The Weekly Press Week of April 8, 2010

baton

THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2010

The

Press BOX

rouge,

louisiana

Vol. 34 • No. 50

a people’s publication

Black Religious Leaders Offer President Encouragement

Brian A. Jackson

Andy Blouin

Hillar Moore

Judge Guidry

M. Maley

Six to be Inducted into 2010 SU Law Center Hall of Fame

Holden works to Bring Big Business to Baton Rouge

Mayor Kip Holden

B AT O N R O U G E —Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden said he is hustling to bring big business to Baton Rouge. The mayor hopes to put Baton Rouge on the map internationally.

Five days in, with just four days left to his second big trip to China, Holden said he is covering as much ground as possible. His mission is to bring international business to Baton Rouge and to set up relationships between schools there and in the Capital City.

“As Mayor you need to always think about not just the moment you’re in, but See holden, on page 5

US President Barack Obama arrives to host an Easter Prayer Breakfast in the East Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 6, 2010.

President Obama briefly met Tuesday with about 20 black religious leaders, including representatives of the major African American denominations, in the second White House gathering in three months to discuss the needs of the black community.

While the president has faced growing questions about

whether he has done enough to help African Americans deal with the nation’s economic downturn, the ministers spent most of the 15 minutes they had with the president in the White House Blue Room offering words of encouragement and urging Obama to offer more summer jobs to young people and select

an African American to fill the next Supreme Court vacancy.

When the meeting broke up, the ministers surrounded Obama, placed their hands on his shoulders and prayed.

“We need to pray for the president, pray for his wisdom, See leaders, on page 3

Capital Area Girl Scouts Active in Community

Business in Denham Springs is Growing DENHAM SPRINGS,— Denham Springs is a living example of the phrase “If you build it, they will come.”

Two years ago, Bass Pro Shops opened there. Now, several smaller shops are setting up in the area and Sam’s Club is on its way.

Right off the Denham Springs exit is what is now known as the economic district, but that area used to be a forest. There are now retail shops, restaurants, and soon Denham will see its 8th hotel.

Denham Mayor, Jimmy Durbin, said having one major retailer in the district is already a boost to the budget. Long term he said that Bass Pro will generate See business, on page 2

Block Kids Contest Group: Girl Scout participants in this year’s Block Kids Contest in front row from left are Andrea Loyd, Rachael Ballou, Zakeyera Golden, Carrigan Lewis, Ja’Nez Thomas, and Essence Chattmon. Second row from left are Stephani George, Destiny Spears, Lanaria Bibbins, Kaelyn Lipscomb, Charlacia Dalton, Latoya Decuir, and Kaitlyn Ballou. Back row from left are Jamie Johnson, Micah Fontenot, Tangela Moore, Ingrid Crittenden, and Jasmin Lacour.

B AT O N R O U G E Girl Scouts from service unit 119 in the Capital area learned to build more than leadership skills recently when they worked one on one with members of the Baton Rouge chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) during the Block Kids Contest hosted by the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church of Baton Rouge Girl Scout program. The February 19 event was an opportunity for Girl See girl scouts, on page 2

NATIONAL/state & Community watch

The winners of the Block Kids Contest in front row from left were Girl Scout Junior Andrea Loyd, second place; Girl Scout Brownie Tangela Moore, first place and will go on to participate in NAWIC’s regional competition; and Kaelyn Lipscomb, third place. Back from left are contest judges Rudy Comeaux and Ryan Maranto, NAWIC member Monique Johnson, and contest judge Matt Jones.

Local & State News

Piano Students Score High Now that the iPad is in the hands of early adopters, the hard work for Apple Inc. begins.....Page 8

Ten students of Bogalusa piano teacher Juanita Magee recently participated in a Keyboard Musicians’ Festival at Southern University in Baton Rouge. Nine received Superior ratings and one received an Excellent Plus rating.....See Page 3

Business NEWS

Toyota Continue Sales Incentives

Toyota will continue to offer most of its heavy incentives throughout April after the deals helped lift its sales more than 40 percent last month, the automaker said Tuesday. ...See Page 5

Judge John Michael Guidry of the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal, Brian A. Jackson of Liskow and Lewis, and District Attorney Hillar Moore will be among six Southern University Law Center (SULC) alumni to be inducted into its 2010 Hall of Fame at a 7 p.m. banquet, Friday, April 9, in the Crowne Plaza Executive Center.

Judge Guidry, a 1987 SULC graduate; Jackson, a 1985 SULC graduate; and DA Moore, who earned his J.D. from SULC in 1989, join other inductees Robert Becnel of LaPlace, Louisiana, a 1984 graduate; Wanda Henton Brown of Bermuda, a 1977 graduate; and Benjamin Cannon of Houston, Texas, a 1982 graduate, who will receive this honor as part of the two-day annual SULC Alumni Round-Up, April 8 and 9.

Judge Guidry was elected to the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal in October 1997. In 1991, he was elected

to the Louisiana House of Representatives and to the State Senate in 1993. Guidry formerly served as a legislative assistant to the Honorable Joseph A. Delpit. He also served as the assistant clerk of the Louisiana House of Representatives and an assistant parish attorney.

Judge Guidry is a former commissioner of the Greater Baton Rouge Port Commission and the Greater Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport Commission.

Since 1988, Judge Guidry has served as an adjunct professor at the Southern University Law Center and since 1993 has served as an adjunct professor in the Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy at Southern University.

In 2009 Judge Guidry was elected as the Louisiana Conference of Court of Appeal Judges representative to the Louisiana Judicial Council See Hall of Fame, on page 3

Showdown with Lafayette Looms in State Competition Baton Rouge has won the Cleanest City Award for the Louisiana Garden Club Federation’s District VI that stretches from Slidell to Port Allen.

Mayor-President Melvin “Kip” Holden accepted the award Thursday for top honors in the district’s largest population category during a reception at the Baton Rouge Gallery.

Baton Rouge’s district win sets up a showdown with Lafayette in the state competition later this spring. Baton Rouge claimed top state honors in the population category in the contest in 2009 and 2007, while Lafayette won in 2008 and 2006.

This is the 52nd year that the Louisiana Garden Club Federation has held the Cleanest City Awards, which encourage communities to become more proactive in the war against litter.

During the district competition, judges toured parts of Baton Rouge to assess the cleanliness of residential yards, businesses, streets and sidewalks, parks, schools, cemeteries, municipal and other buildings.

The judges were entertained at the Baton Rouge Gallery by members of the Baton Rouge

Garden Club, sponsors of the city’s participation.

Baton Rouge Garden Club officials credited the Mayor’s office, the Department of Public Works, BREC and LSU for their work in the district competition.

Also contributing to the win were hundreds of Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, school children and adult volunteers who participated in Keep Baton Rouge Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup last weekend. The volunteers picked up litter downtown and in Spanish Town , Beauregard Town , Scotlandville and the LSU Lakes area.

Local Garden Club officials said another factor in the district win was Mayor Holden’s successful Litter Court program that targets litter and blight in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Other aspects of the Mayor’s anti-litter campaign launched last summer include the purchase of two new street sweepers, and the assignment of DPW crews for litter abatement efforts around the parish.

DPW crews are also in the process of distributing 75

other News

Health news

Farrakhan: Wrong People

Speaking candidly at the “We Count!

The Black Agenda is the American Agenda” Minister Louis Farrakhan warned against appealing to and expecting the American government...

See Page 8

See showdown, on page 2

The Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum , the Louisiana Public Health Institute , and a coalition of Greater New Orleans community health organizations are being honored with a 2010 Health Quality Award..See Page 7

INDEX Local & State............................2 Commentay..............................4 Business....................................5 Religion....................................6 Health.......................................7 Other News..............................8

Classified Buying or selling a service, looking for for a good job or a good used car? Check out the classifeds .

THEWEEKLYPRESS.COM Celebrating 34 Years Of Service To The Baton Rouge Community 225.775.2002

Page 2 • The

Weekly Press • Thursday, April 1, 2010

Local&State

The St. Jude New Members of Xi Nu Lamba Chapter Fundraiser in of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Plaquemine PLAQUEMINE, LA - The 12th Annual St. Jude Open Car, Truck and Motorcycle show will be held on April 17, 2010 a Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

This year’s theme is “A Labor of Love’ and it will be at the Bayou Plaquemine Waterfront Park in Plaquemine, Louisiana. The sponsors for this year event are the Baton Rouge Corvette Club and The Plaquemine Main Street Program.

Come out and enjoy the fun there will be BBQ, sweet shop, food and drinks. Also, there will be a raffle and a live auction. They will be raffling off $1000.00, a Netbook computer and a framed LSU print.

All proceeds go to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

For entry forms and more information, please contact Jeff Travasos at (225) 749-3372, Frank Wharton at (225) 769-3538 or Ray Loiter at (225) 647-5492.

CACRC Offers Businesses a Green Way to Recycle and Help Those in Need BATON ROUGE - Wondering what to do with that old computer equipment? The CACRC, a top recycler in the country, has tailored made solutions for businesses. Refurbished equipment goes to help schools, low income families.

For more information, call 225379-3577, email cforbes@cacrc. com or visit www.cacrc.com.

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The office is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday and located at 1283 Rosenwald Road, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Correction Policy

The Baton Rouge Weekly Press strives to be fair and accurate. The newspaper corrects any significant errors of fact brought to the attention of the editor.

If you think an error has been made, call 225-775-2002

Left to right: McArthur Whitmore, Christopher Metz, Jamar Hebert and Brandon Dumas

BATON ROUGE - The Xi Nu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., located in Baton Rouge, recently inducted new members into the organization: McArthur Whitmore, Christopher Metz, Jamar Hebert and Brandon Dumas.

These new members are all college graduates having earned their degrees from Louisiana State University, Southern University and the

University of Phoenix with bachelors in Business Administration, Communications, Engineering and Political Science.

“We are pleased to welcome these men into our brotherhood and we expect them to help us continue providing service to our communities,” Jermaine Watson, President of the Xi Nu Lambda Chapter proclaimed.

The new members were

Jindal Proposes $65 Million in Construction Budget for Nucor Project BATON ROUGE, La. — Gov. Bobby Jindal said he’s proposing the state set aside $65 million in its annual construction budget for a possible $2 billion pig iron plant in southeast Louisiana by steelmaker Nucor Corp.

Nucor has yet to make a decision on where it will build the plant, amid concerns about the economy and the cost of any carbon legislation that may emerge from Congress. Nucor is choosing between sites in St. James Parish and Brazil. No timeline has been announced

for a selection.

Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret said Tuesday that the company has said it will make a final site selection decision this year.

Jindal’s office said the governor has included the money for infrastructure and facility development in St. James Parish in his proposed state construction budget for the upcoming fiscal year that starts July 1. A spokesman for the governor’s Division of Administration said the money is for site preparation work that would be needed to

help win the project.

The construction budget bill is expected to be filed in the House this week.

Moret refused to say what else the state will be offering to attract the facility, though he did say the money in the construction budget bill would only cover a portion of the state incentives.

“We will release details about the proposed incentive package for the project as soon as Nucor has made a

most of the businesses. He said things could be a little busier.

When he heard about Sam’s buying the big lot behind Bass Pro he saw dollar signs.

“Sam’s coming in is going to be huge for us,” said Pecue.

“Just traffic flow alone, people going to the store. Employees taking breaks coming over here, it’ll be good.”

Sam’s will sit on seventeen acres. Mayor Durbin said the store is expected to open in 2012.

“They were very im-

pressed with what they found here in Denham Springs,” said Durbin.

Durbin said that told him, Denham is doing all the right things.

“If it wasn’t for all this business growth, we’d be suffering a larger loss than we have over this last year,” Durbin added.

