Weekly Press Week of Nov 22, 2012

Have A Blessed And Safe

THANKSGIVING BATON

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

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Civil Rights Scholar, Litigator, Author, Philanthropist and Civic Leader to Return to America’s Premier Legal Organization Fighting for Racial Justice WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) announced Sherrilyn Ifill will become its next President and Director-Counsel in January 2013. LDF has fought to expand political participation, forestall injustice in the criminal justice system, broaden the avenues of educational opportunity, defend economic freedoms and further the nomination and appointment of fair-minded and diverse judges through impact litigation and advocacy for over seventy years.

Ms. Ifill is a long-time member of the LDF family. Early in her career, she served as assistant counsel in LDF’s New York office where she litigated voting rights cases, including the landmark Voting Rights Act case Houston Lawyers’ Association vs. Attorney General of Texas.

In 1993, Ms. Ifill joined the faculty of the University Maryland

School of Law where she continued to litigate and consult on a broad and diverse range of civil rights cases while grooming the next generation of civil rights lawyers. A critically acclaimed author, her book “On the Courthouse Lawn: Confronting the Legacy of Lynching in the 21st Century,� reflects her lifelong engagement in and analysis of issues of race and American public life. She is a respected civil rights strategist who provides regular political commentary on both national and local television and radio programs particularly during Supreme Court nomination hearings. “It was a dream come true to serve as a lawyer at LDF years ago, and it is a high honor to return to this premiere institution as President and Director Counsel,� Ms. Ifill said. “I am looking forward to working with the LDF team, allies and partners to advance an innovative 21

Civil Rights Attorney & Law Professor Sherrilyn Ifill Named President and Director-Counsel of NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF)

The Port of Greater Baton Rouge Celebrates 60 Years!

La. Learders to Host South Baton Rouge Christmas Parade BATON ROUGE, LA - Join Councilwoman Tara Wicker and State Representative Patricia Smith for the Annual South Baton Rouge Christmas Parade, “A Winter Wonderland.� The parade will roll on December 1st at 10:00 a.m. starting at McKinley High School.

Mr. and Mrs. McKinley will serve as the Grand Marshalls for the parade this year. The focus for this year’s parade is celebrating our youth and the wonderful things they have accomplished. “As we begin to look forward to this holiday season, what better way to celebrate than with our Annual South Baton Rouge Parade? Our community

PORT ALLEN, LA - The deepwater port known today as the Port of Greater Baton Rouge was created in 1952 by an act of the Louisiana legislature. Construction began two years later and the first vessel, a molasses carrier called the S.S. Clarisse, called on the port in 1956.

From the arrival of that first ship, the port has served as an economic engine for the parishes of East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Ascension and Iberville by providing jobs and attracting industry to the region.

The outlook for the port is very positive today in the areas of international trade, maritime commerce, manufacturing and new industrial expansion. Under the direction of the Port Commission, the Port of Greater Baton Rouge will continue to actively promote and grow the assets of this vital public maritime facility.

century civil rights practice that confronts the barriers to equality and justice in the lives of the most marginalized members of our community.� “Sherrilyn Ifill brings to this position her visionary leadership, keen intellect, an unwavering commitment to social justice and a deep understanding of LDF’s legacy,� stated David W. Mills, Co-Chair of LDF’s Board of Directors. “With Sherrilyn at the helm, LDF will be stronger as the fight for racial justice in the 21st Century continues,� noted Co-Chair of the Board of Directors Gerald Adolph.

Sherrilyn Ifill is a professor of law at the University Of Maryland Francis King Carey School Of Law and a civil rights lawyer who specializes in voting rights and political participation. She served as former assistant counsel at the NAACP See JUSTICE, on page 2

La. Legislative Black Caucus to Hold 28th Annual Bayou Classic Scholarship Jazz Brunch BATON ROUGE, LA— The Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus (LLBC) and the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus Foundation (LLBCF) will hold its 28th Annual Bayou Classic Scholarship Jazz Brunch Saturday, November 24, 2012 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The brunch will be held at The Hyatt Regency New Orleans in the Celestine Ballroom, located at 500 Poydras Street in New Orleans, La. The Bayou Classic Scholarship Jazz Brunch serves as a fundraiser for LLBCF and as an informational and motivational forum for the constituents of

The Port of Greater Baton Rouge

See PARADE, on page 3

MOTIVATING STUDENTS FOR ACADEMIC...

See BRUNCH, on page 3

STATE & LOCAL NEWS

BUSINESS NEWS

RELIGION NEWS

HEALTH NEWS

The LSU Mid City Clinic will dedicate a live oak in recognition of World AIDS Day, on the clinic campus, at 1401 N. Foster Drive, in Baton Rouge, La., on Friday, November 30, in a ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. ...See Page 7

INDEX

15 YEAR OLD AUTHOR ALLEN The Motivating Students for Academic & Career Success Program has been put on a fast track to begin incorporating its chapters outside of Louisiana and to have it completed by spring 2014. ...See Page 2

Raheem Allen made his debut by publishing a novella entitled “I AM RICK - ZANE’S DESTRUCTION� and it is available on Amazon in paperback also, it is available for download on Kindle.. ...See Page 3

BR HOTEL RECEIVES AWARD

Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel, developed by Wampold Companies of Baton Rouge, La., has received the prestigious “Best New Product�

Award from Marriott International, Inc. Marriott Internationa...See Page 5

CHRYSTAL RUCKER BENEFIT CONCERT

LIFE AND FAVOR, available August 28, marks another milestone for one of Gospel music’s greatest pioneers Pastor John P. Kee. ...See Page 6

Local & State ...........................2 Commentary............................4 Business...................................5 Religion ...................................6 Health ......................................7 Sports ......................................8

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National President of NPHC, National Urban League CEO Gives Support to Motivating Students for Academic & Career Success The Motivating Students for Academic & Career Success Program has been put on a fast track to begin incorporating its chapters outside of Louisiana and to have it completed by spring 2014. The organization which began back in 2009 has received the national attention and support from some very influential individuals both far and near who have all stated that they support the goals and objectives of the organization and they support the leadership of Montrell McCaleb as the organization’s First National President and CEO. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., National President Cynthia M.A Butler-McIntyre who also serves as a member of the Motivating Students for Academic & Career Success Board of Trustees was the first NPHC President to come out in support of the organization and she is main reason McCaleb and his organization has had the success it has had in the communities in which the organization serves and the NPHC Community as well.

Sense’s Mrs. McIntyre’s letter of support the organization has received the support and blessings from the National President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Mrs. Mary Breaux Wright, Dr. Andrew A. Ray, National President of Omega Psi

The Weekly Press Newspaper is a published weekly in Baton Rouge and distributed every Thursday with a circulation of 7,500.

