Insider News in
Yolanda James, New Owner
New Location: 3001 Douglas Ave. 262-681-2345 insiderwisconsin@yahoo.com
s n o c s i W
Volume 1 No. 13 September 15-30, 2011
Tak ONEe FRE E
INW
When I Would Do Good,
CHURCHFolks
ARE ALWAYS PRESENT!
Photos by Yolanda James
Pastor Sonya Visor of New Covenant Church, featured the play she wrote and produced “When I Would Do Good, Church Folks Are Always Present” at the Racine Theater Guild on Friday, August 19, 2011. The play was about the onstage church, Jefferson Lighthouse, which was well known for scandals with its BET “club singing” choir members and “Beyonce style” praise dancers. The church was getting a new pastor and the congregation
was not at all ready for change. The play was funny and entertaining as it drove home important lessons about ovecoming personal struggles as well as working with others within the church to bring unity. The audience enjoyed watching as the characters changed from pointing fingers to personal introspection and change. Those interested in her work can visit http://www.sonyavisor.com/content/covenant-house.html.
Upper photo: Lynn Booker, right, shows her sister Amy Booker and Stacy Bland, a t-shirt which honored Elaine’s achievements as a softball player. Right photo: Friends and family members watch as the plaque was unveiled baring 19, her jersey number. The plaque which hangs on the fence of the north softball diamond of Island Park reads, “Let the work I’ve done speak for me.�
Booker honored with a plaque erected at Island Park About 100 friends and family members of Elaine Booker came out on Saturday, September 10 to honor her with the unveiling of a plaque in her memory at the Island Park North Softball Diamond in Racine. Booker lost her battle with cancer March 13, 2011. She was a very wellknown and respected member of the Racine Softball Community. Her husband Wop Booker still coaches.
Immediately following the brief ceremony there were a Co-ed game and a New School (younger player) vs. Old School Women’s game played. There was food and a DJ which provided music. The family said donations are being accepted to help assist with the cost of the plaque as well as to begin a memorial fund in Elaine's name. This year, proceeds will be donated to The All
Saints Hope Fund. The All Saints Hope Fund provides assistance to cancer patients who are in financial need. Donations can be made at any Educators Credit Union to the Elaine Booker Memorial Benefit Fund, PO Box 81040, Racine, WI 53408. For more information please contact Stacia Slaughter at 262-331-4072.
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Page 2 The Insider News Wisconsin, September 15-30, 2011
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Black doll drama still affects African-Americans By Ronda Racha Penrice The historic Brown v. Board decision proved that dolls do matter. The research of the husband-and-wife psychologist team, Drs. Kenneth and Mamie Clark, known as "the doll test" presented in Briggs v. Elliott, one of the five critical cases that built the Brown v. Board, contributed greatly to the landmark Supreme Court decision that put school desegregation in motion. Questioning young black kids about their preference between a black and a white doll, the Clarks found that 67 percent of the black children tested preferred a white doll over a black one, with 59 percent also identifying the white doll as the nice one. Those results were a critical indication of positive and negative self-identity. It's this correlation between dolls and self-identity that continue to make dolls important. So, it should come as little surprise that American Girl's introduction of their second black doll would be headline-worthy. Cècile Rey, a free African-American living in 1853 New Orleans, was recently introduced along with her friend Marie-Grace Gardner. Because the previous AfricanAmerican doll, Addy, was a former slave, some like TMJ4 weekend news co-anchor Shelley Walcott in Milwaukee have welcomed the new addition. "As a parent, I find Cecile's story a lot more appropriate for play time than plantation scenes and a bullwhip-cracking slave master," wrote Walcott in her blog. But black dolls from contemporary lines can't catch a break either. When Mattel, which also owns American Girl, introduced its S.I.S. (So In Style) Barbie line, created by Stacey McBride Irby, who is African-American, in 2009, Racialicious ran a guest contributor post, "Mattel Falls Short with S.I.S. (So In Style) Line Black Barbies" from Seattle Slim blasting it. Natural hair was a primary issue. "What was wrong with creating a Barbie with short, as close to natural hair as possible?" wrote the guest contributor, who objected to the dolls' weaved looks. "These dolls are just one more tool in the indoctrination process that prizes and rewards self-hatred over knowledge of self, and love for self, in the black community," she also asserted. Others criticized the dolls for being too hip-hop influenced. "Not all black people like hip hop," then 15-year-old Barbara Mootoo from Manhattan told The New York Daily News. In addition, Mootoo objected to the chain Kara, one of the three dolls in the series, wore, noting that "They gave her a chain like a 50 Cent video."