Mayor Durbin said Livingston is transforming from a rural parish to a suburban one.

He said the only thing Denham is missing now, is decent menswear shops.

See Project, on page 3

Business from page 1 $2 million in sales tax for the city, but right now what Bass Pro is bringing in is more business.

A Yogun Fruz will be coming in about eight weeks, and it will offer frozen yogurt. The contractor said it will be one of 30 stores based in the south for a Canadian company.

The Jambalaya Shoppe has been open since July. Matthew Pecue from The Jambalaya Shoppe said some days the parking lots are empty, but weekends are pretty big for

If this happens to you call Attorney McManus

Newspaper is a published weekly in Baton Rouge and distributed every Thursday with a circulation of 7,500. Subscription rates are $38.00 per year for Louisiana residents; $42.00 for one year for out-of-state residents; half price for six months subscription: and $1.00 per single copy.

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Call the McManus law office and get all you deserve

1283 Rosenwald Road Baton Rouge, La. 70807-41 Phone: (225) 775-2002

Charles C. McManus

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Chit Chat

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: It is a time for all things under the sun. Solomon TESTING IN THE SCHOOLS FOR STUDENTS is coming up on Monday. It is commonly called LEAP, Louisiana Education Assessment Program. Parents, do not forget to help your child prepare for the tests. If your child is in fourth, Marge eighth, or tenth, the testing is relevant for passage Lawrence to the next grade. So, no one should take them lightly and go in and mark any answer, fall asleep and enjoy free time. See to it that your child gets enough sleep, eat a good breakfast, and is at school on time. The testing will go on without your child, but you would want your child to be tested.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TEACHERS OF THE YEAR! We know of Mrs. Shanklin at the new MayFair Middle School and Mrs. J.Collins at Capitol Middle. Now, if only they can get a big bonus and a signature ring! Best wishes to the teachers!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE COACHES OF THE YEAR in the area. Coach Carlos Sample, who is in his third season at Scotlandville High, led the Hornets to their first district title since the 1970s. This team also has a commendable record of 33-6 and was the runner-ups for the state title. Additionally, Coach Mike Stephens led the Baker Buffaloes to a record of 28-4 and a runner up title.

CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS LAURA LEE HARRIS will be honored with a humanitarian award for her exploits in 1962. Would you believe this woman refuse to sit on the side in the courtroom that was reserved for blacks. She sat where she wanted, and now years later, she is honored for this. Right on, Miss Laura!

THANKS TO THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL and the many volunteers. They gave up some of their time on Easter to serve the Easter meal to those who are in need at the dining room.

This time of eating also included giving out Easter baskets to the needy for children up to 12 years old. Sounds like a winner!

ALPHA PHI ALPHA’S BEAUTILION is the talk of the town!

These brothers presented to society some fine young men who were mentored during the past few months. Xi Nu Lambda Chapter President Jermaine Watson and Chairman Chad Metz announced the following young men who were mentored: Gary Stack, Dennis Franklin, Ervin LeBostrie, Kyle Burleigh, Bryant Albert, and DeJohn Richardson. Congrats and many best wishes to these young men.

“SILHOUETTES OF PEARLS” of ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA debutante 2010 cotillion was held recently at a local hotel. Beautiful young women made their bow into society, according to President Eileen Kennedy. These young women included Breanna McQuarter, Raven Conner, KaRhonda Davis, Tacara Veal, Jasmine Jones, Raven Atkins, Ardean Leonard, Malia Dartez, Ashley Castile, Sonitra Grayer, Armandi Smith, Logan Borskey-Slaughter, Lauren Hurst, Whitney Prater, Charcie Robins, Queen Kearia McCants, Hayley Neldarre, Ashley Harris, Ashley Hurst, Jazmin Pierce, Taylor James, Ashton Johnson, Amber Sherrard, Leah Collins, Delissia Clark, Brehana Hawkins, and Chirelle Starwood. Thanks to parents, friends and community supporters of AKA. THANKS TO THE FAITH BASED GROUPS much of the work of restoring New Orleans Hurricane Katrina is ending. The Salvation Army and the United Methodists have been in the city since the duration and are now culminating their work and we extend thanks to their faith based organizations. It is indeed gratifying to see religion in action Happy Birthday to Mrs. Virgie Brown Ricardo of Houston, Texas, Ms. Marilyn Hamilton, and James Lawrence of Lafayette.

Get Well Wishes to Ms. Bebeonna Carter who was injured in a car accident on last week and to Churchill Paul who was recently released from the hospital. The Capitville Family of Baton Rouge may God comfort you in your hour of sorrow.

With Love and Sympathy to the family of the late Althea Henderson Lawson of Gonzales. She was laid to rest in St. Joseph on last week.

Have a very blessed weekend. Enjoy the spring-like weather.

Marge

Love,

Showdown from page 1 new Lincoln-green trash cans around the parish as part of the anti-litter campaign, and have already ordered another 75. The

new trash cans replace receptacles that date back to the 1980s, and were beginning to become eyesores themselves.

Girl Scout from page 1 Scouts in Brownie Troop 10317 and Junior Troop 10318 to use their creativity in constructing different models of community buildings with LEGOS. All par-

ticipants received recognition awards for their projects, with the first, second, and third place winners additionally receiving cash awards.

INJURED IN A CAR WRECK?

The Weekly Press

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received on Sunday, March 21, 2010. They each bring attributes and qualities deserving of membership and are needed to help propel our mission of “developing leaders, promoting brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy to our communities”.

Please contact Lemoine Howard at 225.301.3875, or by e-mailing to lemoineh@ yahoo.com.

marge's

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For Application And More Information Call: 225-774-8125 Hurry Space is Limited!!!

Thursday, April 1, 2010 • The Weekly Press • Page 3

Local Piano AKAs Celebrate 30th Year Anniversary Students Score High at Festival Ten students of Bogalusa piano teacher Juanita Magee recently participated in a Keyboard Musicians’ Festival at Southern University in Baton Rouge. Nine received Superior ratings and one received an Excellent Plus rating.

The festival, sponsored by members of the Keyboard Musicians Association, provided an opportunity for students to perform and to be evaluated by adjudicators in a non-competitive setting, said Magee. Each student performed two selections, one from a designated list and one of his or her choosing.

Magee’s students who rated Superior were Calia Chavis, Rikki Guillory, T’Asia Ladner, J’La Moses, K’Lyn Moses, Jeneshia Patterson, Eric Russ, La Darricka Smith and Stephanie Stevens. They will perform at the Fine Arts Center at Southern University on April 17.

La Deja Graves was rated Excellent Plus.

Those who were rated Superior received a medal, and all of the students got a certificate.

Russ, who earned a Superior rating for the second consecutive year, also received a trophy.

Students Derica Sanders and JaMya Young were unable to attend the festival.

Magee thanks the parents who helped ensure success with their own attendance.

The long-time piano teacher is an icon in the community who has helped bring music into the homes of generations of students

Britonya J. Jewelry Workshop at the Jones’ Creek Regional Library Learn how to make beautiful, unique jewelry for yourself or as gifts for others. Jewelry designer, Britonya Weams, will guide participants through the jewelry-making process, and all materials will be furnished for this workshop.

Come and explore your creative side in jewelry making at the Jones Creek Regional Branch Library, 6222 Jones Creek Road, on Wednesday, April 14, at 7:00 p.m.

Weams has owned her own jewelry-making business, Britonya J Designs, for five years.

Registration to attend and participate is required. For more information or to register, call (225) 756-1150.

Please contact Sarah Crawford at (225) 231-3712, for more information.

Project from page 2 site-selection decision. To do so before then would compromise our competitive position,” he said in an e-mail.

Nucor has paid $50 million for land in St. James Parish for the possible plant, which would produce a raw ingredient in steel making. Moret said Nucor owns more than 90 percent of the land that would be needed to construct the plant in the parish.

According to the North Carolina-based company, the initial phase of the plant would employ 500 people with an average salary of $75,000. Nucor has said it prefers the Louisiana site.

Pictured from left to right on the front row are: Mary Toaston, Eileen Kennedy, Roena Wilford, and Joycelyn Green Pictured on the second from left to right are Pamela Ginn, Gloria London, and Linda E. Brown. Pictured on the back row are: Jewel Payne, Cleo Joffrion, Kathy Matthews, and Stella Jackson.

Hall of Fame from page 1 for a three-year term and appointed by the Louisiana Supreme Court on the recommendation of its Chief Justice to serve on the governing body of the Louisiana Judicial College.

Jackson, now a shareholder, joined Liskow & Lewis following a 16-year career in the U.S. Department of Justice. He has served as United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, First Assistant United States Attorney for that district, and Associate Deputy Attorney General in Washington, D.C. On the recommendation of U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, Jackson was recently nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as a judge on the

federal court for the Middle District in Louisiana.

Hillar C. Moore, III, was sworn in as district attorney of East Baton Rouge Parish in January 2009.

After earning an undergraduate degree in criminal justice from LSU, Moore began working as an investigator for the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office.

While working as an investigator, Moore attended the Southern University Law Center, graduating among the top in his class.

Following graduation, he began work in private practice in Baton Rouge and has done for 15 years prior to being elected DA. He maintained the highest Martindale-Hubbell rating of AV for an attorney.

Lawmakers Select New Auditor

BATON ROUGE, LA (AP) - The House and Senate have selected Daryl Purpera as the state’s new legislative auditor.

The auditor leads the office that reviews the financial books of state and local government agencies.

Purpera has been working as the interim auditor since Steve Theriot retired in November. He has worked in the auditor’s office for 26 years.

A panel of lawmakers recommended Purpera for the job permanently after interviewing five applicants.

The House and Senate voted unanimously Tuesday for Purpera.

12th Annual Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Conference: Promoting Healthy Family Relationships BATON ROUGE - The 12th Annual Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Conference will be held on Friday, April 23, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn South (Airline at I-12). Grandparents and Louisiana Relatives as Parents (LaRAPP) from across the state are invited to attend.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.

The conference is free for grandparents and others raising relatives’ children. Providers of services to these grandparents are encouraged to attend. To register, please call 225-346-8712 or e-mail lagrginfo@yahoo.com or register on the website at www. lagrg.org. Participants who register by April 12 will receive a t-shirt and lunch.

This year’s theme is “Promoting Healthy Family Relationships.” WAFB-TV Channel 9 Anchorwoman Donna Britt is the Mistress of Ceremony. The Keynote speaker is Barbara W. Green, M.Ed.; LPC; LMFT. Green is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, Ordained Minister, motivational speaker and author of “The Parent Anointing.” She is the President and CEO of an international business, Inner Reflections Counseling and Training Agency.

This year’s conference will focus on tips for healthy family relationships. We are concerned about grandparents’ physical and mental health, and the safety of their families. With increased use of cell phones and computers, we want to make sure the grandparents are up-to-date on the benefits and pitfalls of both, for adults and children. We will also share resources that are avail-

able to them, so they know where to seek assistance. Other workshops include sessions on: partnerships with schools, dealing with grief, maximizing kinship & health care resources, halting domestic violence, importance of the last will & testament, and internet safety for youth and families. The combined expertise of the speakers will lead to information packed sessions for grandparents and other Louisiana Relatives as Parents (LaRAPP).

Senator Sharon Weston Broome will lead a Public Policy Session with government officials and grandparents raising grandchildren representatives to discuss legal challenges the grandparents face and how improvements can be made.

Grandparents and others raising relatives children will also have an opportunity to pose questions about the legal process with a team of lawyers during a panel discussion led by Ms. Jane Thomas, Attorney, Legal Services Developer, Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs.

