Marcie L. Hill began her career as a writer, editor and communicator by simply sharing information that came across her desk with her Internet family. She has turned her love of sharing information into “Shorty In Da House,” a newsletter whose name is a play on her stature, and one that reaches hundreds of readers monthly.

Marcie started Shorty In Da House as a way to share information with those who’d helped her with her 2002 job search. It grew from there. “It has grown from about 25 recipients to nearly 500. It is a means to share good news and other information that people would not hear otherwise.” Readers can find good News, Stuff for Young People, Community News & Other Good Stuff, and advertisements for Small Businesses. It has also grown into a source of inspiration and education.

Shorty is Marcie’s “baby,” and she’d like to see it grow. So what does the future hold for Shorty? Marcie is working on revamping a website that will capture everything Shorty. A tee shirt line is also in development. Some will be boast inspirational messages, while others will be geared toward roller skaters and entrepreneurs. (The prototypes that this reporter has seen look great!) In addition to a podcast and new Shorty Blog in the works, there’ll be a special treat for fans. “Ultimately, Shorty will be a cartoon that will entertain and educate audiences of all ages.”

I personally feel honored to have been a part of that first group of readers. Its evolution, and that of Marcie into a full-fledged writer, really are testaments to what faith and hard work can do. Check out Shorty in Da House and newsletter at http://www.goshorty.net. Its supplemental blog is housed at http://shortyindahouse.wordpress.com.

Relana speaks to a gathering of ladies from the ultimate prop - a pole!

The seed planted to create Good Gyrrls, the brainchild of founder and owner Relana Johnson, was a simple one – needing a way to pay for graduate school. She has turned that need into a business that caters to the sensual inner workings for ladies of all shapes and sizes. The only requirement – check your inhibitions at the door.

How’d she get there? Well, if you entered a graduate program and your cohorts told you that you couldn’t work – you’d probably trip. Not Ms. Johnson. She had to think quickly.

“By trade I’m a graphic designer,” begins Johnson, who currently works as an art director for a book publishing company. “I didn’t have the nest egg; I didn’t have the house that I could sublet.” Like the rest of us, she needed to work!

Johnson took an exotic dance class on the North Side of Chicago just for fun. While visiting a sensual toy party, she demonstrated some moves she’d learned in class. This impromptu lesson covered striptease, sexy walking and crawling. It also watered the seed that would become Good Gyrrls.

“One lady was so excited, she wanted me to come and teach a class. I started to do my research on it, and took some additional classes to learn how to empower women.”

So how do you become one who “empowers” women? Well, this is not a business where you can call up your nastiest homegirl and ask her to show you some moves. Save that for your sista-girl get-togethers, and leave the real dancing and teasing to a PRO!

Ms. Johnson has a formal dance background in Latin, jazz, belly dancing, ballet and West African dance – just to name a few. She also earned certifications in both CPR and group fitness from World Instructor Training School.

From her simple beginnings of being a staff of one, she currently has a team of nine. I know what you are thinking ladies: are there any men teaching any of these classes? Well, there is one – Antwain Hicks. He helps to keep ladies in line! What I mean is, he teaches line dancing of every variety at Good Gyrrls.

Antwain Hicks gets Good Gyrrl students in line.

Just a bit about Good Gyrrl classes. Ladies learn how to tease their partners with non-verbal communication and a little bump and grind in Tease 101 and 102. The difference between chair and lap dancing are discovered in Lap of Luxury. fABulous, T & A, and Tantra Yoga are just a few of the sensual fitness classes offered. And we dare not leave out the pole training. You can learn the basics and make your partner very happy.

Due to current economic challenges, class rates are recession friendly. Classes begin at $20 for a “drop-in” rate. Four-week classes are $80, and $90 will get you into a six-week session. All classes are held at Mekhaskhen House, 5459 S. Drexel in Hyde Park . A complete list of classes as well as Ms. Johnson’s contact information can also be found at www.goodgyrrl.webs.com.

Good Gyrrls Offers Sensual Fun, Fitness and Relaxation

Dancing. Cooking lessons. Wine tasting. Massages. A spa, right? Not exactly. Good Gyrrls founder Relana Johnson, was sure to incorporate all of these things into a lavish and well-attended open house on March 28. Held at Mekhaskhen House, 5459 S. Drexel in Hyde Park, guests were pampered while they learned to stay fit – and to have fun doing it.

Visitors had the opportunity to watch Chef Ronald Taylor prepare tomato jam and shrimp pesto with linguine before being encouraged to participate in tutorials of techniques such as pole dancing, burlesque techniques and samba. “C’mon ladies,” was the mantra as Good Gyrrl instructors pulled ladies to the floor. Those who only wanted to watch sipped their wine sorbets and sampled Chef Taylor’s creations, all while giggling to dancing demonstrations that were once considered risque.

Focusing on losing inhibitions and being comfortable with personal sexuality, the Good Gyrrls instructors let it all hang out by showing snippets of their classes. Whether it was Kristina teaching the Samba class or Karla teaching breathing techniques for both you and your partner’s pleasure in the Tantra Yoga class, guests learned that you can tone and be sexy!

One instructor reminded us that anything we do as ladies can be sexy. “Let me show how you can make picking up keys sexy,” Shyvone said to the squeals of delighted guests. Shyvone teaches Tease 101 and 102: Gyrrlesque – the GoodGyrrls rendition of burlesque dancing – and yes there are different levels!

Heading to the lower level, ladies were shown that they too were fierce and could learn how to pole dance to prove it! After getting worked up with thoughts of what pole dancing can do to enhance both their figures and love lives, one could relax (or get further worked up – depending on how you look at it) with a massage. My favorite? The menage-a-sage. You guessed it: two men massaging one woman at the same time! Lord have mercy! The Good Fellas massage team of Terrance & Percy delighted in giving special attention to the clients. Michael Sullivan, owner of Toes by Bros, was on hand to give foot massages. Ladies were particularly delighted with the “Blow Job.” Shocked? Relax. The Blow Job simply consisted of a foot massage while Mr. Mike blew on his client’s toes.

Ms. Johnson is really on to something here. Sensual fitness on the south side? Yes honey! See you in class!

Good Gyrrl Instructors Shyvone and Karla demonstrate stretching techniques designed to enhance the experiences of both you and your partner.

A very relaxed Marcie enjoys the Good Fellas' menage-a-sage.