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Picture from left to right is Reverend Dr. Gwendolyn E. Boyd 22nd National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., with Motivating Students for Academic & Success National President Montrell McCaleb at his installation banquet as National President, along with 24th National President Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre and Ms. Carolyn E. Lewis, and National Internal Audit Chairwoman and Former National Treasurer for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Mr. Aaron Crutison Sr., Acting General President of Alpha Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, and Mr. Marc Morial, National President and CEO of the National Urban League.

When asked about how he feels about the support the organization has received the national president stated that it is an honor and privilege to be recognized by individuals who are well respected in their community as well as on a national level. “Montrell McCaleb has distinguished himself as one of Louisiana’s most dynamic leaders, earning the respect of people from across the state and nation,� Says Board of Trustee Member Carol T. Cranshaw who also serves as General Manager for the Capital Area Transit System. “Throughout his career in both business and public service,

JUSTICE

he has demonstrated an ability to approach important matters strategically and creatively.

With the increase support from these individuals the organization will see an increased in all of it’s resources which includes the number of mentors who are going into the schools to mentor the students the organization serves.

McCaleb who is one of the founding officer of Motivating Students will serve a four-year term from 2012-2016. During that time, he will guide policy, develop programs and set the leadership tone for Motivating Students for Academic & Career Success 8,000 members. McCaleb will also continue Motivating Students commitment to service. “Keeping the Connection, Building on the Past, and Focusing on the Future� will be the 2012-2016 theme.

The McCaleb administration

from page 1

Legal Defense & Education Fund, Inc., where she litigated voting rights cases, including Houston Lawyers’ Association v. Attorney General of Texas, in which the Supreme Court held that judicial elections are covered by the provisions of section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. In addition to teaching in the classroom, Ms. Ifill launched several innovative legal

clinics while at Maryland Law School, including an environmental justice clinic, and one of the first legal clinics in the nation focused on the legal rights of exoffenders. She is a respected civil rights strategist and public intellectual whose writings, speeches and media appearances enrich public debate about a range of civil rights issues. She is also an

will address issues related to Social Justice and Human Rights, Health, Poverty, Economic Security, and Education.

The organization has also enjoyed some local support as well from individuals like Southern University System President Dr. Ronald Mason Jr., Southern’s Flagship Chancellor Dr. James Llorens, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux II who is considered one of McCaleb’s mentors, Warren Drake, Network Leader for the Louisiana Department of Education, Attorney Dwayne Murray, Immediate Past National President of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, and Paul Rainwater who serves as Chief of Staff to Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal.

If you want to support the Motivating Students Program you can contact them at 225771-8105 active and respected civil leader in the city of Baltimore and for the past two years has served as the Chair of the U.S. Programs Board of the Open Society Foundations, one of the largest philanthropic supporters of civil rights and social justice organizations in the country.

NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (Abbreviate as LDF) Founded in 1940 by Thurgood Marshall, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Inc. is the leading legal organization fighting for racial justice in America.

Editor’s Note: If the organization’s name needs to be shortened, please refer to it as “LDF� and not the “NAACP.� Although LDF was at one point part of the NAACP, it has been a different and unaffiliated organization since 1957.

Please contact Brenda Arredondo at (202) 587-4945 any additional information.

MARGE'S

CHIT CHAT

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE! As we pause to thank Him for the blessings of the past year, we must not forget to thank Him for the lessons we have learned through our difficult times. We are not to be Marge thankful for just the pleasant, easy things, Lawrence but ALL things.

- Millie Stamm **** Forever on Thanksgiving Day The heart will find the pathway home.

- Wilbur D. Nesbit **** Giving thanks to God for both His temporal and spiritual blessings in our lives is not just a nice thing to do - it is the moral will of God. Failure to give Him the thanks due Him is sin.

- Jerry Bridges, Respectable Sins **** “Life without thankfulness is devoid of love and passion.

Hope without thankfulness is lacking in fine perception. Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude. Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road.

- John Henry Jowett **** On Thanksgiving Day we acknowledge our dependence.

- William Jennings Bryan **** Thou hast given so much to me, Give one thing more, - a grateful heart; Not thankful when it pleaseth me, As if Thy blessings had spare days, But such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.

- George Herbert **** The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.

- H.U. Westermayer **** “Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude.�

- E.P. Powell **** “So once in every year we throng Upon a day apart, To praise the Lord with feast and song In thankfulness of heart.�

- Arthur Guiterman, The First Thanksgiving **** “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.�

- John Fitzgerald Kennedy **** “If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,� that would suffice.�

- Meister Eckhart **** “Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.�

- W.J. Cameron **** “He who thanks but with the lips Thanks but in part; The full, the true Thanksgiving Comes from the heart.�

- J.A. Shedd **** “Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.�

- Edward Sandford Martin **** “For flowers that bloom about our feet; For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet; For song of bird, and hum of bee; For all things fair we hear or see, Father in heaven, we thank Thee!�

- Ralph Waldo Emerson **** “The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!�

- Henry Ward Beecher **** “Praise God even when you don’t understand what He is doing.�

- Henry Jacobsen See MARGE, on page 5

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7KXUVGD\ 1RYHPEHU Â&#x2021; The Weekly Press Â&#x2021; 3DJH 3

FEMA Advisers Offering Home Repair Tips in Three Parishes BATON ROUGE, LA - Property owners who are rebuilding after Hurricane Isaac can receive a free consultation with Hazard Mitigation advisers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at home improvement centers in East Baton Rouge, Jefferson and Orleans parishes.

The advisers can offer tips and techniques on how to protect homes from future disasterrelated damage and other measures to make homes stronger and safer; they also offer advice on topics such as: emergency preparedness ! roof repair ! re b u i l d i n g f l o o d e d homes ! home elevation ! flood insurance ! mold and mildew cleanup Most of the information and free publications provided are geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

The mitigation stations are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, through Tuesday, Nov. 27, except on Nov. 20 and 22, Thanksgiving Day. East Baton Rouge Loweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1777 Millersville Road Baton Rouge, LA Jefferson Parish Home Depot 2625 Veterans Blvd.

Kenner, LA Orleans Parish Loweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 5770 Read Boulevard New Orleans, LA For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www. twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook. com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog or call 1-877-730-7838.

