Atlanta Daily World Digital Edition

December 6 - 12, 2012

Volume 85 Issue 19

ADW ATLANTA DAILY WORLD

The Spirit of Giving Show Us Some Love,

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AL SHARPTON

MARC MORIAL

MELANIE CAMPBELL

Mr. President!

Leaders Lay Out National Black Agenda Special to the Daily World

Lovette Russell is Noted Philanthropist and Fundraiser Special to the Daily World Lovely and graceful, caring and thoughtful, Lovette Twyman Russell embodies the spirit of philanthropy, which is the focus of this issue of the Atlanta Daily World.

Throughout the paper, readers will note stories that highlight Atlantans’ commitment to improving the quality of life for all in the community. This spirit underlines our city’s history and has been an annual feature of the World during the first week of December for decades.

Russell is a native of Atlanta who received her B.A. in psychology from Spelman College. After college she worked as a computer programmer for a small firm in Norcross, finishing her corporate career with the Xerox Corporation in sales and marketing.

While at Xerox, she met Michael Russell, a native Atlantan who is now the CEO of H. J. Russell & Company. They were married in 1992

and have two children, Michael Russell Jr., a first-year student at the University of Virginia, and Benjamin Russell, a senior at Woodward Academy.

“I am passionately dedicated to health, wellness and education for inner-city kids,” says Russell. She currently sits on the boards of Sheltering Arms, Zoo Atlanta, Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students, and the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation. She is also a trustee at Spelman College, chairperson of the Hughes Spalding Community Foundation Board, an advisor to YouthSpark, a member of Jack and Jill of America and a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

A former tri-athlete, Russell started racing 10 years ago and has completed four races, including the Honolulu Marathon.

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More than 60 of the leading civil rights, social justice, business and community leaders in the U.S. gathered recently in Washington, D.C. to discuss how to provide positive solutions to “key” issues in the Black community as President Obama embarks upon his second term.

The meeting was convened by Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League; the Rev. Al Sharpton of The National Action Network; Ben Jealous, NAACP national president; Melanie Campbell, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, and others.

“We leaders in the African-American community are gathered here today to convey our priorities for an agenda that moves our community towards economic empowerment and prosperity,” said Morial.

“We embrace our historic role as the conscience of the nation. We are united in our mission to support and protect the well-being of the African-American community.”

The leaders outlined steps to develop a public policy agenda for Black America.

The communique was as follows: • Achieve Economic Parity for African Americans • Promote Equity in Educational Opportunity • Protect and Defend Voting Rights • Promote a Healthier Nation by Eliminating Healthcare Disparities • Achieve Comprehensive Reform of the Criminal Justice System

“The plight of the African-American community underscores the urgency of our demand. The African-American community was disproportionately battered by the Great Recession, and has benefited the least from the fragile economy recovery.

“Unemployment remains unacceptably high; income inequality and the ever-widening wealth gap threaten to relegate the Black community to perpetual underclass status. Those who wish to curtail investment education and career preparation further dim the prospects for upward mobility for our young people,” the leaders wrote.

The leaders also pledged to vigorously oppose any effort by federal, state or local government to roll back the right to vote by supporting federal election reform, including the Voter Empowerment Act so that long lines at the polls will not be the rule instead of the exception.

“We are taking this from rhetoric to results -from people saying that we need an agenda to us sitting down and collectively coming up with one,” said Sharpton, whose National Action Network has been widely credited with successfully pushing back on voter suppression and getting out the Black vote, two key components of Obama’s re-election.

Read more at the following website: http://newsone.com/2095116/sharpton-leadersdeliver-black-agenda-for-obamas-secondterm/.

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December 6 - 12, 2012

Union City Achieves Key Health Goals

City Officials Get a Raise Special to the Daily World

Special to the Daily World The National League of Cities (NLC) has recognized Union City and Councilman Vince Williams for recent completion of key health and wellness goals for Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties (LMCTC). LMCTC is a major component of First Lady Michelle Obama’s com prehensive Let’s Move! initiative, which is dedicated to solving the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation.

“We applaud local elected officials in Union City stepping up to the challenge of Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties and making measurable progress in their efforts to improve children’s health,” said NLC President Ted Ellis, mayor of Bluffton, Ind. Seven medals were awarded to Union City for action taken to improve access to healthy affordable food and increase opportunities for physical activity. These medals were awarded because of the community’s: • Achievements in mapping all play spaces

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Collaboration with early care and educational programs • Reporting of important statistics regarding school breakfast and lunch programs • Development of a needs assessment and execution of an action plan for play spaces in the community.

"I want to commend our Union City Team and community partners for their dedication to making this a reality and supporting our unwavering commitment to eradicating childhood obesity, said Williams. “As a participant in this important movement, we will continue to lead and enhance the work of LMCTC. We've only just begun!"

More than 160 cities, towns and counties are participating in LMCTC. The National League of Cities awarded 541 medals to local elected officials across the country, recognizing these leaders for their progress in adopting long-term, sustainable, and holistic policies.

The Atlanta City Council has voted to approve a recommendation calling for a salary increase to take effect January 2014 after the 2013 election After an eight month review, the EOCC recommended a 33 percent increase in compensation, which according to its members is much more in line with other similarly situated cities.

The compensation for the Atlanta City Council ($60,300 for members; $62,000 for president of the City Council) is still substantially lower than that of their counterparts in cities such as Boston, Milwaukee, Denver, Portland, Seattle and Washington, D.C. While these cities are similar in population and budget, Atlanta elected leaders have a more expansive oversight responsibility, including that of managing the world’s busiest airport as well as the city’s massive sewer and water operations.

The measure passed by a vote of 10 – 4. Councilmembers Carla Smith, Cleta Winslow, Alex Wan, Howard Shook, Yolanda Adrean, Felicia Moore, Joyce Sheperd, Michael Bond, Aaron Watson, and H. Lamar Willis voted in favor of the measure, while Councilmembers Kwanza

The Spirit Of Giving

Students Scoring Higher on State Writing Test

Page 1 Now, despite an auto-immune condition that sometimes wears her down, she continues to train and help women and youths to get in shape.

“I think good health and fitness is a key component to well-being,” she says, adding with a charming smile, “even if it hurts.”

Russell’s community awards and involvement are many and varied. They include: • 2012 Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals • 2012 recipient of the Mary Caan Volunteer of the Year for the Lupus Foundation • 2012 co-chair of the Mayor’s Masked Ball, which benefits the UNCF • Chaired the 2011 Swan House Ball, the annual fundraiser for the Atlanta History Center • Co-chair of the New Look Foundation's annual fundraiser in 2011

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Hall, Natalyn Archibong, C.T. Martin, and Keisha Lance Bottoms voted against.

The increase in compensation will take effect in 2014 and has no current budgetary impact.

The Council has not received a pay increase since 2005; a fact many say hampers or limits the city’s ability to attract some of Atlanta’s top talent from seeking a position on the Council.