The Premier sponsor for the conference is the Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund. Other sponsors include: The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Information Center of Louisiana, Senator Sharon Weston Broome, Councilwoman Ronnie Edwards, Entergy Corporation, Urban Restoration, the Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs, Catholic Charities Diocese of Baton Rouge, LSU AgCenter, and the Junior League of Baton Rouge.

Please contact Pat Robinson at 335-0322 (cell), or Dot Thibodeaux at 355-5442

called the Tuesday gathering “a good meeting.”

The meeting was the second at the White House this year to discuss the needs of the black community. Two months ago, Obama sat down with NAACP President Benjamin Jealous, National Urban League President Marc Morial and the Rev. Al Sharpton, who had requested the visit.

Afterward, the civil rights leaders said Obama had been willing to hear their ideas, and they restated their support for the administration. But in the days after, Smiley criticized the men for not putting more pressure on Obama to carve out a specific black agenda. And last month he hosted a forum in Chi-

cago -- attended by the Rev. Jesse Jackson and academics Cornel West and Michael Eric Dyson, among others -- where a number of African American speakers said that Obama needs to do more for blacks.

But the only drama at the White House Tuesday came in the form of the gospel recounted by the president. “Of all the stories passed down through the gospels, this one in particular speaks to me during this season. And I think of hanging -- watching Christ hang from the cross, enduring the final seconds of His passion.

He summoned what remained of His strength to utter a few last words before He breathed His last breath,” the president said.

Leaders from page 1 pray for his courage and pray for his strength because these are rough times,” said John R. Bryant, senior bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. “I am always open and standing in the need for prayer,” Bryant recalled Obama replying to a question from another minister about whether prayer was acceptable.

The president met with the African American pastors just before he went into the East Room for the Easter breakfast that brought together a diverse group of Christian leaders ranging from Bill Hybels, senior pastor of the Willow Creek Church in Illinois, to televangelist Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston.

The African American leaders who met with the president included George C. Walker, senior bishop of the AME Zion Church, and William Graves, senior bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

Also present were the presidents are the three largest Baptist denominations: the Rev. T. DeWitt Smith, president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention; the Rev. Stephen John Thurston, president of the National Baptist Convention of America; and the Rev. Julius Scruggs, president of the National Baptist Convention USA. The gathering was in many ways designed to help deflect

criticism that the president has not been as sensitive enough to African American concerns at a time when blacks have been hurt more than other communities by the lack of jobs and the difficulty in obtaining bank financing, among other issues.

While the president has not responded publicly to critics ranging from Congressional Black Caucus members to commentator Tavis Smiley, the meeting Tuesday was the clearest sign yet that Obama has heard them.

The preachers, for their part, have written an open letter to media outlets praising the job Obama has done and encouraging him to “stay the course.”

“President Obama has pursued policies that are crucial for our communities and the nation as a whole, and we cannot afford to lose courage and fortitude at this juncture,” reads the letter, which more than 30 ministers signed. “President Obama has fought for us -- and we must fight for him. . . . We have been troubled by the trivial debates that have become more prominent in Washington and across the country, while at the same time our families are facing historic challenges.”

The fact that the meeting was welcomed by officials at the White House is a shift from Obama’s seeming detachment from the question of whether he

should have a “black agenda.”

In the past, he has responded by saying that “a rising tide lifts all boats” and that his job “is to be president of the whole country.”

“It was helpful to meet with him,” said Smith, who cautioned that even though the president pledged support to what the church leaders are doing he can do only so much. “It is not the responsibility of the president to set our agenda. We already have an agenda.”

The letter outlines Obama’s accomplishments on behalf of “the least of these,” citing changes in education policy, health care and financial regulation.

“We are in the mix here,” Vashti M. McKenzie, a bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, said in an interview. “If you are talking about health care, you are talking about African Americans. If you talk about unemployment, African Americans are losing jobs disproportionately. Everybody’s hopes are high, but he inherited so many problems.”

Joshua DuBois, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships,

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Commentary Thursday, April 1, 2010 • The Weekly Press • Page 4

The Way I See It

Shame on the Slackers

sign a form that entitles them to their per diem It is a crying shame check. to learn that our lawI would like to makers (of all nerve congraulate the House these people) are misusSpeaker for cracking ing monies owned by down on the matter. the state of Louisiana With or without the and paid by the people budget crisis that we of Louisiana as a handare experiencing at the out paid for per diem present time, it is hard to William pay for so called official believe that those people Jones meetings. who suppose to have Furthermore, a per our trust and confidence diem does not necessary mean a would do so by taking our hard day it is said in some cases they earned money through taxes in may meet for only one hour. such unfaithful manner.

Furthermore is has been said This message is for poor that everyone attending a commit- people like me who work hard tee meeting can see if lawmakers and pay taxes. I speak for the in some cases check-in, maybe poor. listen for a minute, get a free cup

of coffee in the anteroom, then That Is The Way I See It.

By William Jones

Beyond The Rhetoric

A Strategic Solution to Black Unemployment

By Harry C. Alford NNPA Columnist (NNPA) - It is no secret that this recession has been especially difficult for Black Americans.

The latest figures from the U.S. Department of Labor show that while unemployment among Whites is at about 8.8 percent, that number is nearly double - 15.8 percent for Blacks, and among all Black men the rate is nearly 20 percent.

That is based upon the most commonly used unemployment measure. But a study did by the U.S. Congress’ Joint Economic Committee finds that the U6 measure – those who have given up looking for a job, or are working part time but want a full time job – the unemployment figure for Blacks is 24.9 percent – nearly one-in-four Black Americans.

Along any axis of measurement, this recession has hit us with the force of an 18-wheeler truck. There appears to be no mercy as we are at the bottom of every economic “ladder”.

One piece of the data shows that there might be an approach to Black unemployment that could have a significant impact over the long term: A college degree. That appears to be the “ticket” to greater quality of life and economic success. A degree can be the great equalizer.

The Joint Economic Committee report shows that “African Americans with a 4-year college degree have an unemployment rate of 8.2 percent.” While this is still higher than the five percent unemployment rate for all college graduates, it is obviously far below the nearly 16 percent unemployment rate for all Blacks. This corresponds to what financial aid expert Mark Kantrowitz has recently written: “a Bachelor’s degree conveys a greater increase in earnings for [minority] students…”

So, how do we get Black kids to go to college? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2008 about 20 percent of Blacks had a college degree and about 2.5 million Blacks were enrolled in a college or university in the fall of 2008, which is up from about 1.9 million in the fall of 2002.

Not every child – Black or White – is going to fit into a traditional college or university where the four-year degree must be followed by one or more years of graduate school to be qualified to follow a career path. That is true even for traditionally Black colleges and universities.

There is another option, one which should be more fully explored especially in light of the statistics above: Career-oriented colleges.

About two million students now attend private sector colleges and universities with Black students accounting for about

18 percent of that total or about 360,000. These schools have changed dramatically over the past 30 years. More than 90 percent of students at private sector institutions are now enrolled in degree programs, and 70 percent are full-time students.

Students who choose to attend career-oriented colleges – which accounts for about eight percent of total college enrollment – do so for a variety of reasons, but one of the most common is the perception they can go directly from receiving a diploma to a job in any field from nursing, to culinary arts; and from industrial design to retail management.

Given these data, one might expect the Obama Administration to be going full-tilt in helping to improve the path to careeroriented colleges as a way to help reduce Black unemployment.

That isn’t happening. In fact, the Department of Education is threatening to erect barriers in that path to do just the opposite.

Right now the Department is considering a rule known as “Gainful Employment.” The rule sounds good, but a better name would be the “Mandated Income-to-Loan Test” or the “Fewer-Choices-for-Students Act.” Whatever you call it, the rule would set an absolute ratio on how much a student must earn to how much he or she might owe in total loans. If a student’s chosen academic program fails the arbitrary ratio test, then the student loses her right to take federal loans.

As I recently wrote to the Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan: “The Gainful Employment rule would disproportionally harm low-income and minority populations by discriminating against students who must borrow the needed tuition to attend college.”

There are many things that our Education Secretary needs to further discuss with the people and explore all the options. His mind seems to be totally made up on things that have not been fully tested or proven. We must engage him.

Without access to Title IV financial aid, the Department of Education will effectively eliminate the ability to gain a college degree for young Black men and women which as the Joint Economic Committee data show, is the only proven route out of high unemployment for that most vulnerable segment of the American population. For this reason, I hope the Department will abandon this proposed rule.

Harry Alford is the cofounder, President/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce®. Website: www.nationalbcc.org. Email: halford@ nationalbcc.org.

Tiger Woods and the Masters: The Ultimate Odd Couple

By George E. Curry NNPA Columnist The Second Coming of Tiger Woods, just four days after Easter, will dominate the airways this weekend. Woods chose the tradition-laden golf course for his return, in part, because it provides him the best buffer to separate him from fans and journalists who want to know about his extramarital dalliances with the likes of former porn stars and his one-car accident with a tree and fire hydrant last November near his Orlandoarea home.

The curiosity factor has been heightened by Woods’ carefully-scripted reaction to his very public fall from grace: his refusal to meet with police after the accident, his staged press conference in which he read a statement but declined to take questions and the 5-minute “interviews” with two news outlets leading up to the Augusta National. In a poor tactical move, he did not hold a formal news conference until Monday, more than four months after the incident.

To orchestrate his PR, Woods hired Ari Fleischer, the former White House press secretary under George W. Bush. Of the many competent public relations firms around, both Black and White, Team Tiger selected one whose owner had to explain why Bush lied to American citi-

zens about Iraq purdecided to “pick and portedly possessing choose” Louis Willie, weapons of mass a local Black insurance destruction. I guess executive, to become when you’ve been an honorary member as self-destructive before graduating to as Tiger Woods, with full membership. It the skank-of-the-day now admits Africandisclosures, it’s best Americans, Jews and George to turn to a master of women as members.

E. Curry mass distortion.

Last September, ForEven more surmer Secretary of State prising than turning to a former Condoleezza Rice, a native of Bush mouthpiece to repair his Birmingham, became a full tarnished public image was the member of Shoal Creek. selection of Augusta for his reThe Augusta National turn to golf. The first Masters hasn’t made as much progress. tournament took place in Au- In fact, women are still prohibgusta in 1934. African-American ited from joining the country golfers were not allowed to play club. there until 40 years later when Augusta’s history of racial Lee Elder broke the color bar- exclusion was broken by Lee rier.

Elder but shattered by Tiger The country club did not Woods. En route to earning have its first Black member until the fabled green jacket in 1997, 1990. That happened just months Woods shot a record 18 under after the all-White Shoal Creek par, earning a 12-shot victory.

Golf and Country Club in Bir- In 2001, Woods won another mingham, Ala. was warned by green jacket with a two stroke, the Professional Golf Association 16 under par victory.

(PGA) that it would not be alIn a not-so-subtle effort to lowed to continue hosting major “Tiger-proof” the golf course, the tournaments if it continued its Augusta National Country Club Whites-only policy. Hall Thomp- lengthened nine holes, adding son, the Augusta founder, de- a total of 285 yards. The result? clared at the time, “This is our Tiger Woods won the Masters home, and we pick and choose again in 2002, becoming the secwho we want.” ond-youngest player to win the Civil rights groups threat- tournament three times. He won ened to picket the tournament a fourth Masters in 2005. and major corporations withProfessional golf for years drew as sponsors. To end the was known as one of the most controversy, the country club segregated professional sports.

It was not until 1961 – long after most major sports were desegregated – that it removed the Whites-only clause from its membership requirements. That does not mean, however, that African-Americans have not been involved in the sport.

John Shippen, the son of a Black father and Native American mother, competed in the U.S. Open in 1896. George Grant, a Boston dentist, is credited with inventing the modern wooden tee in 1899. Calvin Pete won the 1979 Greater Milwaukee Open, the first of his 12 career PGA victories.

