For the full recap of Thurday's competition visit:

www.nogutsnogloryonline.com

Hope I see ya round downtown.

check me out on MYSPACE @ www.myspace.com/clove

Reporting Live from the 5 (Oh wow....I need to do a show or Radio program under that name...LOL!)

Big Ups to Cee of Charm City Records for inviting me to officiate the Baltimore Fresh Fest Auditions this past Saturday. Part II of the audition process will be held THIS Saturday @ the 5 Seasons (with Special Performances from the 100 Grand Man, Los, KG, Tonio Mr 22.5, & introducing Moochie). Part I showcased several of Baltimore's up and coming superstars. Though their sets were short (5 Minutes or less - some wisely opted to perform less), you could see the real potential. Big Ups to all the acts that gave it a go......I hope to see a few of them at the next NO GUTS NO GLORY: THE ULTIMATE SKILLZ CHALLENGE. Special shout out to Young Sac....this guy is everywhere. Check out the site for a video clip of him in action at the last No Guts competition.

Woods

Savage

Jimmy Bean
Young Sac




check me out on MYSPACE @ www.myspace.com/clove

As a proud Saint Frances Academy graduate (Go PANTHERS Go!)....I take pride in writing today's post. This past Sunday I had the distinct pleasure of attending Samos and Chaos Clothing Line's 1st Annual Increase the Peace Celebrity Basketball Game held at the Saint Frances Academy athletic complex. ooooh that gives me goosebumps



Shout out to Fred of Samos
(Congrats on another successful event!!)


We didn't have a gym when I was a student. We would hold actual gym classes wherever (the teachers were creative). The guys teams (JV and Varsity) practiced at Madison Rec (or "The dome") if I am not mistaken and we (the girls team) practiced in the small gym of a now closed Catholic Middle school that was on the corner of Loch Raven Blvd and Woodbourne Ave. Those were the days..... Our girls team were Catholic champs (and probably a few other division) every year I was enrolled at SFA (Shout out to Coach Shelton, Kortni and Kristi, Jakia, Melba, Tee Tee, Tammy....and everyone else on on the team with whom I was cool) and our boys were no slouches either - despite our humble 3 story 18th century East Baltimore school building - with no HOME gym to speak of. Now we have a mansion (so to speak). I loved it. I know Im gushing. We were and will no doubt for along time coming be one of the best schools in AMERICA - though Saint Frances may not get the recognition. What other school can boast SFA's stats? - consistently - Best boys and girls Basketball teams and a 95% graduation rate and 85% of their graduates go to college..(this list is in no way all inclusive...so for the sake of time...) ....and what population do they pull from.....& where is it located....in front of the Baltimore City jail or Grey Stone University as it was always referred to when I was around....it nothing short of God's work. I love Oblates. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Saint Frances has come a long way baby. I haven't been inside the school (or on the grounds) in many years now. I actually felt kinda nostalgic walking the path from the front entrance on Chase Street around back (Forrest) to get to the gym entrance. They've added a beautiful mural to the wall.....that surely was not there when I was a student.

When I heard about the game, I didn't quite know what to expect. I went assuming that St. Frances (the school) was affiliated with the event. I was hoping that I'd get to see one of the nuns I remembered from my time there, but I did not. I didn't stay down in the dumps forever tho.....man oh man....there was plenty of eye candy in attendance (for the guys and the girls) to lift me up. One piece in particular........It was so nice to run into Mark Karcher.

When I was in school he was on most ladies "Top 10" list...he was super star! (to the 3rd power). Yall all know that one girl or guy - lol. He went on to play at Temple, then the NBA.....next he went off to play overseas and now it's full circle - he's the head coach at Saint Frances. I am very proud of him and all other SFA alum doing their thang. Big Ups to coach Wells who passed the torch on.....I saw coach Wells at the game too....even tho he didn't quite know who I was....LOL! I still love ya!

Another of my hooper pals that I knew would be in the building but wasn't....WHERE WERE YOU DEVIN aka Mr. Clemson aka Mr. Houston Rocket?

Look @ what I found in the trophy case - my man. Not in person, but always around in spirit....I see. This guy will probably go down in SFA history as the most loved athlete and most influential ub outting SFA basketball on the map.....& guess what...that's my homie.

Awwwwwww this is an awesome pic. SFA Basketball History - Past>Present>Future. My school is the BEST! Yes...once a SFA student - ALWAYS a SFA student.

Who's that guy behind the desk? None other than the imfamous D. Chase .....whom I'd caught up with earlier in the eve.....check him out. Come to find out - he was the MC of the Main Event - now I'ma call him "Mr. Diversify". Look @ that million dollar smile. The girl behind me was like ooooh he so cute. LOL!

I was so glad to see that I was not the only Baltimore Hip Hop representer in the building. Big Ups to that ARAB .....Mr. Akbar to those that don't really know him like dat - SKARR AKBAR was up in dare.

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&........ just to show yall Ima good sport....I'll leave you with this one.....ha ha!

I know many people would not put their senior portrait out there like that....LOL! shucks I know its not the best "look", but it shows my evolution - Im all about evolution and growth. I didnt get to where I am today over night - like fine wine, I get better with time. Never be ashamed of your past - no matter how ugly it may be. Its the past. One can always re-invent themself. I would never ever wear my hair like that again in a million years (OMFG!) and you can't tell by the the pic above (its sepia), but my lipstick was 14k....LOL! now ya know you went to high school in the 90's if.........

Toodles yall~


C


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Video footage courtesy of digitalsports.com
(please note: Chaos is a Mens Clothing Boutique not a beauty salon)

ALSO......I will be on the panel selecting 6 acts to perform at the Baltimore Fresh Fest II (click link for more information).

Please some out and support E the Poet's Emcees efforts to open up the lines of communiation regarding issues that particularly affect Baltimore's Black/African American community. The first was an impressive display of concern (by Bobby Marvin) as evidenced by the over 60 people of varying ages and backgrounds that assembled to voice their concerns about the direction Baltimore and it's black residents, in particular, are going. I was asked to be part of the panel for next month's discussion on Senator Obama's presidential run. This should be an extremley informative discussion. I look forward to offering my perspective. I also expect a good deal of controvery to arise as well. If you pride yourself on being socially and politically conscious, have some time on the 7th and looking for something OFFICIAL to attend, come on out.