Councilmembers routinely work upwards of 60 hours per week on matters ranging from committee and neighborhood meetings, various taskforce and commission obligations, to community emergencies and other constituent needs.

Due to the responsibilities of the job, many councilmembers have either reduced outside employment status to part time or have relinquished outside employment entirely to better serve their constituencies.

The last recommendation for a salary increase came in 2008 but was rejected by Council. At that time councilmembers expressed concern for declining revenues, anxiety over the city’s ability to fund basic municipal services, and a need to ensure good stewardship to all taxpayers, constituents, and city employees.

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Co-chair of the 2011 Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce annual awards gala Chair of Girls Inc. annual fundraiser in 2011 Co-chair of the Inaugural Grady Hospital Gala in 2010 Co-chaired Zoo Atlanta's Annual fundraiser "The Beastly Feast" for 2009 Co-chair for the High Museum's David Driskell Prize 2009 Past Honorary Chair for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Talent Development Program 2007 and 2008 Honorary Co-chair of the YWCA “Open Your Purse” fundraiser YWCA Woman of Achievement for Community Service Atlanta Woman Magazine 2007 “Woman of Achievement”

Associated Press The Georgia Department of Education has announced high school students are performing slightly better on a statewide writing exam.

This year, 93 percent of high school students passed the Georgia State Writing Test compared with 91 percent in 2011. Officials say 88 percent of high school students passed the exam when it was first administered in 2007.

Education officials say the achievement gap between White, Black, Hispanic and special education students has also narrowed.

The two-hour persuasive writing exam is administered three times a year. Students begin taking the exam in their junior year, and must pass the test by the end of their senior year in order to receive their diploma.

Boys Who D.A.R.E. Please consider a gift of support for our latest initiative, Reading Around the World! We have scheduled a once in a lifetime opportunity of our young men to be part of history as they travel to Washington, D.C. for the Inauguration of President Barack Obama.

Find us on Facebook: boys who d.a.r.e., Inc. Fan Page

Website: boyswhodare.org Contact: Kimberly Boykin, Founder 770.309.2130 booksmatter2kim@gmail.com Donate online: http://www.gofundme.com/bwd-goesto-Inauguation or call for details to donate via PayPal

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Global Peace Convention Draws Distinguished Crowd Special to the Daily World Participants from around the world attended The Global Peace Foundation’s (GPF) Global Peace Convention (GPC) in Atlanta last week. Co-chaired by Georgia Sen. Emanuel Jones and Dr. Robert A. Schuller, the GPC resembled a mini United Nations summit with 40 nations represented.

Government officials (including 12 Latin American former presidents), activists, service entrepreneurs, students and volunteers from Asia to Africa, India, South America, and the USA, convened at workshops and panels on peace building through leadership and service within and between nations as a means to economic and social posterity.

Jones remarked that this “is the first time in Georgia history, that I am aware of, where we had this many Latin American former presidents in one place.”

More than 800 participants shared best practices, developed collaborative strategies and launched initiatives in areas of education, health care, environmental sustainability, community-driven development, and conflict resolution in line with the convention theme, “Moral and Innovative Leadership: Building Healthy Families, Ethical Societies and a Global Culture of Peace.”

The Rev. Dr. Bernice King,

Magic Johnson Honored at Urban League Dinner

December 6 - 12, 2012

SENATOR EMMANUEL JONES

daughter of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in her speech to the GPC at their welcoming banquet, stated "I earnestly believe that if my father were living today, his heart would be warmed by the work of this great organization around the world. And in fact, I believe without a shadow of a doubt, he would be a part of your group.”

Convention activities served to clarify the importance of principled leadership not only in public office, but in corporate life, the non-profit sector, and other areas of civic life as a precondition for social cohesion and peace. Presenters from Atlanta and around the world led dialogues and discussions on bridging societal gaps and forging benevolent intercultural commerce, as well as tolerance.

For highlights of the convention visit www.globalpeaceconvention.org.

(Photo by Willie Tucker,WET Media/Larche' Communications)

Pictured (from left) are Nick Nelson, Liquid Soul chief marketing officer, Urban League of Greater Atlanta (ULGA) board member and Equal Opportunity Day (EOD) Dinner chairman; Noni Ellison Southall, Turner Broadcasting Systems Inc. senior counsel and chair of ULGA board of directors; Earvin "Magic" Johnson, ULGA EOD Dinner Business Champion honoree; Nancy Flake Johnson, ULGA president & CEO; and Richelle Carey, news anchor, HLN, EOD Dinner MC. Other honorees were: H. J. Russell Family, Family Heritage Champion; R. Lawrence Ashe Jr., Esq., Legacy Champion; Chaka Zulu, Emerging Business Champion; Usher New Look Foundation, Community Service Champion; Macy's, Program Partner Champion; Wells Fargo Bank, Supplier Diversity Champion; and Young Professionals and Guild, League Auxiliary Champions. Magic Johnson made a surprise donation of $50,000 and Wal-Mart presented the Urban League of Greater Atlanta with at $100,000 check during the dinner attended by over 700 guests.

East Point Firefighting Heroes Recognized

Special to the Daily World

East Point Firefighters and crew members who rescued two children from a burning house fire were recognized recently before the East Point City Council.

On Nov. 26, East Point Fire Crews responded to a structure fire located at 2732 Valley View Drive. Upon arrival, crews found heavy smoke and flames consuming the kitchen. Firefighters immediately entered the structure and performed a search and rescue, which led to the discovery of two children, ages 12 and 3 in a bedroom.

Lieutenant Scott Thompson rescued the 12-year-old female who was unresponsive and not breathing. Lieutenant Cedric Chaney rescued the 3-year-old boy who was unresponsive with shallow breathing. Upon being removed from the structure, CPR was performed on the 12-year-old girl and her breathing resumed. Both children were transported to Grady Memorial Hospital's Burn Unit.

East Point Fire Chief Rosemary R. Cloud called the firefighters' efforts exemplary.

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"It is times such as these when we are called to act swiftly and heroically that firefighters demonstrate the precision and skill of their training," said Cloud. "At the forefront of what we do is the thought of preservation of life. To have saved the lives of two young children as our firefighters did is a heroic effort that deserves the greatest recognition."

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LT. CEDRIC CHENEY

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December 6 - 12, 2012

Families Need Toys For Wal-Mart Lawyer To Tots Now More Than Ever Receive 2013 ABA Award Special to the Daily World

Every year businesses and community organizations all across Atlanta partner with the U.S. Marine Corps for the Toys For Tots campaign. As a result, the metro area is among the largest Toys For Tots drives in the country, with more than 750,000 gifts distributed in 2011.

United Way and Publix Supermarkets are among those who assist with the massive collection and distribution effort. Through Dec. 22, drop off new unwrapped toys at any Publix in Greater Atlanta. And, United Way is providing a critical link for families to request help.