When Tiger Woods exploded on the professional golf scene in 1996, it was supposed to usher in a new era of AfricanAmericans who wanted to be like Tiger. Inner city youth were encouraged to take up golf and the PGA pledged to initiate more activities to encourage Blacks to take up golf, a sport long associated with privileged White males.

In the 1960s and 1970s, there were at least 10 Black golfers on the PGA tour, including Calvin Pete, Charlie Sifford, Lee Elder and Pete Brown. Today, even after Tiger Woods’ success on the golf course, he is the only African-American on the tour.

The only other dark-skin PGA golfer is Vijay Singh, a Fijian.

When asked about the lack See woods, on page 7

A Time to Break Silence

By Ron Walters NNPA Columnist (NNPA) - Some will notice that the title of this missive comes from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech, “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence,” when he challenged the war then being waged in the name of global anti-Communism that conflicted with fighting the evils of racism, militarism and materialism at home.

These evils still rage today.

Racism still presides over the attitudes and actions of many who shoot unarmed Blacks before bringing them to justice, or spit on Black congressmen, calling them the N… word.

Militarism is still regarded as the ultimate tool by which we regain our revenge and global standing in Afghanistan, and materialism causes many of us not to care about those less fortunate who are growing by the minute in the wake of an economic disaster.

Dr. King spoke out because having won the Nobel Prize for Peace, he considered how that should shape his attitude to-

ward achieving peace, ment that is fighting not only at home but oppression to be on abroad as well. His the “Left.” But the first task was to reissues it raises about define the work of fixing home foreclo“civil rights” out of sures, unemployment, the narrow frame of poverty, and fairly reference that made distributing national his friends and allies resources places it in in struggle think that the moral center.

Ron “peace” was outside What I think we of their parameter could not anticipate Walters and castigated him, was that the growth of and others thought that it ex- post-war affluence that built the cluded him not only from par- American middle class would ticipating in international affairs, also strengthen a self-centered but in even understanding the materialism that would resist issues involved. King, on the the expansion of human rights other hand, was fighting for a to other people. Thus, the fight definition of “civil rights” that to extend health care to 30 milencompassed human rights and lion more people should be a the enrichment of the human moral calling that should excite condition around the world. rather than annoy us; it raises We need to think about that the contradiction of Tea Partiers today. and others opposing health care In other words, many peo- for Americans, moving pass the ple in this country considered moral question to the political civil rights as a problem of Black view that it expands the size of people, but he was attempting to government. Why are moral move it into the moral center of institutions not challenging the country. That is important this? because, as Rev. Jesse Jackson Today in Iraq and AfghaniSr. has often said, today many stan we are regarded by many consider the Civil Rights move- as the “strange liberators” that

Dr. King saw in Vietnam. The civilian casualties of firefights and raids – unintended or not – leave behind a carnage that is not the face of benevolent liberators. Lately, perhaps too late, the Obama administration has sought to blunt the casualties of counter-insurgency warfare to employ tools of economic and social development. If we do not, at some point, reach a stage where the task of human reconstruction outweighs the military campaign, we are creating the next generation of combatants against the United States.

Let me add my voice to those who have concluded that the comparison between President Obama and Dr. King is the wrong one, and that Obama is not the fulfillment of Dr. King’s dream. I would concede that he is one of the shining elements of that fulfillment, but that Dr. King’s dream was focused not on individuals but on the wellbeing of Black people, the nation and the oppressed around the world.

President Obama himself See silence, 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

Thursday, March 2010 •• The Weekly Press •• Page Page 55 Thursday, April25, 1, 2010

LDR Announces Website, Toll-free Number Winn-Dixie Announces to Answer “Where’s my Refund?”

Food Recovery Program

BATON ROUGE – Taxpayers wanting information on the status of their state income tax refund can find it online or by calling a toll-free number, the Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) announced Tuesday.

LDR’s “Where’s My ReJACKSONVILLE, FLA. — Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: WINN) announced today the complete roll out of its Food Recovery Program, which provides perishable items to local Feeding America affiliate food banks in the company’s five-state operating area. Approximately Convergys Corporation 3.5 million pounds of usable food (NYSE: CVG), a global leader in was donated to feed the hungry relationship management, is hirin the program’s pilot phase during for 200 additional full-time ing the past 15 contact months.center in positions at its a grocer, we are conBaton“As Rouge, Louisiana. cerned about the of New Convergysnumber employees Americans seeking foodservice assiswill provide customer tance in today’s economy, and support for a client in the telewe are very pleased to be a part communications industry. of the“Growth solution,”at said Mary Kellour contact manson, group vice us president center has enabled to proof marketing forRouge Winn-Dixie vide some Baton area job Stores, Inc. “Our partnership seekers with positions that offer with America and its great Feeding benefits and opportunities network food banks is makfor careerofgrowth and developing a meaningful the ment,” said Aleximpact Trejos,inConfight against hunger.” vergys recruitment manager in first pilotedalso the BatonWinn-Dixie Rouge. “Employees program ten stores in beginning will gainin experience the cusin January 2009,industry and has quietly tomer service which, expanded it throughout its operthanks to a renewed focus on ating area.quality It willcustomer be rolledsupout providing to all of 515 stores end port, isits expected toby bethe one of of April.

Average donations of the most important industries usable food decade.” in similar programs in the next across the country range between 250 and 300 pounds each week

fund?” website is available at www.revenue.louisiana.gov/ refund. Taxpayers can also call 1-888-829-3071.

Taxpayers who file their returns electronically with Louisiana File Online can expect their refunds within per store, including foods like bread, meats, cheeses, bagged fruits and vegetables, gelatin desserts, and sandwiches. WinnDixie officials estimate the program will result in 6 million to 8 million pounds of usable food making its way to food banks each year once the program is Convergys offers emoperating in all of the company’s ployees comprehensive trainstores. ing, competitive wages plus “Thisflexible program will help incentives, scheduling, us provide millions of meals to and benefits including tuition Americans who are living on the reimbursement, 401(k) and brink of hunger,” Espaid and unpaid said timeVicki off. Sixcarra, and chief execuweek president sessions of paid training tive officerpositions of Feedingwill America. for these begin “One of our important objectives in March 2010 and continue at Feeding America is finding through May 2010. Shifts curnew sources of fresh during and nutrirently are available aftious foodand to provide to the 5.7 ternoons evenings seven million people who rely on us days a week. for food each candidates week of theshould year.

Potential We are extremely grateful to possess solid customer service Winn-Dixie for providing this experience, strong computer invaluable skills, and community the ability toservice work –flexible hunger hours. is a real and persistent Employment problem facingon many of our nais contingent a successful tion’s communities today.” background check.

Please contact Robin Lake Interested candidates also Miller or Patrick McSweeney by may apply online at www.concalling these numbers respecvergys.com/careers. For more tively (904) 370-7715 or (904) information, call Convergys’ 596-2085 or byatcellphone at 904) local Jobline (225) 987-2300.

327-1445 and (904) 923-4871 for more information.

Partnership Helps Food Banks Feed Hungry, Eliminates Waste

Convergys to Hire 200 Employees in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Email your news articles to

The 8ththewpres@bellsouth.net Annual Fair Housing Summit

BATON ROUGE, LA - The 8th Annual Fair Housing Summit will be held on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at the Southern University Agricultual & Research Center. The time for this summit is from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This is a fee for registra-

tion before April 15, 2010 and for more information please call 225-356-8871 exr. #211, for more information. Or you can e-mail them at www.urecb.com. The mailing address is Urban Restoration Enhancement Corporation Post Offiece Box 73032, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70874.

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NEW YORK – Toyota will continue to offer most of its heavy incentives throughout April after the deals helped BATON ROUGE, lift its sales more thanLA 40 – Baton Rouge’s Women in Media percent last month, the auwill oncesaid again host the Attire tomaker Tuesday. for Hire clothing colToyota Motordrive Corp.towill lect used work-appropriate attire continue to offer cheap leases for local the on up towomen eight reentering of its most workplace in the Greater Baton popular models, including Rouge community.

Women the Camry, Corolla and RAV4.in Media has teamed up with It is scaling back its zero-perKean’s Fine Dry Cleaning cent financing offers to justto hostvehicles the semiannual six instead ofcommueight, nity drive on Saturday, April 17 but is expanding a popular from 8 a.m.free to noon.

The drive two-year maintenance will again be held at two Kean’s program to all customers. locations in Baton Rouge, 8967 The free maintenance Jefferson Highway at I-12 and program was limited to just 4665 Perkins Road at College return customers in March, Drive.

All donors receive but Toyota said it iswill expanda coupon for $5 off at Kean’s ing the program because it Fine Dry Cleaning for their was popular among customers.

The promotions run through May 3, Toyota said.

Unlike U.S. automakers, Toyota has typically shied Louisiana agriculture conaway from heavy incentive tributed $8.3 billion to the state’s programs, due to their cost economy in 2009, which was and potential brand damage the lowest contribution since over the long term. But Toy2002 and down from $9.5 bilota rolled out a series of unlion in 2008, according to the precedented promotions last latest figures compiled by the LSU AgCenter in its annual Ag Summary, which was released today (March 15).

In 2002, the contribution was $7.5 billion, and the high in the intervening years $10.9JPbilCitigroup Incwas (C.N), lion in 2007, said LSU AgCenter Morgan Chase & Co (JPM.N) and Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) may soon show compelling evidence that they have stopped the bleeding in terms of credit losses and loan writedowns.

But when first-quarter results start rolling in next week, investors who have fueled a blistering rally in bank shares will be looking for signs that banks are gearing up to actually make money, rather than losing less.

Most analysts are wary of the continuing toll of consumer credit losses, mainly in credit cards and mortgages, at major U.S. banks. But they also see signs of improvement as the industry emerges from credit woes that began nearly three years ago.

Earnings have stabilized but “we’re still at the stage of less-worse for these banks,” said Ralph Cole, portfolio manager at Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, which owns JPMorgan shares.

“They’re dealing with problems as they have to, and as they have the financial means to do so. They’re earning their way out.”

In the first quarter, banks

also the future,” said Holden as he spoke in front of a crowd of more than 1,000 students at a Chinese university. The mayor spoke about his goal to make Baton Rouge a better city.

Holden said he has reached an agreement with the Shang Hai Business School to start a foreign exchange program with students from their school and business students at both Southern University and LSU. Holden hopes to bring more foreign universities in on the deal.

“For us in Baton Rouge it

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simply means this, we know the quality of talent we have in Baton Rouge,” said Holden.

“But we have to make sure this talent is known on a worldwide market.”

Holden has been busy in meetings and that is set to continue in the coming days.

“We’ll be meeting back with the people who want to bring the gamma knife which is a revolutionary cancer treatment facility to Baton Rouge,” said Holden.

Holden’s trip to China is set to wrap up in four days.

distributed to organizations that work directly with women everyday to assure their success.

These organizations included you received Social Secuthe IfCenikor Foundation, Faith rity benefits in 2009, you Myrineed Family Outreach Center, House and Sweet Dreams toam’s know whether or not these Shelter of VincentHere de Paul, benefits areSt.taxable. are and Women’s Community Reseven facts the Internal Revenue habilitation (WCRC).

Service wantsCenter you to know about For morebenefits information on Social Security so you Attire for Hire, please log on to can determine whether or not HYPERLINK “http://www. they are taxable to you. womeninmedia.net” www.

