The Weekly Press Week of 06 03 2010

baton

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2010

rouge,

louisiana

Vol. 35 • No. 05

a people’s publication

Miss Louisiana Contestants Celebrate Gary Coleman Dead at 42 Press Day at the Louisiana State Capitol BOX The

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Day at the State Capitol Baton Rouge — Over 200 members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., from across Louisiana will emerge at the Louisiana State Capitol on Tuesday, June 8th, 2010 at 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for AKA Day. The day will begin with sorority members visiting committee meetings and political forums. The political forums will be hosted by Louisiana State Senators and Representatives who will discuss how Alpha Kappa Alpha can be more effective in the political arena. The forums will take place at the Ellender Room in the Louisiana State Capitol and the Welcome Center.

The day will conclude with a luncheon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, where the keynote speaker will be Attorney Stephanie Finley. She is nominated to be U.S. Attorney for the See AKA, on page 2

Senate Committee Backs WelFare Drug Testing BATON ROUGE - A bill requiring drug testing of welfare recipients heads toward final legislative passage after narrowly winning approval in a Senate committee.

Members of a Senate judiciary committee voted 4-3 Wednesday to advance Metairie Republican Rep. John LaBruzzo’s bill to the full Senate for debate, after opponents tried several attempts to kill the measure. It already has been approved by the House.

The proposal would require 20 percent of people who receive cash assistance See testing, on page 2

Gary Coleman

Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspapers

Contestants vying for the titles of Miss Louisiana and Miss Louisiana’s Outstanding Teen attended “Miss Louisiana Day at the State Capitol” in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

BATON ROUGE, LA - Over thirty contestants vying for the titles of Miss Louisiana and Miss Louisiana’s Outstanding Teen attended “Miss Louisiana Day at the State Capitol” in Baton Rouge, Louisiana Wednesday, May 26, 2010. The day was designed to celebrate and educate contestants on Louisiana’s rich culture and history.

Miss Louisiana 2009, Katherine Putnam and Miss Louisiana’s Outstanding Teen, Kelly Bernard also attended.

The event was organized by Visit Baton Rouge, the Baton Rouge Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Contestants toured the Louisiana Old State Capitol, Louisiana State Museum- Baton Rouge and the Louisiana State Capitol. The day ended with a presentation and proclamation

recognizing the Miss Louisiana Organization by the Louisiana State Senate. “Miss Louisiana Day was truly exciting and a great way to mingle with the contestants before our stressful competition week!” Jenny Russell, Miss Louisiana Tech, said. “The event allowed us to have a better understanding of Louisiana and what happens outside of our town/city. I hope Miss Louisiana Day becomes a yearly event.”

“I felt so much pride touring the Old State Capitol and learning about the history of my state while educating the public on an organization that provides millions of dollars in scholarships to women,” Liz Dunn, Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival, said. Dunn described the Louisiana State Museum as a great place to

experience all parts of Louisiana, from North to South, from history to culture, and from serious to fun.

Miss Louisiana 2009 and 3 rd runner up to Miss America, Katherine Putnam will crown her successor before a statewide television and web broadcast audience on June 26, 2010 at the Monroe Civic Center in Monroe, Louisiana. Check local listings and visit www. misslouisiana.org for more information.

The Miss Louisiana Organization is the largest scholarship provider to young women in the state. In 2010, more than 1.2 million dollars in scholarship (cash and in-kind) will be awarded contestants in the Miss Louisiana and Miss Louisiana’s Outstanding Teen pageant.

( N N PA ) - F o r m e r “Diff’rent Strokes” star Gary Coleman, died May 28 after suffering an intracranial hemorrhage. He was 42.

According to multiple news sources, Coleman was hospitalized Wednesday, May 26, after injuring his head in a

fall at his home near Salt Lake City. The fall resulted in a brain hemorrhage, but his family said he was conscious and lucid until midday Thursday.

