International Pillow Fight Day celebrates its 6th year in 2013. Happening on the first Saturday in April, it has now taken over the world, with pillow fights in over 30 cities around the world.

Oleander’s fifth album SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL has just the right number of ballads, including two heart-wrenching power ballads; several high-energy, driving tracks; and really “vibey” mid-tempo songs to just sit back and zone out to. Something about this album really resonates.

Putting together issue 49 was a lot of fun. After all, we have the best talent online. Oddly, it didn’t even register that the next issue would be a milestone. It never even occurred to me what that meant until a few weeks ago. And that’s when I sat up and took notice. Hey, this is our fiftieth issue! So what does that mean exactly?

Some say the world is getting better; others say it’s the worst it has ever been in the history of civilization. Hard to believe it’s the worst. The Black Death killed two thirds of the world’s population. Because there was no way to spread news like today, people got away with murder, rape, you name it. Before fingerprinting was invented, convictions were based on hearsay and circumstantial evidence.

If you’re Christian it’s a person at conception. If you’re just moral it’s a person once it forms fingers, toes and a face. If you’re a democrat it’s a welfare check. If you’re republican, it’s a means to control a woman’s place. Women still make only 56% of a man’s salary doing the exact same job. Oh yeah . . . we’re all equal. Just sayin’!

When the verdict was read, that’s when all hell broke loose! South Central became the scene of riots, fires, and deaths. I remember. I witnessed it as a passenger in a friend’s car while on the freeway peering into the war zone, where violence and looting erupted almost instantaneously upon the broadcast news that four out of the five cops were found “not guilty.” The Blacks of Los Angeles had finally had enough!

(Written by Megan McMurtrey) Remember the old days in film when every relationship seemed perfect? When all a woman had to do was smile and it was love at first sight and “happily ever after?” Movies like An Affair to Remember and Breakfast at Tiffany’s set a standard for romance that the modern relationship can’t seem to fulfill any longer. And so, with the advent of new technology, the modern romance story was born with a little less “happily ever after” and a little more [...]

Amy Winehouse is best known for the single “Rehab.” Winehouse’s distinctive, yet retro style is mimicked by young female soul singers today; and her short-lived career has made a huge impact deeming her another young legend.

I’ve always loved to watch the Academy Awards, whether I’m doing it with a big group like I did at the Hyatt Hotel in Century City last year or just in my den with my dog and a big screen TV. Either way, the experience is always the same for me: hopeful and engaged. This year’s Oscars was very entertaining. It seemed to flow better than past shows.

But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the gladdest days and in the darkest nights . . . always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath, as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again . . .