Inner-City candy store is open in time for trick-or-treating Trick-or-treating is a customary celebration for children on Halloween. Children go in costume from house to house asking for treats and the neighborhood around Memorial Drive is able to take advantage of the new candy shop, “Your Mini Sweet Shop”. The small store front came under heavy scrutiny because of the security bars on the front door and windows. Mayor Dickert stated it created a perception of crime and an unfair exception to previous standards. He promised in previous statements that he would veto a conditional-use permit for the store. During a recent common council meeting, building owner Jerry Brantley explained that there was other buildings in the nearby vicinity with bars, and it would be to expensive for her to make the conversion. Aldermen Jim Morgenroth and Mike Shields said they would volunteer and move the bars on the inside, where they would not be seen by the public. The two also agreed that they would place the bars on hinges so it wouldn’t be a safety concern. The mayor agreed with the arrangement and then withdrew his veto. The council then voted to approve the measure by a 10-2 vote. It would have taken 10 votes for the council to override the mayor’s vote. Alderman Morgenroth suggested to other council members to purchase their Halloween candy from the store.
Miss Racine seeking contestants for November competition Miss Racine Pageant is seeking contestants for its November competition. An informational meeting for interested contestants, for both the local preliminary to Miss America and Miss Racine Outstanding Teen, is from 1-3 p.m. Sept. 17 at Perkins Family Restaurant, 4901 Washington Ave., according to organizers. Those who are interested but cannot attend should contact Executive Director Debra Morrall at missracinepageant@gmail.com.
To be eligible for Miss Racine, a contestant must be a U.S. citizen ages 17-24 who lives, works or attends school full-time in Racine County or at University of Wisconsin-Parkside. For Miss Outstanding Teen, a contestant must be a U.S. citizen at least 13 years old and live in Racine County or western Kenosha County. For more details, Miss Racine Scholarship Organization is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MissRacinePageat
The five stages of competition are: private interview; lifestyle and fitness; talent; evening wear; and on-stage questioning. Each contestant will also discuss a social or community issue of her choice. The deadline for applications is Oct. 8. The Nov. 12 pageant is scheduled to be held at the Racine Theatre Guild, 2519 Northwestern Ave.
Page 3 The Insider News Wisconsin, September 15-30, 2011
Should blacks be satisfied with Obama's jobs speech? In the midst of a great deal of prognostication and punditry out there in the media, the blogosphere, and America's political chatterati, President Obama delivered his address on jobs before a joint session of Congress on Thursday evening. Without question, of the broad cross section of Americans who are hurting in this crippled, hobbled economy, no group was more interested in what the president had to say than African-Americans. After all, black people are suffering from Depression levels of unemployment, as Congresswoman Maxine Waters (DCalifornia) recently brought to light. Over 26 percent of African-Americans either are unemployed or underemployed, the highest level in nearly three decades. In his speech, Obama unveiled his $447 billion American Jobs Act, which offers a mix of tax cuts, jobs and infrastructure funding. Digging deep into the details and analyzing both the policy implications and the rhetorical symbolism of his speech, the president addressed issues that directly impact the black community and the rest of the Democratic base, and speak to their concerns. In other words, it is a good start, if nothing else. However, consisting of two-thirds tax cuts, to some degree the president's jobs plan resembles a conservative Republican proposal. Further, he did not specifically discuss the high rate of black joblessness -- a unique situation, to be sure -- and therefore failed to adequately allay the concerns of some of his prominent African-American critics. "This past week, reporters have been asking, 'What will this speech mean for the President? What will it mean for Congress? How will it affect their polls, and the next election?'" President Obama offered as introductory remarks in his address. "But the millions of Americans who are watching right now, they don't care about politics. They have real-life concerns. Many have spent months looking
Brooklyn, NY - A recent Gallup poll showed African-American support for President Barack Obama is at 84 percent. The number, although high, ties the president's lowest marks among blacks since he took office. Thursday night, President Obama laid out his plan for turning the nation's unemployment crisis around -- the American Jobs Act. TheGrio's Todd Johnson watched the speech in Brooklyn with a small group of African-American voters. Reaction was generally positive, but some questioned why President Obama didn't mention or acknowledge the 'poor' during his 33-minute speech. Others appreciated the wide range of issues covered during the address, from educational improvements to immediate relief for millions of long-term unemployed.
for work. Others are doing their best just to scrape by -- giving up nights out with the family to save on gas or make the mortgage; postponing retirement to send a kid to college," he added. The president made a salient point that people do not care about politics, and he urged Congress to stop the "political circus" and "pass this jobs bill." But we should remember that this is politics that we're dealing with here, and this is an inherently political season. After all, we're
in the middle of the 2012 presidential campaign season. Just look at the most recent GOP presidential debate at the Reagan Library, which provided viewers with a clear difference in vision between the two parties. The Republican Party has been accused of sabotaging the economy for political gain, with the primary goal of making Obama a one-term president. This point of view has evidence on its side, with the recent debt ceiling debacle as a
case in point. Meanwhile, the president, facing low approval ratings for his handling of the economy, must show that he is engaged on the jobs issue and actively working to turn things around. Obama should be concerned that his base, jaded, demoralized and lacking enthusiasm, will stay away from the polls next year, even as he seems overly preoccupied with attracting independent voters.