He then slipped into unconsciousness and was placed on life support, which was terminated on the afternoon of Friday, May 28.

See Coleman, on page 2

New Study Gives N.O. School System Post-Katrina a Failing Grade Special to the NNPA from the Louisiana Weekly NEW ORLEANS (NNPA) - After Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of the public school infrastructure in New Orleans, Louisiana embarked on a massive effort to rebuild the entire New Orleans public school system, launching the nation’s most extensive charter school experiment. The goal was to provide a quality education to all New Orleans students, regardless of race, socioeconomic class, or where they live.

The University of Minnesota Law School’s Institute

on Race and Poverty (IRP) evaluated the success of the rebuilding efforts in a new study—”The State of Public Schools In Post-Katrina New Orleans: The Challenge of Creating Equal Opportunity”— which found that the rebuilt public school system fails to adequately provide equal educational opportunity to all New Orleans students.

The study finds that the state-driven reorganization has created a “separate but unequal tiered system of schools” which sorts white students and a relatively small share See grade, on page 4

The 15th Annual Scholarship and Awards Gala was Held at Southern University

By Todd Sterling

On April 17, 2010, the Louis A. Martinet Legal Foundation Celebrated its 15th Annual Scholarship & Awards Gala.

Over 250 guest were in attendance to witness Kaila Simmons, Freddie Ward, Nelson Allen, Jr., Melody Udoinyion, Jihyun Choi and Eronn A. Putman receive scholarships sponsored by the Martinet Legal Society.

In addition, Associate Vice-Chancellor Russell Jones received the Community Service Award. Alejandro Perkins

NATIONAL/state & Community watch

(President), Eboni Townsend (1st Vice President), Christopher Hebert (2nd Vice President), Michael Tyler (Treasurer) and Leticia Jackson-Mabry (SecSee awards, on page 2

Retired Judge Freddie Pitcher, Retired Judge Curtis Calloway, Judge John Guidry, Judge Kelli Temple, Judge Lisa White, Judge Trudy White, Judge Bonnie Jackson, Judge Ralph Tyson, Retired Judge Luke Lavergne, General Russell Honore, Judge Wilson Fields and Alejandro “Al” Perkins (President of the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society).

Local & State News

Business NEWS

health News

religion news

Have you ever been in love and all of a sudden the relationship ended, then perhaps you were left with questions running through your mind and you felt disconnected trying to figure out what happened....See Page 6

INDEX

Test Scores Show Improvement Project Excel Mentees presents its culminating program Project Excel, the flagshipmentoring program of the 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge, recognized its 2009-2010 middle and high school mentees at a culminating activity held at Living Faith Christian Center.....Page 2

Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) officials announced a second straight year of growth in the percentage of students scoring Basic and above for all grades and subjects tested on the state’s LEAP, GEE and iLEAP assessme...See Page 4

Pre-apply for Disaster Food

With the 2010 Hurricane Season just days away, Louisiana Department of Social Services Secretary encouraged residents to pre-apply online for Disaster Food Stamps in preparation for hurricanes and other disaster...

See Page 5

a cancer story

In honor of African American women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, three time author, and community activist, Zekita delivers an insightful and inspiring book titled ‘One Breast, Two Breasts: Surviving Breast Cancer’...See Page 7

Local & State............................2 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 35 Years Of Service To The Baton Rouge Community 225.775.2002

Page 2 • The

Weekly Press • Thursday, June 3, 2010

Local&State

The 100’s Project Excel Program Presents Youth During its Culminating Program

PrjectExcelCulActivity_2010.JPG: The 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge presents its Project Excel Mentees during its culminating program. – Photo by Christopher J. Rogers

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BATON ROUGE, LA - Project Excel Mentees presents its culminating program Project Excel, the flagship-mentoring program of the 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge, recognized its 2009-2010 middle and high school mentees at a culminating activity held at Living Faith Christian Center.