By logging on to 211 online.unitedwayatlanta.org or by dialing 2-1-1, families can be connected to authorized agencies in their community to request toys. Keep in mind no family should be asked for donations to receive toys. If this happens, please report the agency by dialing 2-1-1.

Special to the Daily World

Bobby Price of ABC Elite Youth Foundation sees firsthand the need for Toys For Tots. “In this economy, it’s tough. A lot of parents are having a tough time providing the necessities, let alone toys for Christmas,” he says. “It’s been awesome to work with Toys For Tots because quite often five days out from Christmas we don’t have enough toys and because of this program [the toys] come, so this is a godsend for the community.”

If you wish to volunteer with Toys For Tots, log on to atlantatoysfortots.com. Shifts are available now for sorting and distributing at the toy warehouse in Norcross. Donate toys for newborns through age 12. Gifts for ages 11-12 typically experience shortages, so consider board games, basketballs, electronics, watches and more for this age group.

GA Attorney General: Beware of Sandy-Damaged Cars for Sale Special to the Daily World The Georgia Office of the Attorney General and Governor’s Office of Consumer Protection are warning consumers who are in the market for used cars to beware of flood-damaged vehicles in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

“Many previously-flooded vehicles are recycled into the economy and end up being sold at auction. They may then be sold at used car lots or through online classified ads,” the warning notes.

Officials say that cars that were flooded in Hurricane Sandy may have been written off as “salvage” or “totaled” by insurance companies in other states, though this may not appear on their titles. “With new or recently-shampooed upholstery and carpeting, and perhaps some minor body work, the damage on these vehicles may be very well disguised and difficult for even a professional to detect. Nonetheless, electrical problems are practically guaranteed, and the brakes, airbags and computer system may have been seriously compromised.”

They suggest that when shopping for a used

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car, truck, van or SUV, be vigilant for signs of flood damage in the vehicle you are considering purchasing. “A musty odor may be noticeable, and water marks may be evident or fabrics faded. Metal may be flaking prematurely, and rust, mud and grit may be hidden in the crevices where water would not normally reach,” the warning says.

“Always ask to see the title of the car before signing anything or handing over any money.

Check to see whether the car has been branded as “flood”, “junk”, “salvage”, “rebuilt” or “reconstructed”,” the report continues.

Vehicle history can be checked by going to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System: www.vehiclehistory.gov, and entering the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This is the only database where all auto insurers, salvage pools that auction off totaled cars, junkyards, recyclers and self-insured entities such as rental car companies in all 50 states are required by law to report total loss vehicles within 30 days. The cost for a report ranges from $3 to $13.

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Walter Sutton, associate general counsel for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in Bentonville, Ark., will receive the 2013 Spirit of Excellence Award from the American Bar Association Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession.

The award, which celebrates the accomplishments of lawyers who promote a more racially and ethnically diverse legal profession, will be presented Feb. 9 at the Hilton Anatole during the ABA Midyear Meeting in Dallas.

A trailblazer in diversity, Sutton has transcended racial barriers throughout his career. He was the first African American to work as a lawyer at both Tenneco Oil Co. and Texas Instruments. He was the first African American to receive a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Dallas. He was the first African American to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s regional counsel’s office in Dallas and the Dallas Environmental Health Advisory Committee.

The Dallas Bar Association presented Sutton with the 2012 Martin Luther King Award, which is given to a leader who demonstrates the values and ideals of Dr. King. ABA Past President William T. (Bill) Robinson also recognized Sutton with an ABA Presidential Citation during the association’s 2012 Annual Meeting.

At Wal-Mart, Sutton is responsible for the development and coordination of diversity for its legal department. He also

serves as the chairman of the Board of Trustees at Wiley College, a four-year, private, historically Black, liberal arts college in Marshall, Texas.

“Walter Sutton epitomizes the values advanced by the Spirit of Excellence Award. His illustrious career has led him all over the country, from corporations to schools to government roles and back,” said Reginald Turner, the chair of the ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession.

“At every step, he has taken care to perform with professionalism, diligence and collegiality, and to advocate for diversity and inclusion with tremendous effectiveness,” Turner added. “Walter has secured his place in history as a champion of equal opportunities in our noble profession.

He continues to mentor and inspire young lawyers and law students who are certain to follow in his path.”

WALTER SUTTON

Local Tax Expert Lists Top 5 Tax Moves To Make NOW Special to the Daily World Over the next few weeks, it will be easy to get lost in the excitement of holiday shopping. But Metro Atlanta tax expert Sonia Millhouse says that sales taxes shouldn’t be the only thing on consumers’ minds.

“Tax season is right around the corner, and that means consumers have until Dec. 31 to make important money-saving moves that could significantly increase their tax refund amounts or reduce their tax liability,” says Millhouse, who works for Jackson Hewitt Tax Service in Union City.

Millhouse lists the top five things to do between now and Dec. 31 to reduce taxable income and increase deductions or credits to claim. These include: • Think about any life changes you had in 2012 and find out how these may impact your tax return. Many common events, like having a baby or buying a home, can trigger tax credits or deductions.

• Get to know your neighborhood tax preparer. Not only can working with a paid preparer provide you with a better understanding of taxes when filing a 2012 return, it can also put you in a good place for upcoming tax years – especially if you know changes are coming down the road.

• Gather all your tax documents for 2012 and 2011. Having your prior-year tax return on hand may help speed up the filing process this year.

• Make year-end tax moves that reduce taxable income, such as giving to charity, prepaying your January mortgage payment or tuition or increasing your retirement plan contributions.

• Set a target date to file as soon as you can, note it on your calendar – and keep it! Not only can filing early help you get any refund money owed to you at an earlier date, but it may also help safeguard you from identity theft.

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CAU Students Entertain Children Photo by Desmond Dickerson

More than 300 neighborhood children from the Atlanta Preparatory Academy attended Clark Atlanta University’s (CAU) annual “‘Tis the Season” celebration recently, where they received lunch and toys donated by CAU students, faculty and staff during the five-hour Christmas party. CAU student groups also entertained the children with skits and step shows.

Pictured here posing as Santa and elves are students Aja Seldon (from left), Bryan Atkinson and Dante Jenkins.

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Tzegaegbe is GA Tech Marshall Scholar Special to the Daily World A Snellville native and Georgia Tech civil engineering graduate student Jacob Tzegaegbe has been chosen to receive the prestigious Marshall Scholarship. The award is bestowed annually to intellectually distinguished students from the United States pursuing post-secondary education in England.

Tzegaegbe is Georgia Tech's 10th Marshall Scholar and the only Tech student to receive the scholarship this year.

Tzegaegbe plans to use the scholarship to pursue his doctorate in civil engineering at University College London beginning next October. The scholarship will pay for all education-related expenses during his two years in London.

“The topic for my doctorate is undecided at this point but will likely focus on evaluating best practices in context-sensitive design for major transportation infrastructure projects in developing countries,” he said.