PARADE

Baranco-Clark YMCA Hosted Its Inaugural Legends Ball

Pictured from left: Bob Jacobs CEO YMCA of the Capital Area, Eddrick Martin Baranco-Clark YMCA Executive Director, Michelle McCalope event EMCEE -reporter for WAFB, Jeff LeDuff Former Baton Rouge Police Chief and Legends Ball Honoree, Dale Brown Former LSU Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basketball Coach, Mayor-President Melvin â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kipâ&#x20AC;? Holden

BATON ROUGE, LA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Baranco-Clark YMCA hosted its first annual Legends Ball and raised $8,000 on Friday, Nov. 21 at the Holiday Inn South on Airline Highway. The BarancoClark YMCA Legends Ball is an event, which honors special individuals that have impacted the Baton Rouge community

BRUNCH

through their years of service and demonstration of having social responsibility.

The honorees included former LSU menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head basketball coach, Dale Brown, and former Baton Rouge Chief of Police, Jeff Leduff. The event had an opportunity for pictures with the honorees, along with food,

from page 1

the LLBC. Proceeds collected from the brunch will be used for the LLBC Scholarships.

During the Jazz Brunch the LLBC will present the Avery C. Alexander Civil Rights Award, the Pinkie C. Wilkerson Humanitarian Award and the Charles I. Hudson Visionary Award. These awards are named in honor of three former members who worked diligently to raise the quality of life for African -Americans in the areas of human rights, civil rights, education, healthcare, policy reform, and economic development.

The award recipients for this year are Dr. Cuthbert O. (CO) Simpkins, Sr., former State Representative for District 4, for the Avery C. Alexander Civil Rights Award, Alma C. Stewart for the Pinkie C. Wilkerson Humanitarian Award, and Supreme Court Justice Bernette J. Johnson for the Charles I. Hudson Visionary Award.

For additional information, please contact the LLBCF at (225) 342-0406.

Or call Contact: Todd L. Sterling at 225-229-1906 for additional information.

from page 1

is always eager for a great time.

So come one, come all to enjoy a Winter Wonderland in South Baton Rouge,â&#x20AC;? said State Representative Patricia Smith. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am so looking forward to this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event. So often we focus on the negative things concerning our youth. This is our opportunity to showcase all of the awesome, hopeful, and positive things that our kids have accomplished,â&#x20AC;? said Councilwoman Tara Wicker.

During this wonderful time of year we invite everyone to come out as we celebrate a Winter Wonderland in South Baton Rouge.

Anyone wishing to make financial contributions to help purchase toys for needy kids and cover parade expenses should contact State Representative Patricia Smithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office at 342-7106 or Councilwoman Tara Wicker at 389-8720.

15 Year Old Author Raheem Allen

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All proceeds will benefit YMCA programs and services including but not limited to health and wellness, childcare, seniors, sports, aquatics and teens.

With hundreds of YMCA services around the greater Baton Rouge area, the proceeds from the ball will help individuals and families have an opportunity to be a part of the Y. Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;auberge Casino Hotel, Agnes Andrews Allstate Insurance Agency, Louisiana Lottery Corporation, Glen Big Baby Davis Foundation, and the Tyrus Thomas Foundation sponsored the Baranco-Clark YMCA Legends Ball.

BATON ROUGE, LA - Raheem Allen made his debut by publishing a novella entitled â&#x20AC;&#x153;I AM RICK - ZANEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DESTRUCTIONâ&#x20AC;? and it is available on Amazon in paperback also, it is available for download on Kindle.

Presently Raheem is a sophomore at Baton Rouge High School and he is placed in all Advanced classes at Baton Rouge High School.

He has be on the honor roll numerous of times throughout his school career.

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Raheem Allen

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Please contact Raheem Allen at 225-279-8334 or by email at scotlawood@gmail.com for more information.

COMMENTARY 7KXUVGD\ 1RYHPEHU Â&#x2021; The Weekly Press Â&#x2021; 3DJH

Vouchers Face Days in Courts

BY JOHN MAGINNIS AND JEREMY ALFORD The most significant legislation ever signed by Gov. Bobby Jindal faces two big days in court when his administration answers challenges to his school voucher law before state and federal judges during the week following Thanksgiving.

43 school boards in a trial set for Nov. 28 in state district court are testing the law, providing private-school tuition to more than 5,000 public school students.

Before then, the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lawyers have to tell a federal judge on Nov. 26 why the law does not interfere with a desegregation order for Tangipahoa Parish schools.

The Tangipahoa Parish School Board argues that it is unable to comply with the federal desegregation order, including new school construction, because of the diversion of local tax funds to the voucher program.

The diversion of local funds is also the basis for the school boardsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; constitutional challenge in the state case. The Jindal administration counters

that the law is constructed so that no local funds go to vouchers.

Instead, an amount equivalent to the state and local portion is deducted from payments to local school districts for each voucher student.

U.S. District Judge Ivan Lemelle will conduct the first hearing. After that, Jimmy Faircloth, who is representing the state along with state Department of Education lawyers, hopes Lemelle will wait to rule on the matter until after the case in state court is decided. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we are right that these are not local funds, there is no federal case,â&#x20AC;? said Faircloth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If they (the school boards) are correct, then maybe there are federal issues.â&#x20AC;? Bob Hammonds, attorney for the school boards, did not return a call for comment.

Faircloth does not expect a long state trial. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is really an issue of law,â&#x20AC;? he said. If the state loses in district court, it can appeal directly to the state Supreme Court. If the state prevails, the Supreme Court has the discretion to accept writs or to have the appeal go first to the Court of Appeal.

Tulane Professor and Weekend Host Melissa Harris Perry Calls Out Jindal in MSNBC â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Letterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Dear Gov. Bobby Jindal â&#x20AC;Ś itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s me, Melissa.

Mind if I call you by your given name, Piyush? No? You prefer â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bobbyâ&#x20AC;?? OK. Bobby, you are the governor of a poor state.

21.6% of your constituents live below the official poverty line. 20% of them lack health insurance. We rank 49th in child well-being. And we boast one of the worst income inequality gaps in the nation.

Being governor of a state with this much poverty and inequality ought to give you a special sense of urgency, but you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to give a damn. What you do care about, is reaching higher office. And why not?

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re term limited in Louisiana and the White House will have an opening in four years.

So for you, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on to the next one right? Looks like your 2016 machine is raring to go.

Head of the Republican Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Association â&#x20AC;&#x201D; check!

Chastising the defeated Romney for his â&#x20AC;&#x153;giftsâ&#x20AC;? comments â&#x20AC;&#x201D; check! Calling on Republicans to â&#x20AC;&#x153;stop being the stupid partyâ&#x20AC;? of dumbed-down conservatism and encouraging them to reach out to a broader base â&#x20AC;&#x201D; check!

Not bad for the national

stage Bobby. But what about your backyard?

Those Louisianans without health insurance could benefit from the Medicaid expansion that President Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Affordable Care Act would provide.