Mr. LeRoy Spurlock, former mentee, served s the master of ceremony. Ontariel LaMark and Joshua Augustus provided the mediation and greetings, respectively. Another former mentee, Mr. Michael Jones, was the guest speaker. Jones encouraged the mentees to take advantage of every opportunity to participate and serve in programs such as Project Excel.

These programs provide skills and experiences needed to be

successful in life.

Mentees performed narrations, musical selections, and presented projects highlights.

Larry Mencer- Aclise captivated the audience with the reading of the inaugural speech

by Louisiana’s first Black Lt. Governor, Oscar James Dunn.

The audience was entertained with a musical selection by Charles Hall. Isaiah Harbor, Rashsaan Parker, and Dominic Courtney provides project highlights.

Other mentee participants included Marcus Anderson, Jontell Badon, Chauncy Benton, Deldrick Canty, Joshua Courtney, William Daniels, Zachariah Dorsey, Amos Garrett, Karols Ghoram, Eric Green, Charles Hall, Matthew Harbor, Willie Jackson, Jr., Jayvon Johnson, Michael Jones, Jr., Bryant Kinison, Keon Lendo,

Coleman from page 1 seeking an autograph while he was working as a security guard.

In 2007, he was cited for disorderly conduct after a domestic dispute with his wife, Shannon Price. In 2009, another domestic dispute led to Price’s arrest.

The couple’s issues led them to appear on the syndicated reality television show, “Divorce Court” in May 2008 where, according to ABC News, Coleman said, “I don’t have any friends and don’t have any intention of making any. People will stab you in the back, mistreat you, talk about me behind your back, and steal from you. And they’re not

Email your Business Articles to

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BEEN HURT IN A CAR WRECK? x

Chit Chat

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Give honor where honor is due.

St. Paul MEMORIAL DAY HEROES: Much respect, love, and admiration goes to the men and women in our military uniforms. The community is so very proud of you and the service you are willing to perform in times of peace and Marge in times of war, such as now. Thanks and love Lawrence to you and your families. We do not know all the names but I want to salute Melvin Joseph Brown and Lloyd Nolan Brown, both formerly of Donaldsonville, and my dear brothers. The latter served in the Vietnam War, while the other during peace time. Thank you so very much. We know how much sacrifice it was for you, but you did serve your country.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

DID YOU KNOW? There is a new performing institute at the Louisiana Leadership Institute? It is called the Debbie Allen School (yes, that’s right) of Performing Arts. From jazz and ballet to hip hop and cheerleading, boys and girls ages three to eighteen are signing up for the exciting after school program. Classes are Monday thru Thursday at 5:30 p.m. with private lessons on Friday at 5763 Hooper Road.

CONGRATULATIONS to the new state legislator Dalton Honore. The retired businessman garnered 67% of the vote over his opponent Metro Councilman Ulysses “Bones” Addison. According to complete but unofficial returns from the Secretary of State’s Office Honore collected 1,631 votes while Addison garnered 816. Thanks to both men who serve their community.

PROFESSOR CHERYL TAYLOR has received a signature honor.

She is on the staff at SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING. She won a national award for focusing her research efforts on helping to fight diabetes, cancer, obesity, and other problems facing minorities. Congratulations, Professor Taylor.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TEACHERS OF THE YEAR! All over the area the winners are being named. Thanks to you for lots hard work and dedication. Wishing you all the best in the regional finals and in the state competition. You represent the BEST of our profession and for this we are so very proud!

CONTINUE TO PRAY for the workers of British Petroleum (BP) who are trying to contain the oil leak in the Gulf. If the community would come together and seek God, including the workers who are disappointing us and themselves, things would change for the better. Scratching heads and blaming President Obama is not the answer, for the problem still exists. There is a great need for prayer, if only the workers would try it!!!

IT’S LSU TO THE NATIONAL REGIONAL! Congratulations to the Tigers and their many fans. They won the SEC championship and were the underdog, but they had a desire to win. It’s all in the desire to get it done. In eleven innings the Tigers defeated Alabama 4-3. Go, tigers.

