for her city council seat, could be the breath of fresh air this town needs. The pair might just surprise everyone on April 6 if they can fill their war chests early enough to effectively run each respective campaign…

COLUMBIA CITY PAPER: The city has two major problems: homelessness and city accounting. What would you say to a proposal to kill two birds with one stone and employ the homeless to take over city accounting?

AARON JOHNSON: Well, I can tell right away this is not going to be a puff piece. There is merit to your idea. Homeless people have some admirable talents that our city financial officials could stand to use as an example. They have to stretch very small budgets a long way to accomplish their goals. I would wager that they also, as a rule, know how much money they have in their coffers at any given time.

CCP: Some other cities have passed ordinances in favor or the Urban Chicken movement. Taking the current economic situation into consideration, would you allow Columbia citizens to raise and slaughter their own chickens within city limits?
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