“My hope is to work with professors in the Bartlett School of Planning to learn more

about how to plan infrastructure in developing countries.”

Tzegaegbe earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 2011 and is currently a second-year graduate student in Civil and Environmental Engineering’s Infrastructure Research Group. Born to a Nigerian father and Israeli mother, Tzegaegbe is the first in his family to attend college.

“My parents might be the only people more excited than I about the news,” he said. “Both of my parents immigrated to America just before I was born, so their sacrifices and hard work have always been, and continue to be, a major motivation for me. I know that coming to Georgia Tech, and now pursuing my doctorate with this scholarship, would not have been possible without their support, encouragement and sacrifices.”

Tzegaegbe is no stranger at Tech where his athletic abilities, community activism and intellectual prowess have earned him a reputation as a model student.

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December 6 - 12, 2012

A Worthy Challenge: Giving Georgia Sight and Sound Special to the Daily World It is estimated that nearly 1.6 million Georgians lack access to the vision and hearing services that they need.

In addition, 49 percent of Georgians living in poverty are uninsured and another 15 percent have Medicaid, which often does not cover eyeglasses.

The Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation works to fill these gaps and provide Georgia residents with the vision and hearing care they need. Judith Kerr, Clinic Coordinator said, “Many of the people we serve are living on very low incomes. If a parent receives glasses and can go back to working, it can change an entire family’s life.”

The Lighthouse spends $119,000 a month providing eyeglasses, eye exams, sight saving surgeries and hearing aids to on average 550 Georgians in need. This year the Lighthouse was challenged to raise $80,000 in individual gifts in order to receive an additional $20,000 grant. As of now, the Lighthouse is $15,000 away from its goal.

While the monetary impact of $20,000 is undeniable, its impact on the lives of Georgians is even greater.

When a child cannot see the blackboard they often miss out on crucial education. When a parent cannot see to drive, or worse drives without proper vision care, it puts everyone on the road at risk. However, for many families affording the new pair of eyeglasses that they need is too much of a stretch.

When Patrick Austin of Atlanta became unemployed, he knew to turn to the Lighthouse. Said Austin, “I used

to refer people to the Lighthouse, then when I became unemployed myself, I applied for their services.” Having previously worked in human services, Austin understands the growing need for the Lighthouse.“The need is tremendous. There are definitely people who are hurting, and being able to get glasses a little or no cost is a huge benefit for them.”

Connie Wallace, a DeKalb County resident who has received both eyeglasses and hearing aids from the Lighthouse, said she can she a difference in the most basic, but important things, “Now I can see the red light, I know that it is a light. I know that it is a car in front of me and not just a color.”

For those who give donations to the Lighthouse on Georgia Gives Day, their gifts will be matched, dollar for dollar. Visit www.lionslighthouse.org/give to make a donation.

Special Photos

Judith Kerr (top) is the Children’s Clinic Coordinator at the Lighthouse since 2012. Connie Wallace (left) is an eyeglass and hearing aid recipient and Lighthouse advocate.

New Playground Turns Children’s Dreams to Reality Special to the Daily World A dream becomes a reality for children in Griffin when their drawings are turned into a new playground this Saturday. In less than eight hours, a play space will be built at The Salvation Army Community Center for Boys & Girls with the help of more than 200 volunteers from The Salvation Army, the McDonald’s Foundation and KaBOOM!, a nonprofit organization.

The new 3,025 square-foot playground will serve hundreds of children in the community for years to come.

“Our playground facilities have been inadequate, consisting of only six swings,” said The Salvation Army’s Major Jack Butler. “With the addition of this new playground, provided by our partners, we will see the faces of our young people brighten. We will have a safe and wonderful environment for all children in our neighborhood and community program to come and enjoy.”

Planning for the playground began at a Design Day event held in October when local children and community leaders met with organizers to design their dream playground. The children's drawings were then used to create the final playground design.

“McDonald’s is committed to supporting community-based programs that benefit families and children,” said Sharlene Smith, vice president and general manager, Atlanta region, McDonald’s.

“Playgrounds are where many children develop physical skills and friendships.”

“Unfortunately, play is on the decline across the country as only 1-in-5 children live within

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walking distance of a park or playground,” said Darell Hammond, KaBOOM! founder and CEO. “Every child deserves to have a great place to play and thanks to the efforts from the McDonald’s Foundation and The Salvation Army, we are able to build a fantastic new playground.”

The playground is the sixth of 12 playgrounds scheduled to be built by mid-2013 as part of a new partnership between McDonald’s Foundation and KaBOOM!. These projects will assist KaBOOM! in achieving its vision of a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America.

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December 6 - 12, 2012

Non-Profit Provides Beds for Atlanta Children Special to the Daily World A Good Night Sleep, a Los Angeles-based non-profit dedicated to providing beds to those transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing in partnership with The Furniture Bank of Atlanta and The Atlanta School District, has announced that 100 Atlanta-area children will have a bed to nestle in this Christmas. And with the help of Toy Box of Hope all 100 children will also receive a toy!

A Good Night Sleep (AGNS) was launched in 2010 after its founder, Jennifer Kenning, watched the 2009 blockbuster, “The Blindside.” She was overcome with emotion after watching the scene where Leigh Anne

Tuohy, Michael Oher’s guardian mother, shows him his new bedroom complete with a bed, something he had never had before. She began searching for a way to make an impact for those without a bed, only to realize that there was not a single organization with this purpose. With that, Jennifer set out to provide “A Good Night Sleep” for those in need.

Since its launch, AGNS has successfully donated 767 beds to various organizations throughout the country. To date they have partnered with the Los Angeles Downtown Women’s Center, The Shelter Network in San Francisco, PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) in San Diego, Humble Design in Detroit, The Salvation Army’s Haven Program for Veterans in Los Angeles and most recently, in Louisiana, UNITY of Greater New Orleans.

The Furniture Bank of Atlanta, founded in 1988, much like AGNS, was started in response to the lack of furniture for families moving out of homeless shelters. Today the Furniture Bank provides essentials to those moving out of homelessness, battling HIV/AIDS, and fleeing domestic violence.

St. Vincent de Paul’s Sullivan Center Gives Hope to Georgians Special to the Daily World For more than 110 years, St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Georgia, the nonprofit organization that provides nutritional, financial, material, and education and training needs, has assisted the Georgia community. SVdP is dedicated to serving individuals regardless of their background, ethnicity, and religion and has provided hope to the poor and underserved since 1903.

Last year, the SVdP helped more than 201,000 Georgians through its 38 food pantries, 10 thrift stores, and six family support centers (FSC) located in Chamblee, Dallas, McDonough, Stone Mountain, West End, and its newest center located at the Sullivan Center on Dill Avenue in Atlanta, which primarily serves an African-American population.