Because in Louisiana more than 68% of those Medicaid recipients are poor children. But youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d much rather lead 15 other states in massive resistance against so called Big Government â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and tell your constituents â&#x20AC;&#x201D; good luck with the private sector.

Speaking of the private sector, it seems like youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d also like to sell off our kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; education to the highest bidder. That educational voucher system you established? The largest one in the country? The one that gives vouchers to religious schools that teach creationism and allows them to keep their state funding even if their students fail basic reading and math tests? Yeah that one.

Well, we are not fooled.

This is not about reform. It as about, as the Interfaith Alliance wrote, your inability to â&#x20AC;&#x153;distinguish between religious indoctrination and basic public education.â&#x20AC;?

And you think you might

BY JULIANNE MALVEAUX NNPA Columnist When I think of Thanksgiving Day, I think of family, gathered around a table that groans with turkey and dressing, green beans and candied yams, mac and cheese or whipped potatoes, and lots of other goodies. I look forward to seeing folks I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seen in a while, savor the food and fellowship, bring in the late evening over coffee and pie. Nobody is rushing out to go shopping â&#x20AC;&#x201C; most people save that for the Friday after Thanksgiving, often called, Black Friday, because many stores find themselves in the black after the profligate shopping that day.

There have been tragedies associated with Black Friday.

A few years back, a Walmart employee was trampled to death by a crowd way too eager to get to the consumer goods. There have also been altercations, bruises, and cuts as customers have vied for some of the scarce goods available or for crazy deals (often only for the first 200 people). Lines often snake around stores as people wait for a chance for a bargain.

Now Walmart has upped the ante. Last year, they opened at 10 p.m. and this year they will open at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Just

See LETTER, on page 5

Federal Highway Administration Rebuked for Inadequate Safety Standards for Signalized Intersections Every day millions of U.S. drivers risk serious accidents caused by traffic signals with yellow-light timings that are set too short.

That is why the National Motorists Association (NMA) has sent an urgent appeal to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) head Victor Mendez to change current federal guidelines by mandating acceptable yellowlight durations. In a letter dated Nov. 15, the NMA cited specific safety benefits of setting proper traffic signal cycles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Short yellow lights force many responsible motorists to make split-second decisions that can lead to unwarranted traffic tickets, or worse, intersection collisions,â&#x20AC;? said NMA President Gary Biller. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The current federal guidelines on yellow-light durations consist of inadequate

The Scam that Stole Thanksgiving

recommendations, not proven engineering requirements.â&#x20AC;?

The NMA letter highlighted a study that determined a onesecond increase in the yellow-light interval reduced intersection collisions by 40 percent. The letter also pointed to an example of a major U.S. city that is deficient in its yellow-light intervals by one second because of inadequate guidelines by the FHWA. In addition, red-light camera operators use this national standards deficiency to set yellowlight times that frequently donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give drivers enough time to stop as the traffic light turns from yellow to red. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cities and for-profit camera companies maximize revenue by setting yellow-light times that are too short,â&#x20AC;? Biller said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a violation of the public trust, and See FEDERAL, on page 7

BY JAMES CLINGMAN

when folks settle down from their meal and start swapping lies, someone is going to have to get up and rush to work so they can serve those consumers who want to shop on Thanksgiving Day. Many of those who will work do so out of desperation.

Many Walmart employees donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a full 40-hour shift; some find their hours adjusted each week. Thanksgiving work will augment scarce incomes.

Just this week, I talked with a couple whose joint income at Walmart is $26,000 a year, partly because neither has a full weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s schedule.

There are those who ask, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well, why do they work there?â&#x20AC;? as if there are easy alternatives. But Walmart is one of our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest employers, and they often set the tone for similar stores such as Best Buy, Sears and others.

With Walmart opening at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving, their competitors will follow because they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to lose momentum to Walmart.

This is why some Walmart employees are protesting the way that Walmart treats its employees. They want to inform the public of illegal actions that Walmart has taken against its employees, and have initiated a series of protests, including strikes, rallies, an online campaign, and other actions. Their orga-

nization, Making Change at Walmart, says that Walmart can help revive our economy if they will simply offer workers full-week schedules and fair pay.

Barbara Ehrenreich captured the ways that people are forced to work at a store very much like Walmart in her book, Nickeled and Dimed.

She wrote about the workers who were forced to work â&#x20AC;&#x153;off the clock,â&#x20AC;? after they had punched out, or before they punched in. She wrote about the low pay. And she wrote about those supervisors who had made a deal with the devil â&#x20AC;&#x201C; implementing unfair policies for their own survival.

When Walmart employees speak out there is retaliation.

They are fired, or their hours are cut back. They very swiftly get the message that speaking out will be punished. Too many silently seethe at unfair policies; too dependent on the little pay they get to raise their voices.

This is why the Making Change at Walmart campaign is so important. It challenges the notion that economic growth is dependent on the exploitation of workers, and suggests, instead, that paying people a living wage is a way to grow a stable and secure workforce.

Walmart is not the only company that prefers to pay

its workers on a part-time basis. Many fast-food operations do the same thing, varying hours each week so that workers have no way of knowing when they will work. This means they have difficulty arranging for childcare with these variable hours.

Of course, that this does not concern their employers. They are more interested in their bottom line, profits.

Many who are aware of the labor exploitation at Walmart say that their prices and deals are unbeatable, and with their money tight they have no choice but to seek the best bargains they can find. Yet the price of the great deals is exploitation of another worker.

The action to inform Walmart customers about Walmartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unfair pay and illegal actions allows people who shop on Thanksgiving Day and on other days to make informed decisions about their shopping. One of the ways consumers can make a statement is to stay home on Thanksgiving Day, enjoying family, giving thanks, and postponing shopping.

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

Falling off the Fiscal Cliff

Will we jump from the cliff?

Congress and the president will determine whether we fall, jump, or back away from the cliff. While I trust they will get together and make the right decision, I think we should be prepared for the worst case scenario. How do we prepare? First of all, learn what the fiscal cliff and its implications are for your personal economy.

Too often we put ourselves in a position of having to react to things that have taken place while we were sleep, literally and figuratively. We had better stay awake on this one, folks.

In general, the fiscal cliff refers to $7 trillion in tax increases and spending cuts that will take place on January 1, 2013. For most of us, on a personal level, it means that we can say, Adios, Sayonara, Cheerio, Ciao, and Goodbye to that increase in take home pay, called the Obama payroll-tax holiday, we have been enjoying for the past year or so. Most workers would see a 2 percent tax increase instead because the â&#x20AC;&#x153;holidayâ&#x20AC;?

was at the expense of the Social Security tax.