Have the GOP candidates reached out to black America? Levi Williams, a Florida corporate attorney and another prominent black Republican, sees the dedication to voting Democrat as a flaw in how politics are supposed to be played in a multiparty system. "We're the only group of people that [votes majority Democrat], that is not political mastery. That's a new form of political slavery." According to a study released by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, 84 percent of black registered voters want Obama to be re-elected, while 7 percent of black voters want a Republican to win. Some Republicans think that the important votes to court are among the white independents, women, youth and Hispanics. Leaving the black vote a dwindling slice of the overall voting pie. "Every year, our numbers become so marginal compared to other groups," says Williams, who used to work as lead counsel for the Broward Republican Executive Committee. "The new supermajority will
be Latinos, which leaves the AfricanAmerican community behind Latinos and whites," he says. Still, Williams believes blacks need to better leverage their voting power like other minority groups, including gays. It's not about sticking to one party, but choosing the candidate who will "deliver the best outcome." With President Obama's approval rating dipping in a recent poll, Republicans aren't showing much visible effort in going after his black voting base. But that's not to say that there aren't groups looking to mix Republican ideals and court African-American political participation. The National Black Republican Association is one such organization that's been around for several years. Chaired by Frances Rice and based in Sarasota, Fl, the site says it seeks to "return black Americans to their Republican Party roots by enlightening them about how Republicans fought for their freedom and civil rights." The site highlights prominent black Page 4 The Insider News Wisconsin, September 15-30, 2011
MONEY MATTERS Dave Ramsey, one of America’s most renowned money experts, has designed a 7 step system as part of his Financial Peace University. These steps are designed to be a broad road map to help people get out of debt and march toward financial freedom. Below are the the first two steps to obtaining a plan to manage your finances. Step 0 - More Debt! Step 0 isn’t officially listed in Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps. But making a conscious commitment to change is essential before you will be able to accomplish any of these steps. It is nice to say you will do something, but another thing entirely to follow through with it. Once you make the commitment to live debt free, the following seven steps become easier to accomplish. Step 1 – $1,000 to start an Emergency Fund. Emergency funds are quite possibly one of the most important things you can do for yourself financially. You never know when you will need quick access to several hundred, or even a couple thousand dollars to deal with a car repair or a quick plane ride to visit family who live far away. An emergency fund will give you the funds to take care of these expenses as they arrive, and help you stay out of debt. The best place to stash your emergency fund savings is in an online savings account where you can earn a high interest rate and have easy access to your cash. Step 2 – Pay off all debt using the Debt Snowball. Dave Ramsey advocates using a debt snowball to pay off debts. Some people refer to this as “snowflaking,” which refers to taking small amounts of money (snowflakes) and combining them into a larger amount (snowball). Those small amounts of money can add up quickly, and a snowball is much more effective than a small snowflake. Ramsey advocates taking every small amount you can save and applying it toward your debt – instead of spending it on frivolous items. This concept has really taken off in the personal finance blogosphere, and has even spawned a Snowflake Revolution website and a network where members share how they have applied the snowflaking principle to debt reduction, investing, or any other applicable financial goal. Here are more tips on how to get out of debt.
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Healing for the Heart
Why Haters Hate?
by Creflo Dollar Have you ever known someone who seemed to hate you for no viable reason? I have discovered that often people hate others and they are not even fully aware of why they feel the way they do. Through study of God’s Word, however, we can locate the answer to the question: “Why do haters hate?” When the blessing is operating on your life, and others can see that blessing, it often results in a spirit of envy, which provokes hatred. Envy is a tactic of the enemy that is specifically designed to steal, kill, and destroy. As Believers, we must guard against this demonic spirit and refuse to give it place in our lives. To understand how envy can be provoked in a person, let’s look at Genesis 26:3-6. In this passage we see a man, Isaac, receiving God’s blessing, which is an empowerment to prosper. It says: Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto they seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; and I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto they seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. Isaac was blessed because of his father’s blessing, which came as a result of Abraham’s obedience to God. The blessing on Isaac’s life resulted in him having great material wealth, which could be seen by his enemies, causing them to envy him (vv. 13-14). The envy they felt moved them to try to stop Isaac’s blessing by filling his wells with dirt! (vv. 15) Envy is a fear-based emotion that is demonic in nature. When people have an envious spirit, it will move them to go to any means necessary to stop the object of their envy from being successful or obtaining any more than they already have. Envy is what moved the religious leaders of Jesus’ time to deliver Him up to be killed (Matthew 27:18), and it also drove Saul to try to kill David (1 Samuel 18:529). When envy is present, the spirit of murder is following right behind. The Apostle Paul also had to deal with envious leaders who were angry about the
success of his ministry and the fact that people from all over the city came to hear him preach the Word of God. “But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming” (Acts 13:45). The Bible is very clear about how Christians are to deal with envy—we are not to operate in it at all. It is a work of the flesh that blocks our blessings and opens the door to a host of demonic activity in our lives. First Peter 2:1 says we should, “lay aside” malice, envy, jealousy, slander, and evil speaking. Envy, when allowed to go unchecked, will absolutely destroy our lives. Galatians 5:19-21 lists it as one of the works of the flesh that will prevent you from inheriting the kingdom of God. The primary way to guard against envy is to purpose in your heart not to ever compare yourself to anyone else. Comparison opens the door to a spirit of envy. Also, we must recognize it as a work of the flesh and immediately deal with it when we feel envy trying to creep into our hearts toward someone. Walking in the love of God and purposing to develop the fruit of the Spirit are also vital. When you feel the enemy trying to attack you with a spirit of envy, immediately rebuke it and refuse to yield to it. And, if someone is envious of you, keep in mind that the blessing in your life is what the enemy is attacking, not you as a person. God has given us every tool we need to be victorious over the enemy. We have the Word of God and the Holy Spirit helping us every step of the way. Though the weapon of envy may form against us, it will not prosper when we continue to walk in love and refuse to compare ourselves to others. Haters may hate, but when God’s blessing is in operation, success is an inevitable result.