THE SOUTH WEST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SWAC) will be represented by Grambling State University. This college baseball team defeated Alcorn State in the championship game 15-2 on Sunday afternoon and earned an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament.

It is their ninth championship and their first in 25 seasons (would you believe?). Congratulations to our state rivals.

WITH LOVE AND SYMPATHY to the Anderson Family. Our hearts ache and we send our love.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Cyrus Leroy Hooper, Jr., and, in loving memory on her birthday, Mrs. Elizabeth Perry.

Have a very blessed and super weekend. Enjoy the refreshing rain.

Marge

Love,

“Diff’rent Strokes,” which aired from 1978-1986, was widely popular and Coleman became famous for his trademark phrase “What you talking ‘bout Willis?”

However, since the show left the airwaves, Coleman struggled to gain any type of normalcy.

Edmonia Sue and W.G. Coleman adopted Coleman, according to USA Today, who Coleman claimed never really cared about him at all. He successfully sued them in 1989 for misappropriation of his trust fund and was awarded $1.3 million.

In 1998, he was charged with assault after hitting a woman

Fax: (225) 775-4216 E-Mail theweeklypress@yahoo.com

“Not an authentic wreck scene.”

Jalen Lewis, Cohner McQuirter, Adrian Minor, Courtney Mitchell, Brandon Mitchell, Dillon Morrison, Feran Nixon, Derrick Parker, Nolen Riley, Jr., Johnathan Triplet, Jacoby Walker, Daniel White, Kerrone Williams, and Craig Young.

Project Excel Committee members are Bernell Boudreaux, Chairman, Fred Sibley, Marcus Lewis, Robert Brown, Terrance Cain, Jesse Spland, Roy Carter, and Herman Johnson. Doris Gray Brown, chair of the Ladies of the 100 coordinated the program.

One Hundred Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge, LTD. is a non-profit organization through which AfricanAmerican males step forward and assume roles of community leadership, responsibility, and guidance. Adell Brown, Jr. is the current president.

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really your friends. [They’re] only there because you’re a celebrity or because they want to get something from you.”

Since his passing, many celebrities have chimed in on Coleman’s passing.

Omar Epps, from the Fox series “House,” wrote on Twitter, “RIP Gary Coleman You’re forever a part of my childhood! Godspeed!” Former “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul wrote on Twitter, “I am so sorry to hear the sad news about Gary Coleman. my heartfelt condolences go out to his entire family.”

AKA from page 1 Western District of Louisiana.

She has been an assistant U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Louisiana since October 1995.

Each year, the local chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated converge on the State Capitol dressed in their pink and green. Alpha Kappa Alpha presence responds to the contemporary need of the community, members are educated about the state legislative process and encouraged to inform legislators of issues that affect their communities. The day is a component of the sorority’s National Connection Committee, which also focuses on developing women as viable candidates for public office, educating the community about voter registration and education programs, and engaging communities to become more involved in the political process. It is also a non-partisan opportunity for members to meet elected and appointed officials to discuss concerns that have direct impact on their respective communities.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is America’s first GreekSee AKA, on page 4

The Way I See It

The Black White Gap in Education has today upon us as Black Americans.

As I look into the I am not saying crystal ball, I can see in that we are not smart the near future where people. We are smart more and more Black people. You have only students will not have to look at the different the opportunity to go areas that we have on to an institution of caused to be opened to higher learning. The us to see the progress way that some of our we have made over the William so called Black univeryears.

Jones sity (especially Southern This have come University) is being adeven with the huddlers ministrated is not helping us at such as low financial conditions; all. Self interest should be on the lack of opportunities and lack of back burner for each and every attentions needed. Now this is individual serving in high posi- where mostly Black institutions tions in all predominately Black come in. institutions.