The broader impact on the economy would be dire as well.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates it would cut gross domestic product (GDP) by four percentage points in 2013, sending the economy into a recession. It also predicts unemployment would rise to 9 percent with a loss of 2 million jobs. Neither individual workers nor the economy as a whole can absorb that kind of hit.

With a little less than two months to prepare, you probably should be doing what the big corporations have been doing for a while now: Holding on to your cash. They have also been converting their financial instruments to cash. Have you checked out the stock market for the past few days? If the big boys and girls are scared of falling off the fiscal cliff, what should our position be?

We have heard for the past three years or so that big companies have trillions in cash sitting on the sidelines waiting to see what will happen with

the economy. They want to be fairly certain of the long term strategies being put forth by the government. They are refusing to spend or invest or lend that money until they feel comfortable. We are complaining about it but that will not get them to release their money back into the marketplace. We complain; they retain.

Our position should mimic theirs. We should not plan to sleep out all night and get up at 3 a.m. to stand in line on the Friday after Thanksgiving (and this year starting at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day) to spend money we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have, to buy something we really donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need, to impress someone who really doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care. We should not use the upcoming â&#x20AC;&#x153;holidayâ&#x20AC;? season to be an excuse for frivolous purchases, and a way to satisfy our instant gratification mindset. We should put off buying all the stuff we usually buy during this time of the year, until we are in better position to do so.

Offers of credit cards, layaway plans, rent-a-couch or a Big Screen TV, and other schemes to

get money out of your pocket will intensify over the next few days. Watch out! You may get into that debt now and regret it later, especially if Congress and the president do not solve the fiscal cliff issue. On January 31, 2013, you will find yourself with more month than money if you are not careful.

While I sincerely do not believe the boys and girls in Washington will allow us to fall, jump, or be pushed off the fiscal cliff, I do believe that whatever they decide and agree upon will hurt those at the bottom tier of the economy. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a regressive gasoline tax, the elimination of tax deductions such as home mortgage, medical, and contributions, or whether they choose to put an end to cost of living increases for social security recipients, folks at the bottom will be negatively impacted the most.

No, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not fair. No, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the right thing to do. No, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not moral. But, after all, it is always about the money, and you See CLIFF, on page 7

The views expressed in the editiorial columns are not necessarily the veiws of The Weekly Press or its staff. Address all opinions and comments to: Letters to the Editior, P.O. Box 74485 Baton Rouge, La. 70874 or E-mail them to: theweeklypress@yahoo.com

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In its first year, the 256Good Shepherd Substance Abuse Center room Baton Rouge luxury hotel / Inpatient Therapy Intensive Outpatient has received numerous For Drugs,awards Alcohol, Anger Management and recognitions, including the coveted AAA Four-Diamond 2873 Mission Drive Rev. Donald Britton, MA, LAC Award and the recent Trip AdBaton Rouge, LA 70805 Clinical Director visorÂŽ Certificate of Excellence.

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Free Cancer Screenings No appointment required for most screenings.

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You are believed to be the grandfather of Zaviear Hollis, a deceased infant from Pontiac, Michigan. Zaviear Hollisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; date of birth was January 4, 2007, and his death was September 9, 2009. You are determined to be a Wrongful Death heir under Michigan law pursuant to MCL 600.2922. As a Wrongful Death heir of Zaviear Hollis, deceased, you may be entitled to make a claim for monies at a hearing set before Judge Phyllis McMillen in Oakland County Circuit Court, in Pontiac, Michigan, on Wednesday, October 24, 2012. If you do not appear at the hearing or otherwise contact Milton H. Greenman at The Thurswell Law Firm at (248) 351-4033, you will be forever barred from making such a claim for monies for Wrongful Death damages. At hearing, you will be required to present testimony establishing your relationship with Zaviear Hollis and establishing that, as a result of the death of Zaviear Hollis, you have suffered loss of love, companionship and services, any or all, as a result of the injuries or damages or death to Zaviear Hollis. If you fail to contact Milton H. Greenman of The Thurswell Law Firm or fail to appear for the scheduled hearing in Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac, Michigan, located at 1200 Telegraph Road, Pontiac, Michigan, on October 24, 2012, you will be forever barred from making a claim for monies for the Wrongful Death of Zaviear Hollis.

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Controller (Baton Rouge, LA), Duties incl. direct & oversee preparation of financial reports, manage inventory accounting in nail & saloon supplies, etc. Must have a Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in Accounting + 36 mnths of exp in Accounting. Send resume to Dat Ton, CEO, ALFALFA NAIL SUPPLY, INC., 11488 S. CHOCTAW DRIVE, BATON ROUGE, LA 70815. Please write â&#x20AC;&#x153;Controller-2012â&#x20AC;? on the bottom right corner of the envelope. No phone calls or emails accepted!

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The Weekly Press, Baton Rougesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; oldest muti-cultural community newspaper is building a diverse sales team. We are seeking sales personnel to service the Baton Rouge, Baker and surrounding areas who are looking to earn an above average income. The right person must be a team player, professional, aggressive, creative, earnest, able to think outside of the box, have reliable insured transportation, committed to working and great communication skills. Contact Mr. Ivory Payne at (225) 775-2002 for appointment and interviews.

The Weekly Press An Equal Opportunity Employer

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Kansas Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pride Chrystal Rucker Launches Third Annual â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sharing The Harvestâ&#x20AC;? Benefit Concert

RELIGION

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Married To Commitmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Is A Book Every Church Should Have For Marriage, Singles Ministries

BY DONALD LEE

Chrystal Rucker

GRANDVIEW, MO - Kansas Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pride and joy, Chrystal Rucker, has been giving back to the community for years with her annual â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sharing the Harvestâ&#x20AC;? benefit concert. This year will be no different as sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s giving Kansas City some great gospel music while raising funds for The Brookside Charter School, Ronald McDonald House and Sarita Lynne Ministries (which manages two homeless shelters).

Appearing on the program will be gospel megastar Vashawn Mitchell of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nobody Greaterâ&#x20AC;? fame, Top 20 newcomer Anita Wilson, Sheri Jones Moffett, smooth jazz bass player Julian Vaughn, sister act Tobbi & Tommi and Kansas City worship leader, Naâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ron Hamilton.