Page 5 The Insider News Wisconsin, September 15-30, 2011
Wedding Bells Ring Turner Wedding Celeste White & Adrian Turner united in marriage on Saturday, September 3, 2011 on the lakefront pier in Racine, WI. The couple celebrated their special day with a host of family and friends. Pastor Frank James II of Changing Lives Ministries Non-Denominational Church officiated the ceremony.
Johnson’s Wedding Stacy Jennings and David Johnson were united in marriage on Friday, August 12 at Second Missionary Baptist Church. The wedding party included: Maid of Honor – Margo Jennings Franklin; Brides Maids – Charisse English, Marie Stewart, Hope Drakes; Best Man – Jeff Block; Groomsmen – Daryell Stacey, Bernis Stewart, William Russell; Mother of the Bride – Mary Jennings; Stand-in Mother of Groom – Anny May; Stand-in Father of the Bride – Danniel Franklin; Ring Bearer – Byron Harris Jr.; Flower Girls – Shanya Stewart, Kalia Jennings. Pastor Tommie Knuckles performed the ceremony at Second Missionary Baptist Church in Racine. The reception was held at Infusino’s Banquet Hall in Racine. Photography by Ken Lumpkin.
Celeste White & Adrian Turner
shall & Ranee Mar rer ut C ey nl Sta
Have you made your energy appointment yet? Call now to schedule your appointment! Racine Kenosha Community Action Agency (262) 637-8377. Now serving our western Racine County clients at the Racine County Building, 209 N. Main St., Burlington, WI (starting Oct. 3rd) Join us for our community forum: Monday, Sept. 26, 9:00am-11:30am, RACI Great Lakes Rm 116
Page 6 The Insider News Wisconsin, September 15-30, 2011
Page 7 The Insider News Wisconsin, September 15-30, 2011
Laurence Fishburne stars in CONTAGION Sandra Varner’s Celebrity Profile
Juliette Chew Cobb laughs and celebrates her 80th birthday with family and friends on Saturday, Sept. 3 at the Fountain Banquet Hall in Racine.
Yep, this one will stay with you long after the two-hour movie experience ends. I’m referring to the new Steven Soderbergh intellectual thriller, CONTAGION, in theaters now from Warner Bros. This film intrigues me. Specifically, CONTAGION is a successful model of the economical use of a bevy of A-list talent, namely, Oscar winners: Gwyneth Paltrow (Shakespeare in Love), Kate Winslet (The Reader), Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose), and Matt Damon (Good Will Hunting). In addition, acclaimed actors Jude Law (The Talented Mr. Ripley), Jennifer Ehle (The King’s Speech), Sanaa Lathan (Alien vs. Predator) plus Emmy and Image Award winner Laurence Fishburne (Miss Evers’ Boys), are all effectively cast in believable roles yet the construct goes against traditional Hollywood conventions. Case in point, the protagonist and antagonist are so intertwined; you’re perplexed though rooting for them on all sides. Those who advance the story along-- and, we expect them to last through the end credits, do not. Credit due, this is a feat unto itself. However, I guess when you have the Soderbergh imprint; brilliance does shine through, particularly in this film. Who can forget what he did with Traffic and his early offering sex, lies and videotapes? Therein rests my opinion of the touted director. Often, we have witnessed star laden cast under-utilized due to a weak script, implausible premise or both. Conversely, screenwriter Scott Burns gives us plenty to chew on within the context of a frightening and haunting thought-- that one could die from touching the wrong person. Infidelity, hints of corporate malfeasance, an errant journalist gone rogue, a top health official who lets his personal vulnerability cloud his professional judgment: these are the tentacles of compelling story telling, sans the embellishment of blinding special effects and a drowning soundtrack. Not your average kid’s film, for which I am grateful, CONTAGION beckons the filmgoer not looking to wrestle with the harangue of competing dynamics. It’s just a good ole whodunit. Word of caution; go see it with people you know. Commenting on the quality of the film and on his interest in the role of Director of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), Fishburne stated, “I was kind of blown away by how smart it was… a lot of what is being made now is kind of stupid [laughter]. So, I was very honored to be asked to be a part of it because it’s really, really a smart movie.” He went on in further detail stating, “The film wasn’t really that complex for me. I mean, once I talked to Dr. Lipkin (a leading specialist, described as “the virushunter” in a NY Times report, Nov.2010), who had real strong opinions about how all of this should play out (in the film). He was with us every day, committed to what he does. Almost every day he had some sort of new disease that the CDC is tracking and keeping an eye on.” Asked if he had a germ phobia, the 50-year-old commented, “I ain’t afraid of germs [laughter]. And, I ain’t afraid of getting sick. Dying, that’s some other sh--t [laughter].” Read more interviews at HYPERLINK "http://www.Talk2SV.com" www.Talk2SV.com.