These institutions should While I am well sold on the continue being given the opporidea that all students completing tunity to serve and with the abilihigh school are not college mate- ties to do remedial education to rial; however, I have not seen as quickly bring students up to their yet the underlying factors that a collegiate potential. Money - so student do not have the ability what? Unless this happen the to compete on a college level. students that have the potential Now, when it come to Blacks in will lose out. They will not be the area of education it all goes able to go to the Harvard’s and back to the U.S. House of Rep- Yale’s as such. The increase in resentative Bill number HR40. cost is not helping raising the abilWhich is presented the first day ity level to enter will not help. of the new Congress’ session by We are not on the equal playing the Honorable John Conyers. We field level. will not see the effect that slavery That Is The Way See It.

By William Jones

Testing from page 1 from the state to be subject to random drug testing. Those testing positive would have to enter a treatment program or lose their benefits.

The controversial proposal generated tearful testimony from

former addicts who say they wish they had received help sooner.

Critics say the testing would be unconstitutional.

LaBruzzo proposed a similar bill last year that failed in the House.

Awards from page 1 retary) were sworn into office by the Honorable Judge Wilson

Fields. Eboni Townsend served as the Chairperson of Gala.

Thursday, June 3, 2010 • The Weekly Press • Page 3

BP has taken full responsibility for cleaning up the spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

We Will Make This Right.

Stopping the leak will be a major step, but only a start. We know that our responsibility goes much further.

Our commitment to the environment.

Our job now is to prevent as much environmental damage caused by this spill as we can. Over 1,100 boats, including local fishing fleets, are collecting the oil by skimming and other methods. More than two million feet of boom are in place to protect the shoreline. Where oil has reached the shore, we are cleaning it up.

Our commitment to the people of the Gulf.

This spill and the hardships endured by Gulf families and businesses never should have happened. The region is home to thousands of BP employees, so we also feel the impact.

We have been paying all legitimate claims for economic loss and will continue to do so. We will not be limited by a spending cap. We have 18 claims offices in operation across the Gulf. More than 9,000 claims have been paid, including millions of dollars to thousands of fishermen.

We’ve provided $170 million to support the response and tourism in the region. And our efforts will not come at any cost to taxpayers.

Our commitment to you.

Whether you’ve been affected personally or you are following this from a distance, we understand that our responsibility includes keeping you informed. You expect us to make this right. We will.

For the most current information, please visit the following BP and joint U.S. Government/BP websites: www.bp.com www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com For assistance or information, please call the following 24/7 hotlines: To report oil on the shoreline: (866) 448-5816 To report impacted wildlife: (866) 557-1401

To make spill-related claims: (800) 440-0858

www.louisianagulfresponse.com

Page 4 • The

Weekly Press • Thursday, June 3, 2010

2010 Test Scores Show Continued Improvement in High Schools BATON ROUGE, LA - Following historic gains in 2009, today Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) officials announced a second straight year of growth in the percentage of students scoring Basic and above for all grades and subjects tested on the state’s LEAP, GEE and iLEAP assessments. While this year’s increase of one percentage point -- from 64 percent in 2009 to 65 percent in 2010 -- is modest compared to last year’s four point boost, the successive 2009 and 2010 gains are notable considering that for the three previous years the measurement of student achievement grew in total by only one percentage point, from 59 percent in 2006, to 60 percent in 2007 and 2008.

“From a historical context, the gains we made in the last two years represent real progress for our students in Louisiana. It is a tribute to the hard work of our educators, policy makers and

leaders,” State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek said.

“Our districts and schools didn’t let up, and the steady gains posted this year are evidence of their effort and success. In particular, the results for our high schools are very promising. There are clearly some areas where we did not grow or we fell back. We’re already studying these with the aim of providing targeted improvement where it is needed. Clearly, we must have better results, but the overall improvements we’re seeing in our test scores this year underscore Louisiana’s continuous progress and reaffirm our direction.”