Although, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been singing professionally for two decades, Rucker just released her first CD this year. The new project, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You Deserveâ&#x20AC;? (EPM Music Group),

debuted at #10 on Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart this summer and the dynamic radio single, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You Deserveâ&#x20AC;? is a Top 30 smash. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To say that Chrystal Rucker is a power vocalist is an understatement,â&#x20AC;? a GospelFlava. com reviewer Gregory Gay writes in a recent commentary. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To her credit, she can preach in the middle of the song and close with a run that will leave the listener in awe, asking, `Now, how did she do that?â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

The event takes place Friday, November 23, 2012 @ 7 p.m. at Trinity Temple COGIC, 11922 Food Lane, Grandview, MO with host pastors Ben Stephens III and First Lady LaTanya Stephens. All tickets are $10 and available by calling (816) 6650506. For more information on Chrystal Rucker and other EPM Music Group artists, visit www. epmmusicgroup.com or www. chrystalrucker.net.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an awesome thing I can say about â&#x20AC;&#x153;Married to Commitment,â&#x20AC;? the bestseller in the making that I produced with my friend and prayer partner Brigitte â&#x20AC;&#x153;Breâ&#x20AC;? Eaton?

This book is so powerful that every pastor should have a copy of it in his study. Every church should be using this book to help with its marriage and singles ministries. Rooted in the Bible, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Married to Commitmentâ&#x20AC;? shares wisdom by the volumes on how to build and maintain healthy, godly relationships.

The book ministers to married couples, singles and divorcees alike. There are enough nuggets of wisdom in this dynamic book from which all who read it can glean. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Married to Commitmentâ&#x20AC;? also serves to help those caught up in abusive marriages or relationships discern whether the church they attend is equipped to minister to them or whether they should look elsewhere for help â&#x20AC;&#x201D; such as another, more grounded church headed by fearless, Christ-centered, leadership.

What I mean is there are countless numbers of people who are in marriages who turn to their pastors or church leadership for help when they have major marital problems. But those particular pastors are not filled with (or led by) the Holy Spirit, thus arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t equipped to help them deal with their problems.

At such churches, or under such leadership, a â&#x20AC;&#x153;leaderâ&#x20AC;? in the church is still allowed to minister to the congregation even though his (or her) spouse has gone to that (senior) pastor with a legitimate concern about that leaderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s character. Câ&#x20AC;&#x2122;mon, yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;all.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m talking about the married deacon who has a girlfriend on the side, yet he still holds a leadership position, when he should actually be sitting in the pews (and developing a repentant heart).

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m talking about the church songstress who never has time to

cater to her husband at home. I think yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;all get the point now.

In so many churches, people cry out to their pastors (or church leadership) for help, for guidance. And all they can get, at best, is: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just continue to pray. The Lord will work it out for youâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trust Godâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;God can change him (or her).â&#x20AC;? Let me make this clear: Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not saying this is the norm at every church.

There are some great churches out there, and some awesome pastors who operate in divine wisdom, understanding and discernment, and they bear the fruit of the Spirit. So, to those pastors, I offer up great applause.

But, again, to the pastors (or church leadership) who are quick to tell people who cry out to them for help to just pray (but then you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have in place a system of helping them beyond just prayer), youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re taking the weasel way out of dealing with what needs to be dealt with.

Sure, people should be prayerful. At the same time, there are many instances where prayer, alone, wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cut it. Some folk need to be dealt with. Some issues need to be met head on. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Married to Commitmentâ&#x20AC;? deals with this very real subject.

In the book, we share with our readers how to identify the right pastor, the right church, where they can get the help â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the ministry â&#x20AC;&#x201D; they need.

And if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re divorced or single and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to know how to avoid the mistakes of the past (as they relate to relationships), understand: Successful, new marriages or relationships are birthed from honest, self-evaluations concerning what went wrong in previous ones.

Donald Lee is founderpastor of nondenominational, multi-ethnic Kingdom Living Christian Center in Dallas. He co-authors â&#x20AC;&#x153;Married to Commitment,â&#x20AC;? (Xulon Press, $14.99) a book on relationships.

To obtain your copy of the

book, visit http://www.xulonpress.com or call toll-free (866) 909-2665. Lee can be contacted regarding prayer, counseling, this column, the book or for scheduling him for speaking engagements at pastordonjlee@yahoo. com or (225) 773-2248. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also available for free-lance reporting, copy editing and ghost writing for both aspiring and accomplished authors. Follow him on http://www.twitter.com at @donaldj_lee.

To hear his sermons â&#x20AC;&#x153;LIVE,â&#x20AC;? call (760) 466-8123 (conference code: 279498#) at 10 a.m. (Central Standard Time) on Sundays and 7 p.m. on Thursdays.

CHURCH DIRECTORY

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. - Hebrews 10:25

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FEDERAL

it jeopardizes motorist, cyclist, and pedestrian safety.â&#x20AC;?

Billerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s letter also highlighted a formula developed by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (and acknowledged on the FHWA website) as the recommended basis for a new federal requirement for yellowlight timing. This formula, he explained, factors in how fast vehicles travel as they approach the intersection. Faster travel speeds require longer yellow lights due to greater stopping distances. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Proper timing of yellow lights is one of the most critical factors in lowering intersection violation and accident rates,â&#x20AC;?

Biller noted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yet amazingly

CLIFF

there is no federal requirement for determining what minimum safe yellow times should be-just some optional guidance that many red-light camera operators use to justify dangerously short yellows in order to maximize the profits of their programs.â&#x20AC;?

He continued, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The FHWA has an obligation to establish clear safety requirements that eliminate such predatory practices. The National Motorists Association is calling upon the FHWA to do exactly that.â&#x20AC;?

Contact: John Bowman, Communications Director of the National Motorists Association at 608-849-6000 or by e-mail at nma@motorists.org for any additional information.

from page 4

know who wins that fight. So until Black people learn how to refrain from being the best consumers in the entire world, and produce goods and services to a much greater degree than we do now, we had better learn how to respond appropriately to national and international fiscal issues. Keep your money in your pocket, the same way big corps are keeping their cash on the sideline, and hold it until you see what direction this nation will be taken by those in charge of it.

You can get that big screen TV, that new car, and that enter-

AWARD

HEALTH

from page 4

tainment system later. Believe me, the manufacturers will be waiting for your dollars next year, and as Jay Leno used to say in his Doritos commercial, â&#x20AC;&#x153;[Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll] make more.â&#x20AC;?

Jim Clingman, founder of the Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce, is the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most prolific writer on economic empowerment for Black people.

He is an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati and can be reached through his Web site, blackonomics.com.

from page 5

The opening of the Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel, which just celebrated its one year anniversary in October, represented the completion of the first full service hotel in Baton Rouge in more than 40 years. The luxury hotel is also the first Renaissance-branded property to open in the greater Baton Rouge area.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are honored to be named â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Best New Productâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by Marriott International and look forward to sharing our commitment to hospitality excellence with the people of Baton Rouge and visitors near and far,â&#x20AC;? said Mike Wampold, owner and developer of the Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel.

LSU Mid City Clinic Dedicates Live Oak in Recognition of World AIDS Day BATON ROUGE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The LSU Mid City Clinic will dedicate a live oak in recognition of World AIDS Day, on the clinic campus, at 1401 N. Foster Drive, in Baton Rouge, La., on Friday, November 30, in a ceremony beginning at 10 a.m.