How much – if any – of womeninmedia.net or contact your Social Security benefits are Amber Hebert at 225-802-1123 or taxable depends on your total HYPERLINK “mailto:amber@ income and marital status. womeninmedia.net” amber@ Generally, if Social Sewomeninmedia.net . curity benefits were your only income for 2009, your benefits recalls earlier this year. models and braking issues are not taxable and you probThe incentives’ extension in the Prius hybrid. ably do not need to file a federal come a day after the DepartThe incentives Toyota anincome tax return. ment of Transportation said it nounced last month helped If you received income will fine Toyota $16.4 million lift demand after sales fell in from other sources, your benefits for hiding a product defect February. Last week, the comeconomist John Westra, who for the raw commodity, which will the first stop beyond the farm,” not be taxed unless your and failing to quickly alert pany said U.S. sales in March serves as project director of this totaled $4.9 billion, and the sale modified Westra said.

“The level ofincome valueadjusted gross regulators to safety problems soared 41 percent, outpacing annual survey, which has been price of the next step in the jour- isadded among commore varies than the base the amount in some of its vehicles. the broader auto industry and conducted since 1978. ney from farmer to consumer, for modities.” your filing status.

Toyota has recalled more putting it about 1,000 vehicles “Many people don’t real- called value-added, which was Thetaxable LSU AgCenter also Your benefits and than 8 million vehicles around short of outselling General ize the significance of produc- $3.4 billion. develops a Value of Louisiana modified adjusted gross income the world and about 6 million Motors. tion agriculture to Louisiana’s For example, with sugar- Agriculture report, which inare figured on a worksheet in economy,” Westra said. “That cane the $752 million contribu- cludes retail, shipping and fur1040A or Form 1040 was one of the original reasons tion in 2009 includes the price the the therForm processing.

That number Instruction booklet. for starting this annual report farmers received for their cane in 2007 was $29 billion. A new Youreflecting can do the following more than 30 years ago.” and the price the mills received version 2008 figures quick computation to determine The $8.3 billion figure is for producing raw sugar from will be available by May 1. whether some of your benefits a combination of two numbers thefourth cane. quarter. particularly benefited from 2009 may be taxable: – the sale price the farmer gets “Our figures only go to lower funding costs amid an But they still expect 38 See economy, on page 7 First, add one-half of the easing credit environment, percent of those banks to retotal Social Security benefits which fed margin expansion. port losses. you received to all your other On Tuesday, Wells Fargo Of course, improvement Securities raised large-cap U.S. among the top banks will be income, including any tax exbanks by a notch to “market anything but uniform. Ranked empt interest and other excluweight,” citing positive eco- by assets, Bank of America is sions from income. nomic data and more clarity No. 1, followed by JPMorgan, Then, compare this total to on asset-quality trends. Ana- Citigroup and Wells Fargo. the base amount for your filing lysts picked Bank of America JPMorgan, which is exstatus. If the total is more than and PNC Financial Services pected to report earnings of your base amount, some of your Group Inc (PNC.N) as best 65 cents per share against 40 benefits may be taxable. positioned to benefit from an cents a year earlier, is widely The 2009 base amounts investor focus on normalized seen as the strongest of the are: earnings. four biggest U.S. banks, having • $32,000 for married couAnalysts’ newfound op- weathered the financial crisis timism has been matched by better than most. Wells Fargo ples filing jointly. investors. The KBW Bank is projected to report 41 cents • $25,000 for single, head of Index (.BKX) rose 21.7 percent per share, compared with 56 household, qualifying widow/ in the first quarter, far better cents a year ago, according to widower with a dependent than the 4.7 percent increase analyst surveys by Thomson child, or married individuals in the broader S&P 500 Index Reuters I/B/E/S. filing separately who did not (.SPX).

On the rockier side of live with their spouses at any Citigroup shares posted things are the two biggest time during the year. the biggest gain among the top bailout recipients among the • $0 for married persons banks, up 22 percent. top banks: Bank of America is filing separately who lived toBank of America and Wells projected to report earnings of Fargo & Co (WFC.N) rose 18.5 8 cents per share, down from gether during the year. percent and 15.5 percent, re- 44 cents a year earlier, and Citiadditional information Attorney LAw • PersonAL Injury &For bAnkruPtcy spectively.

JPMorgan At Chase group is seen breaking even on the taxability of Social Secuwas a relative laggard, gain- after losing 18 cents a share a rity benefits, see IRS Publication ing 7.5 percent. year ago.

915, Social Security and EquivaLocated inKeefe, Scotlandville Analysts at Bruyette “JPMorgan’s the only one lent Railroad Retirement Benand WoodsScenic forecastHwy. first-quar- able to look forward, while 8152 efits. Publication 915 is available ter net profit of $2 billion for the Bank of America and Citi are Baton La. 70807 at IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAXbanks theyRouge, cover, compared See u.s. bank, on page 7 FORM (800-829-3676). with a loss of $4.4 billion in the

Agriculture Contributes $8.3 Billion to Louisiana Economy

Leroy Turner

Holden from page 1

generosity. and new life into everything it Items may include gently- touches, and I encourage you to used business suits and related do the same by helping women separates, professional blouses, in need in our community. Your shoes and purses. (Sorry, jewelry donation can help these women and undergarments cannot be receive the added boost of conaccepted.) Women in Media fidence they need to reenter the respectfully requests that your workplace.” items be hung on hangers when “The gift of clothing is delivered. such a simple, yet significant Attire for Hire Chairper- need, and we hope that the son, Amber Hebert stated, “It’s community will once again that time of year again when respond to our call to action,” Inwe’re this photo madesay Feb.goodbye 23, 2010, a customer walks around ToyotaPresident dealready to said Women in aMedia ership floorweather in Silver Spring, Md. Toyota continue to offer most of its the cool and jump into will Julie Arinder. heavy incentives throughout after the deals helped lift its sales more spring, and that meansApril spring The last Attire for Hire than 40 percent last month, thecleanautomakerclothing said Tuesday, 2010. in Occleaning.

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Page 6 • The

Weekly Press • Thursday, April 1, 2010

God is Still Working Miracles.” Part II thanked and praised God for being alive.

Before this, she She didn’t care about wondered why she who was looking at was having such inher, she praised God tense pain. She found anyway. this out after going back She testified and forward to different that out of all the doctors. When trying women on her floor to urinate, the pain was who had the same Ida very severe and when surgery, she was the London trying to have a bowel only one who surmovement the pain was vived it. still severe. During the trips to She said that a man who the doctor, they took x-rays, but brought his daughter to have nothing showed up. Finally, surgery heard them praying in after 6 months of intense mind her room and he asked them numbing pain, the doctor found to pray for his daughter. The out what the problem was. members of the church, her sis So now, she has no blad- ter and herself went in prayer der, no rectum, no spleen and no and his daughter survived the female organs. Most of her large surgery, and now her family intestines and some of her small and his family have become intestines have been removed. friends.

During the surgery’s, the doctor For days after hearing this had to switch the sides of where miracle testimony, all I could her intestines would normally day is, “Oh my God” every time be in her body.

I thought about it.

My friend asked, “Well, I know this lady went if you have no bladder or rec- through a major process of tum, how do you urinate or def- physical, mental and emotional ecate?” She raised up her shirt healing. It was not easy for her a little and said, “This is how.” to accept life as it is now. She She have two bags strapped on had to adapt to taking care of her stomach, one for urine and herself in ways she never imagthe other for solid waste. ined.

She testified that this sur Some would think that gical procedure lasted 14 hours. miracles only occurred in the When she awaken from the Bible days. God is still worksurgery, she found out all that ing miracles in today’s time as had been done, she wanted to well. God never change. He’s die. She said that she no longer the same today, yesterday, and felt like a real person, because forever more. It takes faith to more had been done than she believe and see that God is still anticipated. working miracles. As the song But, because of the sup- writer said, “He’s a miracle port of her church members, worker.” her family and especially her Then great multitudes sister by her side both day and came to Him, having with them night encouraging her, quoting the lame, blind, mute, maimed healing scriptures and reading and many others and they laid the bible to her and with her them down at Jesus’ feet, and and constantly praying with He healed them. her, gave her the will to live.

So the multitude mar The doctor continued to veled when they saw the mute work with her and teach her speaking, the maimed made to empty and change her bags. whole, the lame walking, and During the process, after being the blind seeing, and they gloridischarged from the hospital, fied the God of Israel. (Matthew home health came in to help 15:30-31 KJV). her. She testified that it took As said before, some peo18 months to learn how to walk ple look like a picture of health again. As time passed on, she on the other side, but inside lies gained the desire to get out of some horrifying stories. Only the house and eventually she God can restore and heal the ventured out to the mall. mind (mental state) of those She said when seeing who are dealing with such situpeople she knew, she talked to ations. It takes faith to see God them and told them how she work a miracle in your life.

By Ida London

Religion

Building Blocks to a Solid Marriage: Part III in Series on Marriage, Relationships

her know is that my life has been committed to Asked to give an her, regardless of the assessment of what’s storms that may come. gone wrong in marMarriage can only thrive riages today, the Rev. when it’s built upon the Charles Bodwin, pastor solid foundation. Jesus of Christ Memorial MisChrist is the chief corsionary Baptist Church nerstone (of that founin Dallas , didn’t hesidation).”

Donald tate.

That having been Lee “There are too said, I want to share many people in marwith you the building riages today with their finger blocks to a successful marriage on the ‘delete’ button,” Pastor — principles rooted in Christ.

Bodwin, 39, said. “They should And when couples apply these have their finger on the ‘send’ principles — and apply them button, send it up to the Lord whole-heartedly — we’ll begin in prayer and let God bless the to see a more accurate depiction marriage.” of what God had in mind when National statistics show He instituted marriage. that 50 percent of marriages in Pastor Bre Eaton, an associthe United States are ending in ate pastor and intercessor at God’s divorce. And as long as people Guiding Light Christian Center in marriages are impatient with in southeast Houston , provides one another, Pastor Bodwin said, powerful information that is sure a significant decline in that trend to be an anointed healing agent will continue to be evasive. for marriages on the brink of sep“People don’t realize the aration or divorce, and positive work that it takes to have a suc- reinforcement for marriages that cessful marriage. Because we live are already allowing Jesus to be in a microwave society, we want a Lord over their marriages. microwave relationship,” said PasThe first building block, tor Bodwin, who has been married Pastor Bre said, is understanding 15 years to his wife, 37-year-old that marriage is a covenant; it’s Sherry Bodwin, and with whom more than a contract. he has eight children.

“Christ is the chief corner“We forgot the benefits of stone in our relationships; we a slow roasted meal,” said Pastor build upon that solid foundation, Bodwin, drawing a comparison brick by brick,” she said. “Let’s between a fine cuisine that takes talk about the first brick. Covenant time to cook and a beautiful mar- is forever, meaning that it can’t be riage, or relationship, that takes undone. Marital vows say ‘until time to develop. “It takes time to death do us part.’ But when we generate the right kind of flavor. talk about contracts, they have It takes time, it takes work and it certain clauses and stipulations, takes patience. they have loop holes.

“My saying to my wife is “When people don’t have this: If she ever leaves me, she has a covenant mindset going into to make sure she gets an apart- marriage, they think contract,” ment with two rooms, because Pastor Bre said. “They have the when she gets there, I’ll be there contract mentality. They say, ‘If it with her,” Pastor Bodwin said. doesn’t work out, I can opt out.’

“In a nutshell, what I’m letting And a lot of times, before people

By Donald Lee

Charles and Sherry Bodwin

step into a covenant with God, a lot of couples don’t count up the cost, meaning that a lot of times, people hastily make vows before God that they cannot keep.

“God is real serious about covenant relationships — so serious to the point where He holds us accountable,” she said, referencing the book of Numbers, the 30th chapter. “The Bible says it’s better for us not to make a vow than to make a vow and break it.”