Page 8 The Insider News Wisconsin, September 15-30, 2011
Page 9 The Insider News Wisconsin, Septebember 15-30, 2011
Insider News
SHEPHERD’S GUIDE St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church
ZOE OUTREACH Ministries
1120 Grand Ave. Racine, Wis.
262-632-1467 www.stpmbc.org
Christian Faith Fellowship Church Racine, Wisconsin Pastors Willie & Patricia Scott 9:00am - Sunday School
Bishop Lawrence L.
KIRBY Senior Pastor
10:00am - Sunday Service at Gilmore Middle School
Sunday School 9:15 AM Sunday Worship Service 7:45 AM & 10:40 AM
Mid-week service Tuesday - 6:30pm at other location
Wednesday Prayer & Bible Class 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM Dinner - 5:30 PM
For more information on mid-week serivce call 631-0196 PO Box 085576 • Racine,WI 53408
2130 Racine Street Racine, WI 619-3027
Melvin Hargove Pastor
Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church
Sunday School - 8:45 a.m.
1201 Center St. • Racine, WI
Sunday Worship Service - 10:00 a.m.
(262) 880-6521 Come Worship with us at: Sunday Worship Service 11:00 AM Bible Study Wednesday 6:00 Pm - 8:00 PM
Sunday NA Meeting 6:30 PM Community Dinner 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Wednesday: Midweek Worship 6:15 a.m.- 8:15 p.m. Thursday NA Meeting 6:00 PM
Christ Centered • Kingdom Driven • Family Focused
Sundays Service 10:30 Wednesdays 7pm
1840 Howe St. (262) 632-1201 changinglivesmin@yahoo.com changinglivesmin.com
Greater Mt. Eagle Baptist Church
Greater St. Luke’s
Missionary Baptist Church
Sunday School • 9:00 AM Sunday Worship Service • 10:45 AM Bible Study (Wed.) • 6:00 PM Word of Life (Youth Program) (Thur..) • 6:30 PM
929 State Street • Racine, Wisconsin 53404
637-1606
Rev. Willie Riley, Senior Pastor 262.633.4421
825 21st Street • Racine Sunday School Worship Service Mid Morning Worship Service Wednesday Afternoon Bible Study Wednesday Dinner Wednesday Evening Bible Study Saturday Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 12:00 noon 5:30-6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m.
Trinity United Missionary Baptist Church 306-5th Street, Racine, WI
Sunday School 9:15 am Sunday Worship 11:00 am Bible Class (Wednesday) • 6 pm
Pastor Keith Evans
“A God Glorifying, Christ Centered, Spirit-Filled Church”
SEARCHING TOGETHER MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHuRCH
Prayer Service (Thursday) • 6 pm
Sunday School 9:30 AM Sunday Worship 10:30 AM Prayer Service (Wed.) 5:00 PM Bible Class & Prayer (Wed.) - 6:00 PM
262.635.1994 Pastor Jessie Summerall
email: tumbcc@ameritech.net
1326 State Street 632-4146 Page 10 The Insider News Wisconsin, September 15-30 2011
Rev. Buddy Vinson Senior Pastor
Pastor Joseph L. & First Lady Thomas
New Brighter Day Baptist Church 1225 25th Ave., Kenosha, WI
262-552-8090 Joseph L. Thomas, Pastor Sunday School - 9:00 a.m. - Sunday Worship Service - 10:30 a.m. Tuesday Prayer Service - 6:00 p.m. Bible Study - Tuesday 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
A love for coffee turns into a profitable business One March day, while a man was shopping in downtown Racine with his fiancée, he got the urge that many of us know so well: he needed a cup of coffee. As this unsuspecting couple began to visit all the old familiar places they had known, loved, and had served, in times past, as the suppliers of their caffeine fix, they soon discovered that these old familiar places we no longer there. This man, desiring that all elusive cup, began to ask around, “Where do people get coffee in Racine?” To his shock, he heard this sad, two word response more often than not: “No where.” This story has a happy ending. The man in the account above is Michael Young, the new owner of Bare Coffee in downtown Racine. After hearing that response, Young began to dream up a business proposal for a coffee shop that would serve as a caffeinating crux of the downtown area. In a twist of events seemingly conjured up by fate, Young was able to acquire the former Grounds Keeper location at 327 Main Street after contemplating a move of his coffee shop business model to West Allis. Ultimately, the Kenosha resident decided that Racine would be a more feasible (and much closer) location for his community-centered coffee shop. Bare Coffee has been officially open since August 5th, 2011. When describing what makes Bare Coffee different than the rest of the coffee shop set, Young pictured it as the Bare Coffee mentality of “keeping it simple, doing it right, and doing it well.” This mantra can be seen throughout the store, from the USDA-
certified organic, fair-trade coffee sold there, to the business philosophy that Young has used throughout the years. As no stranger to owning a business, Young described his belief on management as one that “makes employees proud of their jobs.” This sense of pride is fostered from providing fair wages to local employees to giving workers a voice in things such as how the coffee shop will be decorated. The interior of the space can be most appropriately described as a warm and inviting atmosphere. The Bare Coffee team of Young, his fiancée, and their two employees, worked collaboratively to put together what Young called a “clean space where the non-essential things were taken out.”