Large, sturdy and mature, the tree symbolizes the enduring dedication of LSU Health in the fight against AIDS. Its location, beside a bus stop and at the highly trafficked intersection of N. Foster Drive and Gus Young Avenue, will be a constant reminder of this fight and of the need for HIV testing as a critical part of the fight.

The ceremony will be part of the clinicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World AIDS Day Health Fair, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The fairâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theme, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Zero Takes a Community,â&#x20AC;? refers to zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination for those with HIV/AIDS and zero AIDS-related deaths. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the community to reach zero, people must know their HIV status,â&#x20AC;? said Dr. Tatiana Saavedra, with LSU Health. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If they have fallen out of HIV care, they can best meet their healthcare needs by returning to care and staying in care.â&#x20AC;?

More than 30 community and government agencies, healthcare providers and local businesses are participating in the event. Free testing for glucose level, blood pressure, cholesterol, syphilis and HIV will be available. Everyone who completes all parts of the free health testings

being offered at the fair will be eligible to enter a raffle for a 40 inch HD TV. Other raffles will be held throughout the event for gift cards and items donated from local businesses.

Metropolitan Baton Rouge ranked first in the nation for estimated AIDS case rates for the largest metropolitan areas in 2010, according to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Office of Public Health â&#x20AC;&#x153;STD/HIV Program â&#x20AC;&#x201C; HIV/ AIDS Surveillance Quarterly Reportâ&#x20AC;? of June 30, 2012.

LSU Health is the largest provider of HIV/AIDS healthcare in metro Baton Rouge,

known as the Baton Rouge Transitional Grant area. It includes the parishes of Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.

The LSU Health Baton Rouge HIV/AIDS active patient census is about 1,450 and growing and ranges from newborns to senior citizens. LSU is also pursuing several hundred patients in metro Baton Rouge who should resume their healthcare.

The Health Care Services Division of LSU Health is one of the largest public healthcare

delivery systems in the country.

It has over 33,000 inpatient admissions, 172,000 inpatient days, 583,000 outpatient clinic visits, 1,118,000 outpatient encounters, and 269,000 emergency department encounters. Each year more than 1,200 residents and fellows from the LSU and Tulane Schools of Medicine and Ochsner Health System and 2,900 nursing and allied health students from many colleges and universities are trained in LSU HCSD facilities.

Please contact Marvin McGraw at 225.354.7039 or by e-mail at mmcgra@lsuhsc.edu for more information.

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RELIGION

A Statistical Look at New Orleans Saints Through Week 11

New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (28) gets by Oakland Raiders cornerback Mike Mitchell (34) at the O.co Coliseum in Oakland, Ca., Sunday November 18, 2012. (Photo by David Grunfeld, Nola.com |The Times-Picayune)

The New Orleans Saintsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; easy 38-17 win over the Oakland Raiders kept the team on an upswing on the NFL statistical front. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a look at some team and individual stats I found interesting:

worst 47 trips allowed to the red zone. The Saints remain No. 1 in red zone offense (71.0).

The Saints passer improved his quarterback rating to 99.8, placing him seventh in the NFL.

Â&#x2021; 7KDQNV WR LQWHUFHSWLRQV

by Malcolm Jenkins and Roman Harper and no turnovers by the offense in Oakland, the Saints Â&#x2021; 6DLQWV RIIHQVLYH UDQNV are on the good side of the turn-- fifth overall (391.3), 26th over ratio as they sit at plus-2 rushing (94.9), second pass- (No. 12 league-wide) with 14 ing (296.4). The Saints do lead takeaways and 12 giveaways. the league in yards per play The Saints only need three take(6.1). aways this season to surpass their total from last season. Â&#x2021; 6DLQWV GHIHQVLYH UDQNV 32nd overall (462.8), 32nd rushÂ&#x2021; 7KRPDV 0RUVWHDG DQG ing 157.8), 31st passing (305.0). the Saints kick coverage unit The Saints are also 27th in the have been better than solid all league in points per game al- season. The Saints are No. 3 in lowed (27.3). the league in average starting position (20.0). Â&#x2021; 7KH 6DLQWV DUH 1R LQ red zone defense (53.2 percent Â&#x2021; 'UHZ %UHHV MXPSHG TD rate), which is slightly worse Aaron Rodgers to take the NFL than last week after the Raidersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lead in passing TDs (28). Brees two TDs occurred in the red did drop to No. 2 in passing zone. The Saints are also tied yards (3,066) with Matt Ryan with Jacksonville for a league- sitting six yards ahead of Brees.

Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s struggling on third down, though, with a 52.3 completion percentage ranking him 29th in the NFL. Brees does have an 86.0 QB rating on third down, which ranks him 18th.

Brees didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have too many opportunities too improve his sluggish fourth-quarter stats with the Saints blowing out the Raiders by that point. has also struggled mightily in the fourth quarter ranking 31st out of 36 passers with a 53.3 completion percentage. Ryan Tannehill, Chad Henne, Mark Sanchez, Byron Leftwich and Nick Foles are the only quarterbacks below Brees.

Rob Gronkowski and A.J. Green leads with 10 TDs. Marques Colston is tied for seventh with seven TDs receptions with Vincent Jackson, Victor Cruz, Torrey Smith and Randall Cobb.

Graham is also tied for fourth in the NFL for points scored by non-kickers (48) with Cobb, Decker, Jones, Marshall and Doug Martin. Arian Foster leads the leagueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s non-kickers with 72 points.

Colston and Graham are tied for 18th with 51 receptions. Colston and Lance Moore are tied for 11th with 16 third-down receptions. Â&#x2021; 7KRPDV 0RUVWHDG OHDGV the NFL in net punt yardage averaging 45.2 yards per punt.

Â&#x2021; -LPP\ *UDKDP LV WLHG Â&#x2021; &DP -RUGDQ UDQNV QG for third in NFL with eight TD in the NFL with six sacks, catches with Brandon Marshall, while Will Smith sits 33rd Eric Decker and James Jones. with five sacks.

Steelers Bring Plaxico Burress Back Home, Sign Brian Hoyer as QB Insurance Apparently, you can go home again. Receiver Plaxico Burress, the Pittsburgh Steelersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; first-round draft pick in 2000, has re-signed with the team he hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t suited up for since the end of the 2004 season. Burress, who caught 261 passes for 4,164 yards and 22 touchdowns for the Steelers, was brought in for a workout on Monday after injuries to Jerricho Cotchery and Antonio Brown left the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s receiver corps very thin. Per the Pittsburgh PostGazette, Burress was signed after a Tuesday morning workout at the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s facility.