The second building block in the marriage covenant involves the husband loving his wife as Christ loved the church.

“God commands a man to love his wife more than just a feeling or an emotion. It requires a man to demonstrate sacrificial love,” Pastor Bre said, alluding to Ephesians 5:25-32. “It’s a part of God’s blueprint plan for a man to love his wife as Christ loved the church. The commandment to love his wife means that the husband is to commit himself for life.”

The third building block, Pastor Bre said, is the wife respecting and submitting herself

to her own husband (Ephesians 5:22-24).

“Respect and submission parallel with love and honor,” Pastor Bre said. “Respect and submission are a requirement.

Wives have to make a conscientious decision to respect and submit unto their husbands.

“God commands you to respect your husband, honor your husband and submit to his leadership and guidance,” Pastor Bre said. “When a wife learns how to respect and submit to her own husband, it’s nothing that the husband wouldn’t do for her.

He would roll out the red carpet for her. Bottom line.”

Lastly, both husbands and wives must understand that the marriage covenant involves an intimate and passionate relationship with one another (see Proverbs 5:18-19 and Song of Solomon, chapters one through eight). Singles preparing for marriage must understand this, as well.

“Biblical marriage covenant involves intimacy — passion — between the couple,” Pastor Bre said, referencing sexual intimacy.

“Most marriages dwindle or fizzle out because of the lack of intimacy in their marital relationships.”

Apply these principles, ladies and gentlemen, and watch your marriage shine.

Next week: Part IV in this series on marriage and relationships will address the topic of “Divorce.”

Questions on marriage, or prayer requests, may be addressed to either pastors: Donald Lee at pastordonjlee@yahoo.com or (225) 773-2248; Charles Bodwin at bodwincharles@yahoo.com or (214) 659-2311; or Bre Eaton at kingdomprayers4am@yahoo.com or (832) 228-5790. To join the daily 4 a.m. prayer group, call Pastor Bre or Pastor Lee.

4th Year Anniversary of the Greater First Church-Baptist BAKER, LA - The Greater First Church-Baptist will be celebrating its 4th Anniversary on Saturday May 15 and Sunday May 16, 2010.

On Saturday from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. a “Family and Friends Fun Day Picnic” will include great food, recreation and

fun for the kids and great fellowship among those who attend!

This family friendly event will be held on the church grounds and is free to the public.

Sunday at 11:00 a.m. the celebration continues with an extraordinary worship and praise experience which characterizes

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

the hospitality and warmth and freedom of expression of its members. A special prophetic message will be presented by Reverend Anthony Kelley. Special guests from far and near will be in attendance and will be sharing their special talents and gifts. A Louisiana style Fellowship Dinner will

follow the service at 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship and Activity Center.

For more information, please call the church secretary, Brenda Johnson at (225) 7784788, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Greater.

Good Shepherd Full Gospel B.C. The People’s Church 2865 Mission Drive • Baton Rouge, 70805 • Telephone (225)356-5873 Bishop H. Hayes, Pastor Hour of Power 12 Noon Each Wednesday Sunday School 8:00 AM Church Service 9:00 AM Lord’s Supper 2nd Sunday 6:00 PM Bible Study Wednesday 7:00 PM Sister/ Brotherhood 6:00 PM You Will Be Blessed Under The Anointed Man Of God

St. Mary Baptist Church “The Church that Love Built” 1252 N. Acadian Thruway East • Baton Rouge, LA. 70802 Telephone (225) 387-2926 Rev. Conway L Knighton, Pastor Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Worship Service - 11:00 a.m.

Lord’s Supper - 1st Sunday 11:00 a.m.

Prayer Meeting - Wednesday 6:00 p.m.

Bible Study - Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

Thursday 10:00 a.m.

Antioch

A Full Gospel Baptist Church Sundays Worship Experience..................................... 7:00 A.M. & 9:00 A.M. Intercessory Prayer/Life Study........................................Tuesdays 7:00 P.M. Intercessory Prayer......................................................... Saturdays 9:00 A.M. Bishop Gregory Cooper, Sr. Pastor 5247 Ford Street, Baton Rouge, La 70811 (225) 355-7741 Office (225) 356-3854 Fax

www.antiochla.org

thewpres@bellsouth.net

New Birth

Full Gospel Ministries 1283 Rosenwald Road • Baton Rouge, La. 70807 Phone: (225) 775-6713 • Fax: (225) 775-4216

Ivory J. Payne, Pastor

Order Of Service

Sunday Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:00 A.M. Holy Communion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3rd Sunday1:00 P.M. Sunday School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 A.M. Bible Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thursday 7:00 P.M.

“The New Life”Therefore if any man be in christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all thing are become new. —I Corinthians 5:17

Radio Broadcast 1st & 3rd Sunday WXOK at 8:00 am

NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH 5856 Greenwell Springs Road • Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806

Telephone: (225) 926-0246 • Facsimile: (225) 927-8500 • Toll Free # 1-888-700-6174 E- Mail Address # nhbc@nhbc.brcoxmail.com Sunday Morning Worship - 10:45 AM Leo D. Cyrus Lord’s SupperPastor -3rd Sundays

Sunday School - 9:30 AM

Sr., Prayer Pastor Service - Wed. @ 6:00 PM

Bible StudySchedule - Wed- @ 7:00 PM Church

Sunday Morning Worship.................................................................10:45 AM Mission Statement: New Hope Baptist Church is a family of baptized believers Lord’ s Supper. ...............................................................................3rd Sundays who worship the Lord our God in spirit and in truth, teach the saved to reach the Sunday . .................................................................................9:30 lost andSchool minister to the needs of others, while encouraging one anotherAMthrough acts of love and living in obedience to Gods Word Prayer Service.......................................................................

Wed. @ 6:00 PM Bible Study............................................................................Wed- @ 7:00 PM

Mission Statement: New Hope Baptist Church is a family of baptized believers who worship the Lord our God in spirit and in truth, teach the saved to reach the lost and minister to the needs of others, while encouraging one another through acts of love and living in obedience to Gods Word

If you would like your church to be included on the Church Directory. Please Call The Baton Rouge Weekly Press for details at 225-775-2002 or, e-mail us with your billing address to thewpres@bellsouth.net

Earl K. Long Medical Center Scores Above National and Regional Averages in Annual Survey BATON ROUGE– Earl K. Long Medical Center (EKLMC) exceeded national and regional averages on an annual basis in the HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey summarizing inpatient perspectives on the general quality of hospital services. This national, standardized, publicly reported survey compares the quality of hospitals on a regional and national basis.

EKLMC excelled in pain management, communication with nurses and doctors, communication about medication, responsiveness of hospital staff, a quiet and clean hospital environment, discharge information, overall patient satisfaction, patients’ willingness to recommend the hospital and overall patient rating of hospital.

Besides comparing favorably with quality hospitals nationwide, EKLMC exhibited specific strengths in Key Drivers of Overall Satisfaction.

These Key Drivers are of great importance to patients. Patients strongly associate them with the overall quality of the hospital.

Key Drivers for EKLMC that were significantly above regional and national benchmarks were in the areas of pain management and communication with nurses and doctors.

No Key Drivers of Overall Satisfaction for EKLMC rated significantly below the 2007 HCAHPS Benchmark.

Conducted over the course

of four quarters, August 2008 through July 2009, and with more than two dozen questions, the HCAHPS survey asked patients about their willingness to recommend the hospital, communication with doctors and nurses, responsiveness of hospital staff, pain management, communication about medicines, discharge information, and the cleanliness and quietness of the hospital.

The LSU Health System - Health Care Services Division is one of the largest public health care delivery systems in the country. It has over 35,000 inpatient admissions, nearly 196,000 inpatient days, 515,500 outpatient clinic visits, 894,000 outpatient encounters, and nearly 244,000 emergency department visits.

Each year nearly 500 residents and fellows from the LSU and Tulane Schools of Medicine and Ochsner Health System and 2,200 nurses and allied health students from many colleges and universities are trained in LSU facilities.

LSU is the largest single provider of uncompensated inpatient care in Louisiana .

LSU HCSD hospitals have an economic impact of over $1.4 billion in asset business activity, $568 million in personal earnings, and generate over 12,000 jobs.

For more information, contact Marvin McGraw, Director of Communications and Media Relations, LSU Health System, 225.922.1424 or mmcgra@ lsuhsc.edu.

U.S. Bank from page 5 still looking inward, trying to fix things,” Cole said. “That’s an ongoing process. JPMorgan has the pieces that they want; now they have to figure out a way to grow.”

Citigroup could end up reporting a slightly better per-share result, while Bank of America could be slightly weaker, according to Reuters Starmine, which weights estimates according to analysts’ track records.

Given the healthy run-up in their stocks in the first quar-

Woods from page 4 of Blacks on the tour, Woods told reporters: “Am I disappointed?

Yeah. I thought there would be more of us out here.”

If there were, there might be less of a burden on Tiger this week in Augusta.

George E. Curry, former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine and the NNPA News Service, is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. He can be reached through his Web site, www.georgecurry.com You can also follow him at www.twitter. com/currygeorge.

Silence from page 4 acknowledged, in his Nobel Prize speech, that he and Dr. King had different roles in history and therefore, different responsibilities. He went on to say that there were times when the use of violence for a righteous (such as 9/11) cause was justifiable and an action that furthered the human condition. I believe that too. But I also believe that the use of American military power in pursuit of a war in Afghanistan when the force that wounded the US on September 11, 2001 is global is something of a fallacious exercise in the extended use of resources that could go to human needs and must be questioned.

If America is 35th in health care and in the lower fifth of education globally and failing economically, we are also failing to get on what Dr. King called “the right side of the world revolution.” So, the fierce urgency of now is to adopt his view of “the radical revolution of values” to make it happen.

Dr. Ron Walters is a Political Analysts and Professor Emeritus at the University of Maryland College Park. His latest book is: The Price of Racial Reconciliation (University of Michigan Press).

ter, Citigroup and Bank of America in some ways have the most to prove. But their shares are still trading under book value, while JPMorgan and Wells Fargo shares trade above book value.

Citigroup and Bank of America “still look relatively less expensive,” said Michael Holland, chairman of Holland & Co, a money management firm that owns bank stocks, including JPMorgan. “You still have some undervaluation.”

While many banks look healthier than they did a year ago, consumer credit and commercial real estate losses persist, and analysts agreed that a full recovery is not likely until next year at the earliest.

dental and mental health, simpli- or lower—a failing grade from our fied bureaucracy, and a national school days. eligibility plan for families up to Whether Members of Congress 300 percent of the federal poverty are liberal, conservative or modlevel. We thank the 62 house co- erate; Democrat, republican or sponsors for their support. how- independent, children need all of ever, we regret that neither a single them to vote, lobby, speak for and house republican nor any other protect them. Adults need to listen Senator joined them to push for carefully to what candidates say coverage for all children. they will do for children and famithe CDF Action Council strongly lies and, once they are in office, supports long overdue health cov- we need to hold them accountable. erage for everyone in America as Please thank your Members of Consoon as possible—because children gress with scores of 80 percent or cannot wait. As SChiP comes up above and let those with scores of again for reauthorization in early 60 percent or below know you are 2009, we hope every Member of dissatisfied with their performance.

Congress will insist on covering And please convey that same mesevery child and pregnant mother to eachabout presidential candidate.

ATLANTA – U.S. births fell sage Overall, 4.2 million babies by probably enacting and adequately must demand innow 2008, because of the We were born that that year,our a 2leaders percent funding theupdated provisions of the All commit to children as a the condition recession, government drop from 2007. It’s first anhealthyconfirm.