The Sullivan Center was founded 30 years ago by Sister Marie Sullivan as an expansion of the Christian Emergency Help Center. On Oct. 6, 2012, the Sullivan Center officially merged into St. Vincent de Paul In addition to family support, the center provides a computer lab and homework area for the children in the community. Many elderly clients stop by to work in the community garden located in the rear of the building, where fruits and vegetables are grown and sent to local markets to raise funds for the Center.

Between January and October 2012, the Sullivan Center assisted 90 Journey Program clients with financial assistance totaling $52,771.25; 16 United Way Partnerships with financial assistance totaling $8,251.31; 729 families with food from its food pantry; screened 1447 clients for earned benefits, and assisted 322 clients find employment.

To ensure the organization continued to provide these assets to the community, SVdP hired Serene Coleman in February 2009. Today she is the director of Client Services and manages the Sullivan Center's programs and services.

She incorporated programs including the VITA tax assistance program and CredAbility, an online financial

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St. Vincent de Paul staff located at the Sullivan Center from left are Serene Coleman, Eileen Gray, Keisha Rivers, Sabrina Douglas, Sister Carol Patron, and Gerald Towns (not pictured) provide valuable services to the Atlanta community. literacy program to help SVdP clients learn about the importance of personal finances and budgeting. In 2010, she was a vital part of partnering with Kroger in the Food Recovery and Distribution Program, with more than 20,000 tons of perishable food donated to SVdP each month and distributed to SVdP's local food pantries to feed the hungry.

Today, 40 Kroger stores in metro Atlanta participate in this program.

Coleman is also responsible for building partnerships with other Georgia agencies to assist clients and build a base of referrals used by 74 local volunteer community groups throughout Georgia. She is actively involved in community partnerships including Gas South, the United Way 2-1-1, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, and St. Joseph Mercy Care.

For more information on SVdP and The Sullivan Center, contact communications@svdpatl.org or call 678-892-6160.

Visit the website at www.svdpatl.org, or view them on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.

Secretary of State Gives Advice on Donating Special to the Daily World Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp offers advice to individuals planning to donate to charitable organizations during the holiday season. Secretary Kemp serves as Georgia’s charities regulator.

Secretary Kemp said, “At this time of year, let’s make the most of our contributions to individuals and families in need. Many wish to give back to those less fortunate through charitable organizations, and I ask that donors familiarize themselves with an organization before giving to ensure legitimacy, so their gifts may be used properly.”

Secretary Kemp issued the following tips for charitable giving: • Research charities before you contribute. The percentage of your contribution that a charity spends on fundraising activities, employee salaries, or expenses that do not directly support the charity’s stated mission varies greatly by organization.

• A number of online resources can help you research charities. The Better Business Bureau (give.org) and GuideStar (guidestar.org) provide detailed information about nonprofit organizations. Also, take time to review the organization’s own website.

• Be wary of telephone solicitors asking for contributions. If you are solicited by phone, ask that the individual put their request in writing and provide complete information about the charitable program. Also, ask if the person conducting the solicitation is a volunteer or a paid solicitor.

• NEVER give your credit card, debit card or bank account information to a telephone solicitor. Also, be particularly cautious of couriers willing to rush out to your home or business to pick up your contribution.

• If a tax deduction is important to you, make sure the organization has a tax-deductible status with the Internal Revenue Service. Many charitable solicitors ask for contributions of clothing, other household items and vehicles. IRS rules concerning valuations and receipts have changed significantly in recent years; be sure you understand them completely (irs.gov/charities/contributors).

• Not all organizations with charitable sounding names are actually charities. Many organizations adopt names confusingly similar to well-known charities. Be sure you know exactly who is asking for your contribution.

Citizens can file complaints against a charitable organization on the Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Boards Division website at http://www.sos.ga.gov/plb. If you have additional questions, call the Georgia Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Boards Division, which oversees charitable organizations, at 478-207-2440.

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ENTERTAINMENT ADWnews

December 6 - 12, 2012

Top Ten Black Celebrity Philanthropists Special to the Daily World Have you ever wondered who our nation’s top Black celebrity philanthropists are? Many African-American celebrities give of their personal fortunes, along with their time and talent to improve the world. Some give quietly, while others have created foundations to further enhance and promote their giving. For their list, Black Voices identified the top 10 Black celebrities and professional athletes who have made the most substantial and historic philanthropic gifts of all time — including some new leaders in the arena. The list may surprise you.

Russell simmons

denzel WasHingTon

lou RaWls

oPRaH WinFRey

Tom JoyneR

Jackie Robinson

TyleR PeRRy

bill cosby

micHael Jackson

eaRvin JoHnson

‘This is the Story’ at DeKalb’s Discover ‘The Holiday Spirit’ at History Center Sanford Performing Arts Center

Special Photo

Special to the Daily World The Atlanta History Center's annual holiday program, The Holiday Spirit, offers family activities that celebrate the season. Holiday crafts, live music, decorations, theatrical performances, and a visit from Saint Nicholas provide opportunities for families with little ones to create holiday memories.

Featured activities include time travel to explore holidays past at Smith Family Farm and Swan House, where guests encounter friendly “Spirits” from the 1860s and the 1930s.

At Smith Family Farm, guests meet members of the Smith household and their neighbors as they prepare for the holidays and welcome soldiers returning from Civil War on furlough. Demonstrations

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of blacksmithing, candle-dipping, and open-hearth cooking showcase time-honored traditions of the South.

At Swan House, guests observe holiday decorations and meet the individuals who kept the house running during the busy holiday season, including the gardener, chauffeur, and maid.

The event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Center located at 130 West Paces Ferry Road. The program is free to members and included in the cost of general admission for nonmembers. Purchase advance tickets online and save.

For information about this program or to purchase admission tickets visit AtlantaHistoryCenter.com/Family or call 404-814-4000.

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Special to the Daily World The McClendon Performing Arts Institute presents its annual Christmas dance show called “This Is the Story” through Dec. 9.

The dancers, ranging from ages 2 to adult, will deliver performances at DeKalb County’s Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive in Decatur.

Mitchell Kelly of “So You Think You Can Dance” fame, and former student of the McClendon School of Dance, along with Shalay Johnson, who is also a former student and former principal dancer with Eleone Dance Theater in Philadelphia, will portray the roles of Joseph and Mary. Gospel great Lydia Pace of the Pace Sisters will also perform during the show.

“The Story” delivers inspirational dance and musical performances by the students of

the legendary 30-year-old McClendon Performance Arts Institute. “The Story” has been offered to sold-out audiences for more than 13 years. Featuring traditional Christmas music with soul and a twist, “The Story” uses sights, sounds and emotions to depict the traditional story of Christmas.

This year, “The Story” will be held Thursday and Friday, Dec. 6 and 7 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 9 at 5 p.m. Run time is approximately 2-2.5 hours. There is open seating.

General admission tickets are $20 advance/$25 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased by emailing bmiley@mcclendonarts.com.