The Steelers also worked out former Penn State receiver Derrick Williams, but the threeman team of head coach Mike Tomlin, offensive coordinator Todd Haley and general manager Kevin Colbert decided that Plax should come back. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking at these guys with the potential to sign at least one at each position,â&#x20AC;? Tomlin said during his most recent news conference. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The men we will acquire will fortify our depth to win this football game.â&#x20AC;?

Burress signed with the New York Giants before the 2005 season, missing out on two Steelers Super Bowl championships in the process. However, he caught the game-winning touchdown from Eli Manning in the Giantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

upset win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. [Fantasy: Pickups of the Week] Soon after that, things started to unravel for Burress. In November of 2008, he accidentally shot

himself in the leg with a gun he was illegally carrying in a New York City nightclub. In August of 2009, he agreed to a plea deal that would put him behind bars for almost two years. Released in June of 2011, Burress signed a contract with the New York Jets

after turning down a two-year offer from the Steelers that would have given him less guaranteed money. He caught 45 passes for 612 yards and eight touchdowns for the Jets in 2011, but he did not return to the team and has not played anywhere through the 2012 season.

To bolster their equally thin quarterback rotation, the Steelers also signed former New England Patriots undrafted free-agent quarterback Brian Hoyer, who threw 27 completions in 43 attempts for 286 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in three seasons for Bill Belichickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team. He lost a training camp battle to Ryan Mallett in the 2012 preseason. The Steelers also gave former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Mike Kafka a tryout.

Depth is needed more at that position than any other in Pittsburgh, because the Steelers are two men down at this point.

Ben Roethlisberger is dealing with a shoulder injury and rib issues that could actually affect his heart and threaten his life if he comes back too soon. Backup Byron Leftwich sustained two cracked ribs in Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Charlie Batch is expected to start when the Steelers face off against the Cleveland Browns this Sunday.

Rickey Smiley Lands at Bayou Classic Pre-Game Rickey Smiley to appear as part of Bayou Classic Fan Fest

NEW ORLEANSâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; For the first time the 2012 Rickey Smiley HBCU Tailgate Tour will be landing in at the Bayou Classic in New Orleans. Rickey Smiley is set to be a part of the Bayou Classic Fan Fest being held pregame on Saturday, November 24, 10 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1:30 pm.

Smiley, who is best known for his comedic work as host of BETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ComicView, as well as appearances on HBOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Comedy Jam and Snaps, will be a new addition to the 39th Annual Bayou Classic in an effort to make the game and events more fan and family friendly. Smiley will be signing autographs and addressing the crowd at Fan Fest all in anticipation of his new radio show coming to New Orleans in January. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are excited to have Rickey Smiley join The Bayou Classic this year and we look forward to his appearance at Fan Fest,â&#x20AC;? said Dottie Belletto, President of New Orleans Convention Company, Inc., the management firm of The 39th Annual Bayou Classic. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In addition to the numerous other adjustments weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve made this year, such as reduced ticket prices and our newlyreleased website, Rickey Smiley will be a tremendous addition to our weeklong series of events.â&#x20AC;?

The Bayou Classic features one of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest college sports rivalries, bringing the fans and alumni of Southern University and Grambling State University to New Orleans for a celebration of football, family and the traditions and pageantry surrounding Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Last year, the two schools split $1.32 million in proceeds from the series of Bayou Classic events. These proceeds provide support to the

Rickey Smiley

campusesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; athletic programs and fund scholarships through the SU System Foundation and the GSU Foundation.

The Bayou Classic is supported by the following organizations for the 39th annual series of events â&#x20AC;&#x201C; State FarmÂŽ, MillerCoorsÂŽ, US Marine Corps, Toyota, The Home DepotÂŽ, The Coca-Cola Company, Cox Louisiana, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC), Perkins Management Group, Louisiana>AIDS (Louisiana Greater Than AIDS), the French Market Corporation, Entergy Louisiana, Visit Baton Rouge, the Downtown Development District, and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

Tickets for the 39th Annual Bayou Classic and the Battle of the Bands & Greek Show are on sale now, Tickets for both events can be purchased at the following locations: the Bayou Classic website (www.mybayouclassic.com), Ticketmaster, the New Orleans Arena Box Office, the Grambling State University Ticket Office or the Southern University Ticket Office.

The Bayou Classic Announces 2012 Schedule of Events NEW ORLEANS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Bayou Classic announced their official schedule of events today for the upcoming series of events beginning November 22. Each year, this weekend of events brings together family, friends and alumni of Grambling State University and Southern University to see one of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest college sports rivalries and celebrate football, family and the traditions surrounding Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The proceeds from the weeklong series of events are provided to both schools for student scholarships; the two schools split $1.32 million for scholarships last year.

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s schedule includes the fan favorite Battle of the Bands and Greek Show, occurring November 23, as well as several other events. Fans can look forward to starting off their weekend with the Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade and concluding with the Bayou Classic House of Blues Gospel Brunch. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve put together our schedule of events focused on our goal of making this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bayou Classic fan and family friendly,â&#x20AC;? said Dottie Belletto, President of New Orleans Convention Company, Inc., the management firm of The 39th Annual Bayou Classic. â&#x20AC;&#x153;From the Battle of the Bands and Greek Show to the House of Blues Gospel Brunch to the HBCU Institute: Empowerment Exchange, there is truly an event for every member of the family to partake in at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bayou Classic.â&#x20AC;?

The schedule for The 39th Annual Bayou Classic includes (all events are open to the public unless noted below): Tuesday, November 20 10 am Kickoff Press Conference (open to all media and others by invitation only) Mercedes-Benz Superdome Thursday November 22 (Thanksgiving Day) 3:30-6 pm Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade presented by State FarmÂŽ Parade route from Mercedes-Benz Superdome to the French Market Friday, November 23 9 am Bayou Classic Golf Tournament presented by Cox Louisiana Joe Bartholomew Golf Course 10 am-4 pm HBCU Institute: Empowerment Exchange Career & College Fair Hyatt Regency Hotel 12 pm Coaches Luncheon (by invitation only) Hyatt Regency Hotel 2 pm HBCU Institute Hyatt Regency Hotel 6 pm Welcome Reception (by invitation only) Mercedes-Benz Superdome 7 pm Battle of the Bands and Greek Show Mercedes-Benz Superdome Saturday, November 24 10 am-1:30 pm Fan Fest Champions Square 1:30 pm The Bayou Classic Mercedes-Benz Superdome (Doors open at 12:30 pm; kickoff at 1:30 pm) Sunday, November 25 10 am Bayou Classic Gospel Brunch House of Blues