ChildrenThe Act.one excep- ofnual our vote. figures decline in births since the claimswas that we tionSpecious to the trend thecould birth start of the decade. not among find the women money—$70 billion Marian Wright Edelman is Presirate in their 40s, Experts say the most likely overperhaps five years—to coverhave all dent of the Children’s Fund who felt they didn’t explanations areDefense the recession children is belied by thatfor amount its aAction Council Leave the luxury of waiting better and and decline in whose immigration spent in eleven months for tax cuts No Child Behind® mission is tohas economic times. to the United States, which for the onerate percent of richestin ensure childon a Healthy Start,job Thetop birth for women been every blamed the weak Americans androse in seven months amarket.

Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe their early 40s a surprising for the iraq War. We do not have Start and a Moral Start in life and 4 percent over the previous year, Some early birth information a money problem in America: We successful passage to adulthood reaching its highest mark since for the first six months of 2009 have The a priorities political will with the help of caring families 1967. rate forand women in their indicates a continuing decline of deficit. it is time for all adults to and communities. late 40s also rose, slightly. about 3 percent in total births, protect health of our Butthe birth rates fellchildren. for teen CDC officials said. mothers, as well as women in Last summer, the agency their 20s and 30s. gave a first glimpse of the 2008 alk adio from page 4 “Women are postponing numbers. The new report conbirths to those later ages, above firms the birth rate decline, and all funny or remotely appropriforget less-than40,” said James Trussell, director we also giveso’reilly’s a breakdown of births ate about the use of a lynching informed comments regarding a of Princeton University’s Office by age group. reference about Michelle obama,’’ dinner he shared last year with of Population Research.

The new report found that he said. ‘’it’sdon’t - i’m know speechless.’’ at Sylvia’s harlem?for Experts for cer- Sharpton birth rates fell by 3inpercent As President Bush pointed out o’reilly expressed surprise tain why so many are delaying women in their early 20s,over 2 perso eloquently during the Black tolate other having babies, though some how centsimilarSylvia’s for women inwas their 20s, history Month event, the noose restaurants in New York restaususpect the economy is a big and 1 percent for women in their represents ‘’more than a tool of rants. factor. However, “you get to 30s. murder but a tool of intimidation’’ ‘’there wasn’t one person in the point where the biological The trend in those numbers to generations of African-Ameri- Sylvia’s who was screaming, clock starts ticking and people indicates that the older women cans. Nooses not only robbed some ‘M-Fer, i want more iced tea,’’’ realize to do it,” said he got, the less willing they were to of theirthey liveshave but many of their said.

Trussell, who was not involved postpone a birth, said the new peace of mind.

As the Washington Post’s rob-rein the research. port’s lead author, Brady Hamil‘’As a civil society, we must inson sadly observed on MSNBC The new report on births was ton of the CDC’s National understand that noose displays in February, ‘’All you can goCenter by issued Tuesday by the Statistics. and lynching jokes are Centers deeply isfor hisHealth words and his actions. And for Diseasethey Control PrevenThesaying teen birth dropped offensive. are and wrong.

And he keeps theserate things that tion.

It’s based on a review of 2 percent — and the rate for Histhey have no place in America sound pretty darn racist to me.’’ more than 99 percent of birth panic teenagers was the lowest today,’’ he said. has talk radio learned anything certificates for the nor year 2008 — from reported indecline two decades.

Theof teen Neither o’reilly ingraham imus’ and fall? the first full year of the recession. birth rate had been declining from has been reprimanded by their re- course not, because it didn’t take spective employers even though imus too terribly long to get a the Fox News personality did offer new gig. a half-hearted apology. our nation’s media outlets At least ingraham didn’t drop should not provide a platform for the l-word but her suggestion that racialhostility and hateful speech Sharpton, a former presidential now or in the future. What kind of candidate and respected member of messageare we sending to our chilthe African-American community dren, our nation and our world? and CHICAGO beyond, is a petty thief reeks in such an historic year, – The lives of year from health election problems that of race-baiting negative ste- we cannot stand may asidehelp and prevent. allow nearly 900 babiesand would be saved breast-feeding reotyping African-Americans to use the airwaves These include stomach viruses, each year,ofalong with billions individuals and black men in particular. as an outlet for insensitive and of dollars, if 90 percent of U.S. ear infections, asthma, juvenile But it’sfed hardly first time ei- misguidedcommentary. if Death you women theirthebabies breast diabetes, Sudden Infant ther has ventured something that offends you, milk only for theinto firstquestionable six months hear Syndrome and even childhood offensive territory.says. how can speak up. ofand life, a cost analysis leukemia.

The magnitude of health Those startling results, published online Monday in benefits linked to breast-feeding the yStem journal Pediatrics, from pageare4 only is vastly underappreciated, said an estimate. But several experts lead author Dr. Melissa Bartick, an who reviewed the analysis said internist and instructor at Harvard cally pointed and out that changes concerned with the conditions is the methods conclusions Medical School.

Breast-feeding whichsound. occur in a human being is atsometimes Jetson. it considered is happeninga there. seem lifestyle redirected to pullcare from the core i do is that of choice, butknow Bartick callsmost it a public “The health system has What of to hisbeown humanity to reaffirm these youth can be changed, from health issue. got aware that breast-feeding self worth and purpose. he will in a the prepatory school makes a profound difference,” said contrition Among benefits: Breast then by nature acquire will the to for Angola to rehabilitation milk contains antibodies thatfor help Dr. Ruth Lawrence, whothe heads do for himself and others. positive lifeinfections; that may lead to acan fight it also American Academy of Pediatrics’ ababies Space is not available of meritorious glory.

That is breast-feeding section. to cover life affect insulin levels in the blood, concerns of so many people Waymay I See It! breast-fed babies which make The findings suggest that the there are hundreds of deaths and less likely to develop diabetes and many more costly illnesses each obesity.

decline.”

Could You Be At Risk?

Thursday, April 1, 2010 • The Weekly Press • Page 7

Health

(NAPSi)-here’s an alert worth ness of diabetes, particularly when paying attention to: According to it is left undiagnosed and untreated. the American Diabetes Association the day is held on the fourth tuesday (ADA), learning your risk for type 2 of every March. diabetes could save your life. on that day, people are encourDiabetes is a serious disease that aged to take the Diabetes risk test, strikes nearly 21 million children either with paper and pencil or online. and adults in the U.S. it is named the risk test requires users to answer the “silent killer” because one-third seven simple questions about age, of those with the disease--more than 6 weight, lifestyle and family history-million--do not2005, knowbut they have it. all potential risksofactors for diabetes.

1991 through rose from women rose sharply.

For many, diagnosis may come People scoring 10 points more are 2005 to 2007. The new data indiSome speculated or that more seven to 10 years after the onset of at a high risk for type 2 diabetes and cate the spike has ended. sophisticated assisted reproductype 2 diabetes. early diagnosis is are encouraged to talk with a health Even so, women in their 40s tion services may be paying off for critical for successful treatment and care professional. still have babies far less often than older couples, or perhaps some can delay or prevent some of the An estimated 54 million Ameriyounger women. The rate was divorced women are choosing to complications such as heart diseases, cans have pre-diabetes. those with about 10 births 1,000stroke women additional children with blindness, kidneyper disease, and have pre-diabetes have blood glucose lev-a in their early 40s, and less then new partner later in life. amputation. els higher than normal but not high 1 per 1,000 women in their Thetonew CDC report that’s onefor reason the ADA holds enough be diagnosed with also type late 40s. the American Diabetes Alert® Day, showed 2 diabetes.that the percentage of The rate for women in their prematurely a bit, a one-day wake-up call to inform the babies earlyborn intervention via fell lifestyle late 20s was 115 per 1,000.

The from 12.7 percent to 12.3 percent, American public about the serious- changes such as weight loss and birth rate for teens was about 41 an improvement celebrated by per 1,000. some health advocates.

Meanwhile, the Pew ReFrom 1990 to 2006, the nation search Center also issued a report saw a 20 percent rise in the rate of Tuesday that found that several premature births — a worrisome states with the biggest declines in trend because preemies are more birth rates — like Arizona, Florida fragile. Experts believe premaand California — were among ture births are the main reason those that fared the worst by vari- the U.S. infant mortality rate is ous economic measures. higher than in most European Land Line (225) 356-0703 The organization also countries.

Cell Phone (225) 235-6955 pointed to a 2009 survey that The 2008 GSRASAC decline may be a E-mail: found 14Goodshepherdbapt@bellsouth. percent of people in sign of new efforts by doctors net Hours: 8amyears – 8 pm and mothers to bring births to full their primeMon-Thurs child-bearing said they had put off having a term and, when possible, to have child becauseGood of theShepherd recession.Substance one baby a time rather than AbuseatCenter Experts say the postponetriplets or other multiples.

Intensive Outpatient /twins, Inpatient Therapy ment theory may explain why Anger Multiple births generally have to For Drugs, Alcohol, Management younger women had lower birth be delivered preterm. rates the CDCDrive findings, butRev. Donald “Things are starting move 2873inMission Britton, MA,toLAC probably doesn’t explain the drop in the right direction,” said JenBaton Rouge, LA 70805 Clinical Director in(225) teen315-0740 births. It also doesn’t ex-Bishop niferHarris Howse, president of the Hayes, Overseer plain why the birth rate for older March of Dimes.

In Down Economy, Older Moms’ Births Still Up in US

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Study: Breast-Feeding Would Save Lives, Money S

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Free Cancer Screenings (225) 215-1234 • (888) 616-4687 If you have not been screened in the last 12 months, this cancer screening is available to you for free.

Insurance will be billed for mammograms. For those with no insurance, there will be no charge.

Screenings made possible by donor gifts.

*Breast Cancer Screening Tuesday, April 13 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

*Breast Cancer Screening Friday, April 16 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

LSU Mid City Clinic 1401 North Foster Drive Baton Rouge

Leo Butler Community Center 950 East Washington Baton Rouge

*Breast Cancer Screening Tuesday, April 20 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Appointment required

Prostate Cancer Screening Friday, April 30 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Womans Hospital Breast Center 9050 Airline Highway Baton Rouge

Greenwell Springs Road Regional Library 11300 Greenwell Springs Road Baton Rouge

In Partnership With:

YWCA Encore Plus Woman’s Hospital LSU Hospitals Health Care Services Division

*Tobacco education available to screening participants.

www.marybird.org

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Page 8 • The

Weekly Press • Thursday, April 1, 2010

Apple Fans Eagerly Touch and Swipe First iPads SEATTLE – Now that the iPad is in the hands of early adopters, the hard work for Apple Inc. begins.

Eager customers intent on being among the first owners of this new class of gadgetry stood in long lines across the country Saturday. They seemed willing to buy first — and discover uses for the iPad later.

In some ways, it was reminiscent of the lines and hoopla surrounding the 2007 launch of the first iPhone. The difference: People knew then that the iPhone would replace their existing cell phone, an appliance that has become a must-have for everyone from uber-geeks to stay-at-home moms.

With the iPad, which fits somewhere between phone and computer, Apple must convince people who already have smart phones, laptops, e-book readers, set-top boxes and home broadband connections that they need another device that serves many of the same purposes.

Many of the earliest iPad buyers say they will have a better idea of what they’ll use it for only after they’ve had it for a while.

That didn’t stop them from imagining, though.

Beth Goza has had iPhones and other smart phones, along with a MacBook Air laptop, yet she believes the iPad has a place in her digital lineup. She likened it to a professional tennis player owning different sneakers for grass, clay and concrete courts.

“At the end of the day, you can get by with one or the other,” she said outside an Apple store in Seattle’s University Village mall.

But she clearly doesn’t want to just “get by.” She’s already dreaming up specific uses for her iPad, such as knitting applications to help her keep track of her place in a complicated pattern.