In addition to the “keeping it simple” business approach, Young also has an admitted focus on keeping all aspects of the business local. “Our beans are roasted in Milwaukee, our bakery items come from Larsen Bakery here in town [and are] fresh every day,” Young explained. Perhaps this commitment to local production stems from a desire to give back to the community. Bare Coffee has big plans for becoming a central feature in the downtown Racine area, which are as diverse as offering 10% discounts to teachers, free brewed coffee for law enforcement and, in the future, donating a portion of their profits to art, music, and drama programs throughout the Racine Unified School District. Young believes that these community-focused initiatives are his “way of saying thank you for what you do.” On top of these initiatives, Bare Coffee will have a meeting room completed soon in which community members can reserve space for up to twelve individuals, free of charge, to conduct community meetings, presentations, or even book clubs. “[The purpose of the room] is so people can have a place away [from the coffee shop atmosphere] but still have access to our products,” Young said. This focus on keeping employees – as well as production – local has been a central feature in all Young’s endeavors, and he plans on keeping the same philosophy in the future. So begins the story of a man and his love for coffee; or, more accurately, a man and his love for the community. A good cup of Joe is just an added benefit.
Insider News Wisconsin to hold a reception for County Veterans Service Officer Racine County Executive Jim Ladwig recently announced the appointment of Master Chief Petty Officer Aloysius “Ali” Nelson, U.S. Navy (retired) as the new County Veterans Service Officer. The Insider News Wisconsin will hold a reception at Bare Coffee, located at 327 Main Street, in downtown Racine, so veterns and community residents can meet the 28-year Navy veteran. “As a part of our commitment to the community, we want to to hold an event that would continue to connect our readers with people that provide important resources to people,” explained Yolanda James, Owner/Publisher of the Insider
News Wisconsin. Nelson’s last active duty assignment was as the Command Master Chief/Senior Enlisted Advisor for the 16-state Navy Midwest Region, headquartered at Great Lakes, Illinois. Mr. Nelson holds an Associate Degree in Human Resources Management, a Bachelor’s Degree in Workforce Education and Development, and a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Development. He is currently pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Higher Education and Organizational Change. His official start date with Racine County was September 1, 2011. In announcing the appointment, Ladwig said: “We all know that our veterans and their families deserve conscientious, dedicated service from the county.
Page 11 The Insider News Wisconsin, September 15-30, 2011
For that reason, we went through a thorough, impartial process to select the best available candidate. ‘Ali’ Nelson is that person. I am confident that he will continue the excellent service that Racine County veterans expect and that Dick Bayer provided to them.” Reception for Aloysius Nelson Tuesday, Sept. 27: 5:30-7:30pm Bare Coffee 327 Main St., Racine, WI
Recent legislation in Madison has made it difficult to vote in the upcoming elections. Requiring individuals to present photo ID to vote tends to disenfranchise many minority voters. It is imperative for you to have knowledge and understanding of these new changes which will give you the ability to be heard at the ballot box. Below, I am providing you with a step-by-step outlay of what you need to do in order to vote. We encourage you to pass this vital information to family and friends.
Do you want to vote in the next election? Follow the steps before election day to ensure your voter eligibility. ID IS FREE FOR THE PURPOSES OF VOTING - BE SURE YOU INFORM THE CLERK AT THE DEPT OF MOTOR VEHICLE OF YOUR REASON FOR THE ID Do you have a current government issued photo ID: Wisconsin driver’s license OR military ID OR US passport OR certificate of naturalization OR tribal ID? It is okay if it is expired, if the expiration date is after the last general election.
If the answer is no, go to the next step to learn how to obtain a state photo ID. If your answer is yes and are already registered to vote at your current location, you are good to go. Remember to take your ID to the polls.