For more details, call McClendon Performing Arts Institute at 404-343-0201.

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PRAISE ADWnews

December 6 - 12, 2012

Handbell Concert Rings in the Holidays

Special Photo

A Jingle Jolly Handbell Concert featuring choirs from Antioch A.M.E Church, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Friendship Baptist Church and Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church will be held Sunday, Dec.16 at 4 p.m. The event rings in the holidays at the Fine Arts Department’s Marvin Cole Auditorium on the Clarkston campus of Georgia Perimeter College. Pictured is the handbell choir of the Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church.

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Religion News Writers Eligible for $5,000 Scholarships Special to the Daily World RELIGION | NEWSWRITERS invites journalists to apply to its Lilly Scholarships in Religion Program. The scholarships give full-time journalists up to $5,000 to take any college religion courses at any accredited institution at any time.

Religion headlines are dominating news coverage on topics ranging from politics to Islam in America. Now is the perfect time to dig deeper into today’s hottest stories. More than 250 people have already taken advantage of RELIGION | NEWSWRITERS’ Lilly Scholarships in Religion Program for Journalists.

Topics reporters have studied include: Islamic Movements, God & Politics, Religion & Conflict Resolution, Politics of International Religious Freedom, Buddhism in the West, Violence and Liberation, Muslim-Christian Relations in World History and many more.

“This class (Introduction to Religious Studies) gave me new tools and pedagogical frameworks with which to approach religion and religious subjects in my work producing daily headline news and features,” said Jenka Soderberg, KBOO Community Radio.

The scholarships can be used at accredited

colleges, universities, seminaries or similar institutions. Journalists can choose any religion, spirituality or ethics courses.

Scholarships cover tuition, books, registration fees, parking and other course-related costs.

Online and travel classes are also eligible (as long as travel costs are part of the curriculum).

All full-time journalists working in the general circulation news media—including reporters, editors, designers, copy editors, editorial writers, news directors, researchers and producers—are eligible, regardless of their beat.

The next scholarship application deadline is Jan. 1, 2013. Scholarships must be used within three months of their award date.

RELIGION | NEWSWRITERS is the world’s only association for journalists who write about religion in the mainstream news media. The scholarships are offered through its non-profit arm, the Religion Newswriters Foundation, with funding from the Lilly Endowment Inc. Complete information about the Lilly Scholarships in Religion program is available at http://bit.ly/j8MOOg. Direct questions to Amy Schiska at 573-355-5201 ext. 3#, or Schiska@RNA.org.

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11

ADWnews SPORTS

December 6 - 12, 2012

Atlanta Dream Coach Fred Williams Signs New Deal Special to the Daily World Fred Williams will start the next WNBA season the way he finished the previous one: as the head coach and general manager of the Atlanta Dream. Williams, who engineered a mid-season turnaround after being promoted last August, has signed a new contract to remain in his role.

"The Dream finished strong last year under Coach Williams, and we're confident he is the person to give the team an even brighter future in 2013," said Dream CEO Ashley Preisinger. "Dream games are an exciting, affordable place for socializing, family fun and business networking, and the heart of it all is watching elite basketball.

That starts with the coach."

When Williams was promoted from assistant coach to head coach and general manager in August, the 2011 Eastern Conference champions were sitting at a 12-12.

Williams led the team to a 7-3 record over the final 10 regular-season games, winning seven of eight games during one stretch. Atlanta qualified for the 2012 WNBA Playoffs for the fourth consecutive year under his guidance before falling to eventual WNBA champion Indiana in the conference semifinals.

"I'm thrilled to continue the winning tradition here and take it to the next level," said Williams. "When you come to a Dream game, you know what you're getting: an energetic atmosphere and competitive, highlevel basketball played with intensity every night. It's going to be an exciting season as we build toward our ultimate goal of winning a championship."

Williams, who has been part of the Dream staff since its first season in 2008, has three decades of coaching and scouting experience. He has extensive experience in the WNBA, having previously served as head coach of the Utah Starzz for three seasons from 1999-2001, and as an assistant coach with the Charlotte Sting for two seasons from 2003-04.

The two-time Eastern Conference champion Atlanta Dream will compete in its sixth season in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) in 2013. The Dream qualified for the playoffs in each of the past four seasons, including back-to-back conference titles in 2010 and 2011. Season tickets for the 2013 season are now available and can be purchased by calling 877-977-7729 or visiting www.AtlantaDream.net.

Hammonds House Museum is Expanding Our Reach!

Imagine...going beyond the boundaries of our West End home to make our gallery of African American art available to art lovers around the World.

Falcons Youth Foundation and NFL PLAY Boost Local Kids Special to the Daily World The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation (AFYF) announced it has awarded $81,000 to local nonprofit organizations using innovative ways to increase time Georgia kids spend in physical activity and to increase access to affordable, healthy food.

The grants include $5,000 to the Atlanta Local Food Initiative (ALFI) for the 2012 Food System Summit, scheduled for tomorrow at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The grant is providing scholarships for residents and nonprofit to attend the event.

AFYF's latest round of grants also includes awards to the Atlanta Track Club: $60,000 over two years to deliver the kilometer Kids youth running program, serving at least 3,000 Atlanta youth annually; the Atlanta Ballet: $6,000 for the Centre Dance program, integrating dance classes into the standard academic curriculum for 1,500 students before, during and after-school; and Georgia Organics: $10,000 for the 2013 statewide conference "Farm Rx: A Prescription for Better Health" featuring Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Additionally, when the Atlanta Falcons hosted division rival the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome, the Falcons’participation in the game benefited Madras Middle School in Newnan, Ga., through the NFL PLAY 60 DonorsChoose.org Showdown.

The program, which was launched this year by the NFL in partnership with DonorsChoose.org, features two deserving

Special Photo

youth health and fitness projects from the cities of the two teams competing in the Thursday Night Football game. The winning project will be 100 percent funded by NFL PLAY 60, and the other will be 50 percent funded.

To enter for a chance to win a visit from the NFL PLAY 60 Bus at your school or community center, tell them what your community needs to help kids from kindergarten to 8th grade PLAY 60 every day and stay active and healthy. Your school or community center may end up winning just what you asked for.

To participate, submit your email address, enter your contact info, submit your essay answers and upload a photo. This contest is open to US teachers, school administrators, PTO/PTA leaders and after-school/community center program leaders of grades kindergarten through 8th grade.

We're digitizing our extensive collection of resource materials and revamping our website so that anyone, anywhere can access our rich collection of information on art and artists of the African Diaspora. By making these resources available to scholars, educators, students and the public at large, Hammonds House will become a major online resource of African American art across the globe.

You can help make this happen...

Please help fund this project on Raise It Up, a non-profit crowdfunding website for arts organization. It's simple. Visit our page today and choose any level ranging from $10 - $500.

In return for your contribution, we will send a small gift as a token of our appreciation.