Danita Shneidman, a woman in her 60s, wanted one to look at photos and videos of her first grandchild, born this week in Boston.

And then there’s Ray Majewski, who went to an Apple store in Freehold, N.J., with his 10-year-old daughter, Julia. The iPad is partly as a reward for her straight A’s in school, and partly a present for himself.

“I like the electronic books, and my daughter is really getting into them as well,” Majewski said. “I was thinking of getting a Kindle (e-book reader) but then said to myself, ‘Why not get an iPad because I can get so much more from that than just reading books?’”

The iPad is essentially a much larger version of Apple’s popular iPhone, without the calling capabilities. Just a halfinch thick, the device has a touch screen that measures 9.7 inches on the diagonal — nearly three times the iPhone’s. Also like the iPhone, it has no physical keyboard.

For now, Apple is selling iPads that only connect to the Internet using Wi-Fi. Those models start at $499. Versions that also have a cellular data connection will be available by the end of the month. They will cost $130 more, with the most expensive at $829.

In Apple stores in Seattle and on New York’s Fifth Avenue, the atmosphere was festive, with employees cheering and clapping as customers entered and left.

One kid arrived at a San Francisco store in a homemade iPad costume.

Some analysts had predicted the gadget would sell out on Saturday. Although there didn’t seem to be problems with supply at Apple stores, two Best Buy stores in the Washington, D.C., area didn’t have iPads in stock for sale when they opened.

People could also “preorder” iPads online to arrive Saturday. Prasad Thammineni did just that, but had to chase the UPS guy down the block from his office in Cambridge, Mass., to get his iPad. After playing with it for a few hours, his impressions were mostly positive. Typing on the on-screen keyboard wasn’t as comfortable as using a laptop with a regular keyboard, and Thammineni said he found himself using several fingers but not touch-typing normally. Still, he said, it was much easier to use than a Kindle keyboard.

But the weight of the device might keep him from typing on the go. Thammineni said that after about two minutes of holding up the device with one hand and typing with the other, it got too heavy,

even at a mere 1.5 pounds.

Once the initial iPad excitement settles, Apple may have

to work harder to persuade a broader swath of people to buy one. Many companies have tried

to sell tablet computers before, but none has caught on with mainstream consumers. And

Farrakhan: ‘Looking to the Wrong People to Fulfill Our Agenda’

while early adopters who preordered an iPad in recent weeks have gushed about all the ways they hope to use it, skeptics point to all the ways the iPad comes up short.

They argue the on-screen keyboard is hard to use and complain that it lacks a camera and ports for media storage cards and USB devices such as printers. They also bemoan the fact that the iPad can’t play Flash video, which means many Web sites with embedded video clips will look broken to Web surfers using Apple’s Safari browser. And the iPad can’t run more than one program at a time, which even fans hope will change one day soon.

College student Brett Meulmester stood in line at an Apple store in Arlington, Va., to try one out without buying one yet because of cost.

Lower prices could push

wider adoption, but when Apple slashed prices for the iPhone just months after its release, early buyers were irate. Tom Quinn, of Sea Girt, N.J., wasn’t worried about paying a premium for being one of the first to have an iPad. “When that happened with the iPhone, they gave out $100 credit,” he said. “If the same thing happens with the iPad, I’m sure they’ll do something similar.”

For others, cost was clearly not an issue — nor convenience, it seemed. Siggi Manz, a software developer who lives near Frankfurt, Germany, was spending just 20 hours in New York to snag one. Manz, who already carries Apple’s MacBook Pro and iPhone, said the iPad would be ideal for note-taking.

“Opening a laptop is sometimes impersonal because the monitor is between us, and the iPhone is too little to really honestly type,” Manz said.

Art

Southern Exposure Art Exhibition

By Richard B. Muhammad Special to the NNPA from the Final Call CHICAGO (NNPA) Speaking candidly at the “We Count! The Black Agenda is the American Agenda” forum hosted by Tavis Smiley at Chicago State University, Minister Louis Farrakhan warned against simply appealing to and expecting the American government—even an administration led by a well intentioned Black man—to solve Black problems.

The subject of the day was whether President Barack Obama ought to be presented with a Black agenda and the Black scholars and heads of institutions and organizations agreed that an agenda was needed and appropriate, but Minister Farrakhan offered definition and wise counsel: “An agenda is a program, a schedule, a timetable, a plan, a scheme to accomplish a certain result. We have come up with Black agendas, but we’ve been looking to the wrong people to fulfill our agenda,” he said as the packed crowd at the Emil and Patricia A. Jones Convocation Center exploded into applause.

The cry of jobs and justice has been longstanding and unanswered, the Minister noted.

“How long are you going to sit around begging White people to do for us what we have the power to do for ourselves,” he thundered as the audience roared its approval March 20 and as other panelists stood and clapped. “Our brother (President Obama) is brilliant. He has a good heart.

I think he really loves America and wants to make America better. … He has the heart to want to make America better, but he’s like that camel in the Qur’an that God warned the people: Don’t hamstring his camel. They didn’t care what God wanted, they hamstrung the camel. They didn’t care what God wanted!”

President Obama has faced blistering attacks from the White right, recalcitrant and often caustic attacks from Republicans, lukewarm support from fellow Democrats, intense media scrutiny and death threats since taking office a little over a year ago.

The Minister spoke passionately and his remarks were often interrupted by the audience when he spoke at the spirited gathering. The panel, which sat at a table with a cube labeled “love,” included the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Bennett College President Julianne Malveaux, radio host Dorothy Tillman, political scientist Ron Walters, academics Michael Eric Dyson, Cornel West, and Michael Fauntroy, ad company founder Tom Burrelle, Angela GloverBlackwell of PolicyLink and Raven Curling, Chicago State student government associa-

Minister Louis Farrakhan warned against simply appealing to and expecting the American government—even an administration led by a well intentioned Black man—to solve Black problems.

tion president.

Running for office and making promises and dealing with the forces that surround power, “the real power,” are two different things, the Minister said. “Barack Obama does not run this country.

President Obama has been chosen to govern White affairs and if in that process we get something, it won’t be because the governing powers want it, it will be because we organize and force a government to speak to our needs,” he continued. Applause and cheers came again from the audience and fellow panelists.

The Minister expressed pride in seeing a Black man in the White House but stressed America is under divine chastisement and falling fast.

Obama was selected before his election, Farrakhan said.

“The people that chose him know the time, that we are living at the end of America’s rule as a great power in the world. Now you have to face it—she’s bankrupt. What are going to do when the dollar is worth nothing? They are printing money out of thin air to back these programs.

So my brother may be disappointing some that thought he would be what maybe he has the nerve not to be.”

The severe weather and loss of friendship are signs of America’s fall, he said.

Earlier in the conversation the Minister shared how he had not spoken to keep his words from being used against Obama during the presidential campaign twoyears-ago.

“We love our brother and even if we have some disappointment, because our conversation is around that word

love, love our brother even if we have some disappointment, or some dissatisfaction.

I was always hoping that what was said would be without vitriol, because vitriol poisons communication. Nobody at this table spoke with vitriol, but with passion,” the Minister said.

Since 97 percent of Blacks voted for President Obama, we have a right to expect something from him, Min. Farrakhan said. But there are problems, such as racist America between government stimulus program and money coming to Black neighborhoods, he continued. But the president has a responsibility speak out and if he “does not use his bully pulpit to address that, we can fault him for that,” the Minister said.

He also warned those opposed to President Obama to do him no physical harm.

Mr. Obama should listen to healthy criticism and the media must not try to use the dialog to foment an assassination attempt, Min. Farrakhan said.

“No president runs the political system; no president runs the economic system, no president. He may be able to influence it here and there but they don’t run it,” observed Dr. Ron Walters, from the University of Maryland and former deputy campaign manager during the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s 1984 White House run.

Agendas are more than issues, said Dr. Walters.

Agendas include issues and also represent organizing principles and allow you to use those principles to flex power, he argued. “You can’t use your power effectively if you don’t have a direction to go,” he said.

LAFAYETTE, LA - The Black Heritage Art Gallery at 809 Kirby Street in Lake Charles, Louisiana will host Southern Exposure, an exhibition featuring works of art

by Southern University Students and Recent Graduates from March 9 through May 28, 2010.

The Exhibition was curated by Randell Henry, Southern University Professor of Art and Curator who was recognized recently by Peter Falk, one of the country’s leading experts on American Art after Falk acquired 12 collages by Henry that he discovered at an art dealer in Connecticut. Faulk who has worked on high-profile litigation cases involving the paintings of Monet, Picasso, Warhol and others wrote on Henry and put the works on exhibition last November in a gallery in downtown Madison, Connecticut.

Featured in the Lake Charles exhibition are fourteen artists,

each with a unique creative vision that can make a good impact in the world of art. Included in the exhibition are graduating seniors, Ebone Etienne, Shenell Johnson, Shontrell Johnson, Brittany Pierre and Jazzlyn Whitfield. Also showing works are April Baham, Terrell Evans, Heather Holliday, Christopher Russell and Ethan Tran, a student who was born in Vietnam. Another student showing works is Taufeeq Muhammad, an art and architecture major whose works were acquired by the Waldorf Astoria for their newly renovated Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans after an exhibition that Henry curated last spring for Stella Jones Gallery, a major gallery for famous African American artists.

Also includes in this exhibition are works by Jonovan Devold, Wendell Dillon, and Renee Smith, all recent graduates of Southern University.

Community Improvement Plan Update: Scotlandville Gateway

By Rachel LeCompte Three weeks after more than 50 Scotlandville area residents gathered at the East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority’s Community Improvement Plan Visioning workshop to express their hopes and desires for the future of their neighborhood, initial results show that the community shares common ideas about both the positive aspects and challenges of their area.

“There was definitely some consensus among community members,” said Dana Brown, a local landscape architect. “We had a lot of good and varying feedback regarding the assets and challenges of the Scotlandville Gateway community, but there were major themes identified that we can use to guide us as we begin the planning process.”

Brown and her consultant team, led by Phillips-Davis Legacy of New York and Brown+Danos landdesign of Baton Rouge, are working on five Community Improvement Plans, or CIPs, in the North Baton Rouge area which are to be completed in a one-year period. These CIPs are the undertaking of the East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority (RDA); a quasigovernmental entity whose mission is to improve the quality of life for East Baton Rouge citizens through economic development and eradication of blight.

While Scotlandville Gateway is the first area to be studied, the RDA is also working on improvement plans in the Zion

City & Glen Oaks area, Northdale, the business corridor along a portion of Choctaw Drive, and Melrose East.

Upcoming Workshops Scotlandville Gateway Alternatives & Implementation Workshop Saturday, May 15 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

North Baton Rouge Community Center 2013 Central Road Choctaw Corridor Visioning Workshop Tuesday, May 18 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Location TBA Northdale Visioning Workshop Thursday, May 20 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Community School for Apprenticeship Learning 1555 Madison Avenue Zion City & Glen Oaks Alternatives & Implementation Workshop Saturday, May 22 9:00 a.m.

– 12:30 p.m. Glen Oaks Middle School 5300 Monarch Avenue “We understand that each area has its own unique challenges and characteristics,” explains Susannah Bing, Project Manager at the RDA. “We were thrilled with the quality of participation and input we received from the Scotlandville Gateway community.” Scotlandville Gateway is bordered by Scenic Highway, Scotland Avenue and Central Road, including neighborhoods running between Scenic and Kingfisher Avenue. With its close proximity to Southern University and the intersection of several major thoroughfares, this area is considered a “gateway” to Scotlandville. Residents who attended the March 16th visioning workshop were asked to list what they believe are assets to their community, as well as challenges it faces.