If your answer is yes but have never registered to vote at your location or have moved since the last time you voted, go to the next step
If you have proof of identity and have never registered to vote in Wisconsin or have moved since the last time you voted, you must have lived at your new address for at least 20 days. You can now register and vote on election day in advance by visiting the clerk’s office located at Racine City Hall, 720 Washington Ave. Online applications are available in English: http://gab.wi.gov/forms/gab131english The applications must be postmarked no later than the 20th day(3rd Wednesday) before the election. You must provide evidence that you have lived at your residence for at least 28 days. You are now eligible to vote. Remember to take your ID to the polls.
Do you have a certified copy of your birth certificate?
If the answer is yes, take along with you 2 of the following: a checkbook, a savings account book, a major credit card, a health insurance card, a recent dated signed lease, a utility bill, a traffic ticket, or an employee issued photo ID to the Department of Motor Vehicles office. You can go to the the Dept. of Motor Vehicle located at 9700 Rayne Rd, Sturevant, WI. You must request that the $28 fee be wavered as the ID is being requested for voting purposes. It will take about 10 to 21 days for your new ID to arrive. In the meantime the DMV will issue you a receipt valid for up to 60 days. This receipt may be used to register to vote or serve as a valid identification at the polls.
no
If your answer is , the easiest way to obtain a birth certificate is to fill out the form at: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/for ms/fo/fo5291.pdf and mail it to the Wisconsin vital records office PO Box 309, Madison, WI 53701/0309.
If your answer is no and were born in another state, go to the Department of vital records in that state and search for birth certificate application.
You can now register and vote on election day in advance by visiting your municpal clerk’s office or by mailing an application to your municipal election clerk. The application must be postmarked no later than the 20th day(3rd Wednesday) before the election. You must provide evidence that you have lived at your resident for at least 28 days. You are now eligible to vote. Remember to take your ID to the polls.
Page 12 The Insider News Wisconsin, September 15-30, 2011
The truth may hurt: America’s Schools Still Don’t Make the Grade by Zack Burgess, Special to BlackAmericaWeb.com The system is broken. Public education is failing. The average fourth grader doesn’t even have the most basic skill set in common subjects, while school superintendents in urban centers throughout the country, who are trying to get it right, are being fired at record levels. Arlene Ackerman is gone after three years in Philadelphia. Teresa Gueyser was ousted last year in Detroit. Michelle Rhee is gone in Washington D.C.after ruffling feathers. And after several months of investigation, the state of Georgia recently released a scathing report on test cheating in Atlanta public schools. Something is wrong with this picture. It’s no secret that the relative decline of American education has become a national embarrassment and a serious problem for the nation’s future. Not too long ago, American students tested better than any other students in the world. Now, ranked against Europeans, America does about as well as Lithuania, behind at least 10 other nations. Within the United States, the achievement gap between white students and poor and minority students obstinately perseveres, and as the population of disadvantaged students grows, overall scores continue to fall. Students are struggling to do basic mathematical, scientific or literary activities that are reasonable for their age. Countless elementary-school students are not progressing from addition to multiplication; some never progress from adding on their fingers. Many middle-school students can’t consistently multiply in vertical formats, do long division, or convert fractions into decimals. And too many can’t read at grade level. Subjects other than literacy and mathematics – such as civics, history, economics, forensics, second languages, social studies, art, music, gym, geography, ethics and communication – are given short shrift or have been eliminated completely. High-school students are dropping out at unacceptable rates or they’re graduating without the basic skills they need to go to college, vocational school, the military or the work place. Up to 50 percent of high school graduates must take remedial classes before beginning their post-secondary life. As a consequence, an increasing number of parents perceive public school as inadequate. Some are choosing to supplement the regular program. Others are leaving public school altogether – sending their children to private schools, alternative schools or private tutors. More and more of them are making the hard choice to teach their children at home. Today, 14 urban school districts have ontime graduation rates lower than 50 percent. They include Detroit, Baltimore, New York, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, Denver and Houston. And among the nation’s 50 largest districts, three graduate fewer than 40 percent: Detroit (21.7 percent), Baltimore (38.5 percent) and New York City (38.9 percent). According to The Heritage Foundation, our students are not doing well on national assessments. The most recent NAEP assess-
ments indicate that less than one third of fourth graders are proficient in reading, mathematics, science and American history. More than half of low income students cannot even demonstrate basic knowledge of science, reading and history. Eighth graders ranked 19th out of 38 countries on mathematic assessments and 18th in science. And American 12th graders ranked 18th out of 21 countries in combined mathematics and science assessments. While the public wants to assume that what is wrong with the public education system is a lack of funding, this is not necessarily the case. It’s simply this: The foundation is bad. And until certain issues are addressed, no amount of funding will fix the problem. No one holds teachers and administrators accountable for the undereducated students that graduate every year, not to mention how schools have the ability to ignore par-
ents – and anyone else, for that matter. Don’t get me wrong; I believe there are great teachers out there, who are honestly trying to figure out how the system could be made better. There are scores of conscientious teachers, principals, parents and school staff who spend their days working on behalf of the students. They get the paperwork done, are friendly to students and come up with new, innovative, esteem-building programs. Lord knows I wouldn’t have succeeded without them. But since 1960, the amount spent per pupil has more than tripled after dollars have been adjusted for inflation, yet the education our children are subjected to is not three times better. Why isn’t the system being held accountable?