Share this project page and video with your friends and ask them to make a contribution, too.

Without your support, the story of Hammonds House Museum and its valuable resources will not be heard around the world. We need your help to begin our digital migration to the next generation.

The move ahead starts today!

www.RaiseItUp.com

12

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CLASSIFIED ADWnews

December 6 - 12, 2012 HoW to pLAce A cLAssiFieD AD

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ADWnews VIEWPOINTS

December 6 - 12, 2012

NNPA SPOTLIGHT

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

BY GEORGE E. CURRY

BY JULIANNE MALVEAUX

The Right-Wing Witch Hunt Against Susan Rice Media Matters, the media monitoring group, has published a report titled, “Myths And Facts About The Right-Wing Witch Hunt Against Susan Rice.” It is a point-by-point rebuttal of some of the most flagrant lies being told about United Nations Ambassador Susan E. Rice, President Obama’s leading candidate to succeed Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. Below are some of the highlights: MYTH: Rice Fabricated Statements As Part of An Obama Administration Cover-Up. FACT: A Washington Post editorial [11/22/12] noted: “Ms. Rice’s Comments” On Sunday Shows “Were Based On Talking Points Drawn Up By The Intelligence Community.” It explained: “As congressional testimony has established, Ms. Rice’s comments on several Sunday television talk shows on Sept. 16 were based on talking points drawn up by the intelligence community. She was acting as an administration spokeswoman; there was nothing either incompetent or deliberately misleading about the way she presented the information she was given.

MYTH: Rice Had No Reason To Connect Benghazi Attack To Anti-Islam Video.

FACT: Rice Said Benghazi Attack Was A Response To Violent Protest At U.S. Embassy In Cairo … “On-the-ground accounts indicate that Ms. Rice’s description of the attack, though wrong in some respects, was accurate in others. Witnesses to the assault said it was carried out by members of the Ansar al-Shariah militant group, without any warning or protest, in retaliation for an American-made video mocking the Prophet Muhammad.” [The New York Times, 11/27/12] MYTH: Rice Prematurely Gave A Definitive Assessment Of The Attack.

FACT: During Sunday Shows, Rice Repeatedly Emphasized Ongoing Investigations And Cautioned Against Jumping To Conclusions. RICE: … first of all, it’s important to know that there’s an FBI investigation that has begun and will take some time to be completed. That will tell us with certainty what transpired.

“But our current best assessment, based on the information that we have at present, is that, in fact, what this began as, it was a spontaneous – not a premeditated – response to what had transpired in Cairo. In Cairo, as you know, a few hours earlier, there was a violent protest that was undertaken in reaction to this very offensive video that was disseminated.

“We believe that folks in Benghazi, a small number of people came to the embassy to -- or to the consulate, rather -- to replicate the sort of challenge that was posed in Cairo. And then as that unfolded, it seems to have been hijacked, let us say, by some individual clusters of extremists who came with heavier weapons, weapons that as you know in – in the wake of the revolution in Libya are – are quite common and accessible. And it then evolved from there.

“We’ll wait to see exactly what the investigation finally confirms, but that’s the best information we have at present.” [ABC News, “This Week with George Stephanopoulos,” 9/16/12] MYTH: Rice Should Have Called The Attack Terrorism Because She Saw Classified Intelligence Suggesting Possible Al Qaeda Involvement.

FACT: References To Al Qaeda Were Removed To Protect National Security …

The New York Times reported on Nov. 16: “David H. Petraeus, the former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, told lawmakers on Friday that classified intelligence reports revealed that the deadly assault on the American diplomatic mission in Libya was a terrorist attack, but that the administration refrained from saying it suspected that the perpetrators of the attack were Al Qaeda affiliates and sympathizers to avoid tipping off the groups.

There are legitimate questions that should be asked of Susan Rice such as her service on the National Security Council at the time of the Rwandan genocide and her role as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. But her confirmation should rest on her answers to legitimate questions, not an illegitimate political witch hunt.

George E. Curry, former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine, is editor-in-chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA.) He is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. Curry can be reached through his website, www.georgecurry.com.

You can also follow him at www.twitter.com/currygeorge.

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The Season to be Careful

Okay, I’ll admit it. I am truly the Grinch who wanted to steal Christmas. It takes me until about Dec. 23 to get in the spirit, and I only feel obligated to find gifts for children and close family. I like to give, which is why I share with a few charities that are close to me. I like to connect, which is why I have a greeting card ritual. But all this crazy frenzy after Thanksgiving, before Christmas sale stuff truly repels me. And while I don’t want to put a damper on anybody’s sprit, I want to say that this is the season to be careful.

After all, we live in a consumer-oriented society. When we spend, other people get paid. When we spend other people are blessed. But if you spend what you don’t have then you are sliding down your own fiscal cliff, and you won’t have a pillow to protect you. The average American will spend about $900 this year on Christmas gifts and toys, but that means that half will spend more. ‘Tis the season to be careful.

Some of the biggest scams come from charities. They will reach you through email, snail mail, and even text mail. They may ask for a little or a lot. You’ve got to ask where your money is going. Some organizations take as much as 80 percent of your gift, which means that the people you want to help get just 20 percent of your money. Before you send a penny, ask the right questions. Too many charities lean on this time of year to make their money, but if the whole truth is told, they are really leaning on this time of year to make a living. Check these folks out online, and look for their annual reports. If their overhead is more than 15 percent, walk on by.

Another scam is the garbled name scam. You may think you are giving to a worthy program, such as the Police Athletic League, only to find that you are giving to the nonregistered Police Athletic Program. You may think you are giving to an African American cause, only to find that a garbled name takes you someplace else. Americans want to give, and African Americans are among the most generous, based on the percent of income we give. But give with your head and not with your heart, and ask solicitors important questions.

One of the other scams is the sale scam. If you buy it now, you will get a sale that will never, ever, in your lifetime be replicated. So you stand in line all night for the 52foot TV for $239, while the store has only 10. Find some furniture you like only to be told it is 50 percent off today, but not tomorrow. Retailers are playing on your greed and your panic. If you take your time, you might find an even better deal. And if seems too good to be true, it is.

Scruffy little children will come to your door this time of year, asking for money for their church, for magazine subscriptions, for all form of causes. You may want to slip the child a few pennies, but please know they aren’t going to make more than that with the magazine subscription scam, or with the church solicitation. In fact, most churches run their own solicitations, so maybe ask for the name of the church and call them before you make a donation.

I suppose I am the Grinch because I am dismayed that our holiday season that supposedly celebrates the birth of the Christ child has turned into a commercial orgy with people shopping for a full five weeks. It has also turned into a solicitation orgy with almost every organization you have ever known asking for end of year contribution. In the middle of all this drama, the purpose of the holiday is swallowed.