According to the Department of Education, public schools receive an average of $9,969 per pupil twice the average amount spent per student at private and charter schools. Some areas, like the District of Columbia, spend in excessbof $12,000 per public educated pupil. Where is that money going? Does anybody know – or perhaps more importantly – does anybody care? I think it’s air to say that there shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all prescription for education, yet that’s exactly what most students receive throughout our public schools. Wasn’t the No Child Left Behind Act created to fix our public schools? In fact, it has done more to damage the system than correct it. Under this law, extreme emphasis has been placed on test scores and punitive action, and school districts have been forced to train students for NCLB tests versus offering them the education they deserve. In March 2011, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan told Congress that more than 80,000 of the nation’s 100,000 public schools could be labeled as failing under No Child Left Behind. That’s 80 percent of our schools. Sad when you think about it. But we can’t totally blame the system. It’s just a referendum on the American public as a people. We have failed our students and ourselves.
Praise Him in song and dance Four members of Searching Together Missionary Baptist Church recently danced at the wedding of Stanley Cutrer and Ranee Marshall, at South Hill Country Club in Franksville, WI. Shown are Bri’Anna A. Price, Eylavia Smith, Jada Latiker, and Jalay Bumpers. Rev. Willie Riley is pastor of the church. Photo by Kenneth Lumpkin Page 13 The Insider News Wisconsin, September 15-30, 2011
Medicare open enrollment: What seniors with chronic illnesses should know By Vicki Ambrosius, Community Relations Manager, Care Improvement Plus If you or your loved one is a senior diagnosed with one or more chronic illnesses—such as diabetes and heart failure—you should inquire with your state
health insurance counseling program about eligibility to receive assistance from a Medicare Special Needs Plan—or SNP. With an earlier Medicare enrollment season this year, now is the time to learn more about how these unique programs can help. With the rising prevalence of chronic conditions among Wisconsin seniors, approximately 243,000 are eligible to receive assistance from these programs. Unfortunately, the majority of Wisconsin seniors with chronic illnesses are not enrolled and receiving support from chronic condition Special Needs Plans designed specifically for their unique health care needs.
Why? Simple: SNPs are relatively new addition to Medicare and many people don’t know that they even exist. These plans focus on the overall care of seniors living with one or more chronic illnesses, offering customized care and support to those who need it the most. Many plans employ nurses to help coordinate care across visits to doctors, specialists, and pharmacists. Having diabetes or heart failure requires this kind of specialized care. These illnesses, if not treated properly, can lead to serious complications and hospitalizations. Chronic conditions Special Needs Plans help prevent such complications by providing unique services such as inhome assessments to support continued health and coordinating care across the spectrum of services and providers, improving quality of life for chronically ill seniors. Those with both Medicare and full Medicaid coverage may also benefit from Special Needs Plans, as many of these individuals have complex health and social support needs which are supported by the free services these plans provide. With enrollment season beginning and ending early this year, starting on October 15th and ending on December 7th, seniors and their caregivers must quickly analyze, compare and select their 2012 coverage. However, Wisconsin seniors should know that if they or someone they know is diagnosed with a chronic illness, there are plans available that can help them manage their health. Vicki Ambrosius is the Wisconsin Community Relations Manager for Care Improvement Plus, a new Special Needs Plan in Wisconsin. To learn more about Special Needs Plans, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit www.medicare.gov. For information about Care Improvement Plus, call 1-866727-6646 or visit http://www.careimprovementplus.com.
Diverse business relationships are an important part of an evolving community. That’s why we’re dedicated to the success and advancement of minorityand women-owned businesses. Diverse businesses not only contribute to our supply chain and business strategies, but also to the communities we serve. From architectural and construction services to financial and legal services, minority- and women-owned businesses provide the resources needed for us to evolve together.
The Insider News Wisconsin is a community based newspaper published in Racine, Wisconsin. The newspaper covers a variety of events that highlight lifestyles in the African-American communities in Southeastern Wisconsin. The Insider News Wisconsin is a free publication, printed on the 1st and 15th of each month and is distributed in over 107 locations. All inquiries about advertisement or news should be made five to seven days before publication deadlines.
Visit www.wisconsinenergy.com/supplier to learn more about participating in the We Energies Supplier Diversity Initiative.
3001 Douglas, Avenue • Racine, Wisconsin 262.681.2345
2K11078-PC-IW
Yolanda James, President/CEO Dadra Lockridge, Account Representative Julius Gails, Staff Photographer
Page 14 The Insider News Wisconsin, September 15-30, 2011
Back to School Specials $10.00 OFF
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Page 16 The Insider News Wisconsin, September 15-30, 2011