I am weary of seeing frenzied faces anxious for the next sale, or children (and grown folks) defining their worth by what goodies they pick up. I am weary of the folks who go into crazy debt to prove a point, to buy affection, to shower folks with gifts when they should shower them with love. Can we be careful with our wallets and open with our hearts?

I hope that we will all remember and embrace the meaning of Christmas and not the crassness of consumerism.

Julianne Malveaux is a Washington, D.C.-based economist and writer. She is president emerita of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, N.C.

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December 6 - 12, 2012

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A NEILSEN REPORT

MY PART OF THE WORLD

BY CHERYL PEARSON-MCNEIL

BY M. ALEXIS SCOTT

We’re More Connected Everyday I love this time of the year. Oh, yes – the holidays, too – but, I am referring to the release of the newest Nielsen Cross-Platform Report. The latest edition is called A New Connected Community, analyzing the constant shifting in how and where consumers watch our content. I love the idea that through the marvels and growth of technology, “the community” of consumers is all of us, one people – multiple generations, all ethnicities and races, breaking down socio-economic boundaries. We are connected. To each other and to our content. And, boy do we consumers love our visual and informational content. Big time. 24/7. Let’s break it down.

Keeping it Old-School According to the report, Americans spent more than 34 hours a week in front of a TV set in the second quarter of 2012. Being sophisticated consumers (and regular readers of this column, right?), we know that being in front of a TV can mean watching traditional TV, timeshifted TV, DVDs or game playing. And, as we all know and have discussed here, TV isn’t what it used to be when many of us were growing up.

Instead of three or four channels and rabbit-ears, there are hundreds of channels from which to choose and several sources of content distribution that require no antennae: broadcast, cable, satellite, telco or internet connection.

For African Americans, those numbers skew higher. We know from the African-American Consumers: Still Vital, Still Growing 2012 Report, that on average we spend nearly six-and-a-half hours a day of television viewing in all of its forms.

The New and Not-So-New Kids on the Block Then there are those near-ubiquitous extensions of us – our smartphones and tablets. Smartphones now claim more than 50 percent of the market. Penetration of these devices is, however, highest among ethnic groups.

Sixty-two percent of African Americans, 60 percent of Hispanics and 70 percent of Asian Americans in the U.S. own smartphones. The conclusion is that smartphones provide an opportunity for American consumers who might not have regular access to a computer to get on the Internet. As for tablets – they seem to be everywhere with new models offered by any number of providers at a dizzying rate. Just two years ago, tablets were a novelty. In that short period, this device has found its way into nearly 20 percent of American homes. Tablet ownership among African Americans, however, remains low at about 11 percent. You know what the really cool thing is about tablet ownership? The data shows that young folks don’t corner the market on trying the newest or the latest in this instance. Tablet owners tend to be older and more affluent.

Multitasking Masters All of us are becoming more adept at doing it all, engaging our smartphones or tablets while watching TV. The latest cross-platform report calls it “Simultaneous Usage” and some of it looks like this: Eighty-five percent of tablet and smartphone owners use their devices at least once a month while watching TV. Do you know what this means for all of us as consumers? It means advertisers, marketers and media companies have new ways and ever-growing opportunities to woo us and reach out to us with their messages. So even more . . . you matter.

Cheryl Pearson-McNeil is senior vice president of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Nielsen. For more information and studies go to www.nielsenwire.com

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Join in the Spirit of Giving The spirit of giving epitomizes this season from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

Dec. 6 is St. Nicolas Day, celebrating the 4th century saint who was the pre-cursor to Santa Claus. The legend goes that Nicholas went around giving gifts overnight as people slept with no indication of where the gifts came from.

In addition, Dec. 6 has been designated “Georgia Gives Day,” an opportunity to take advantage of the new technology to support the work of nonprofit organizations in our community. Paste this link (https://www.gagivesday.org/c/GGD/p/AboutUs/) into your web browser and you will find that Georgia Gives is a collaboration of the Georgia Center for Nonprofits (GCN) in partnership with participating nonprofits, state agencies, corporations and businesses, associations, foundations and public relations and advertising firms. Through the use of social media, the effort enables participants to generate online donations from their supporters.

“Now, we are creating an opportunity for everyone, in every corner of the state, to support the causes that make Georgia great,” declares the Georgia Gives website. … “It’s about everyone pulling together to support the organizations and causes right in our own backyards and across the state that have been a part of our lives since day one.”

The GCN is a 20-year-old organization that includes some 1,200 organizations, and serves as a cornerstone of support for the Georgia nonprofit and philanthropic community by delivering a wide range of services and support.

Some of the organizations that participate are very familiar to most of us. They include the United Way of Greater Atlanta, Girl Scouts, Red Cross, Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Good Will, and Families First.

So it is on this day -- Dec. 6 -- that ADW celebrates the spirit of giving with our annual philanthropy issue. We take a look at some of the very good work, and the people doing it, that is going on within the community. Enjoy our look at Lovette Russell, who was named Volunteer of the Year by the Georgia Chapter of the National Association of Philanthropy Executives. In addition to raising a lot of money, she has given a lot of time. She is the perfect poster child for philanthropy by giving her “time, talent and treasure” to make our community better and stronger in every way.

We are delighted to shine this spotlight on the spirit of giving in Atlanta. Happy Holidays to you and yours as you share in this season of love.

P.S.: If you haven’t already, don’t forget to visit www.adwnews.com to sign up today for the ADW Digital Daily.

The ADW Digital Daily is our new daily e-newsletter that brings you news and information, summarized and at your fingertips. Delivered every afternoon, we aggregate what’s hot and trending in Politics, Business, Sports, Technology and Entertainment at the local and national level.

M. Alexis Scott is publisher of Atlanta Daily World.

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ADWnews AROUNDTOWN

Nancy Flake Johnson, Atlanta Urban League president, is flanked by ADW Publisher M. Aelxis Scott (from left), Georgia Piedmont Technical College President Jabari Simama, Dekalb CEO Burrell Ellis and League client Karen Decoux at the 51st annual League gala.

Photos By M. Alexis Scott

Photo by Daniel Fowler

December 6 - 12, 2012

Bill Hawthorne (right), senior vice president of Macy’s, stands with former Macy’s colleague and Atlanta Urban League Vice Chair Gail Nutt before receiving Program Partner Champion Award on Dec. 1.

Stacy Cole of Comcast and Atlanta Urban League assistant secretary, is flanked at the Marriott Marquis by her sisters Cecily Cole (left), chief neurologist at Kaiser Permanente SE, and Joey Cole, CNN senior producer.

Photo by Wendell Brown

Deborah Richardson (from left), executive vice president of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, stands with program participants at her group’s Women’s

Empowerment Breakfast. They are Desiree Rogers, Carol Jenkins, M. Alexis Scott, Soledad O’Brien, Abby Disney, Monica Pearson, Geneva Overholser, Dyllan

McGee and Scarlet Pressly-Brown, Center vice president of marketing.The program on women and media was for the Center’s Women’s Solidarity Society.

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