Board of Elementary and Secondary Education President Keith Guice said he is also encouraged by the results released today.

“Overall, today’s report is positive news, and I want to thank our students, teachers and the education community

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as a whole for their hard work,” Guice said. “As we continue to improve, the bar is continually being raised. But I’m so proud of the success and determination of our school communities.”

Each year, students in 4th and 8th grade participate in the high stakes LEAP test, which determines whether they will be required to attend summer school or be retained. Students in 3th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 9th grades take the state’s iLEAP test, which is designed to measure student progress but does not determine whether they will be retained in their current grade. High school students in 10th and 11th grades

year to this year.

Even more notable, however, are the increases in the percentage of 10th graders performing at the highest levels of Mastery or Advanced. In math, there was a five point gain (from 25 to 30 percent); and in ELA, there was a four-point gain (from 13 to 17 percent). This means nearly one out of every three of Louisiana’s 10th graders is performing at the highest achievement levels for math, while one in five of our 10th graders is at the highest levels for ELA. In fact, in three of the four subjects tested, ELA, mathematics and social studies, the percentage of

students earning Advanced or Mastery grew from 2009-2010.

The 2010 outcomes for the state’s 4th and 8th grade LEAP tests are more varied. The number of 4th graders earning Basic and above in math increased by 4 percentage points, from 65 to 69 percent. And the percentage of 8th grade students earning Basic and above in math held steady at 59 percent from last year to this year. However, student performance on the ELA portion of LEAP declined; the percentage of 4th grade students at Basic and above dropped by four points,

charters). The report shows that school performance varies significantly across five sectors, and not so much by charter versus traditional schools, because schools in each sector have different abilities to select their students.

The report criticizes the single-strategy approach that exclusively relies on the expansion of the charter sector, recommending instead a multi-pronged strategy which expands school choice on a regional basis. It calls for a more balanced, regional approach to public education, including a renewed commitment to the city’s traditional public schools and enhanced choices for students in the form of regional magnet schools and new inter-district programs.

The study was commissioned by the Loyola Institute for Quality and Equity in Education in New Orleans. A copy of the report’s executive summary can be found on the Institute’s Web site, at www.irpumn.org.

The University of Minnesota Law School’s Institute on Race & Poverty (IRP) investigates ways that policies and practices disproportionately affect people of color and the disadvantaged. The IRP works to ensure that people have equal access to opportunity, and to help areas to develop in ways that will promote access to opportunity and maintain re-

gional stability. Visit the Institute’s Web site, at http://www. irpumn.org.

The study finds that the statedriven reorganization has created a “separate but unequal tiered system of schools” which sorts white students and a relatively small share of students of color into selective, high-performing schools, while steering the majority of low-income students of color to high-poverty, lowperforming schools.

The study also finds racial and economic segregation in the city and metropolitan area to be a continuing concern, still undermining the life chances and educational opportunities of low-income students and students of color. It documents that school choice in the form of charter schools does not by itself empower students of color to escape the negative consequences of segregation, especially when it leads them to racially-segregated, high-poverty, low-performing schools.

The IRP report details how the growing charter sector in New Orleans has undermined equality of opportunity in the city’s schools by directly selecting their students (through selective admission requirements in the case of Orleans Parish School Board- and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education-run

charter sectors) and by skimming the most motivated students (through their enrollment strategies, discipline and expulsion practices, transportation policies, location decisions, and marketing and recruitment efforts in the case of Recovery School District-run charters). The report shows that school performance varies significantly across five sectors, and not so much by charter versus traditional schools, because schools in each sector have different abilities to select their students.

The report criticizes the single-strategy approach that exclusively relies on the expansion of the charter sector, recommending instead a multi-pronged strategy which expands school choice on a regional basis. It calls for a more balanced, regional approach to public education, including a renewed commitment to the city’s traditional public schools and enhanced choices for students in the form of regional magnet schools and new inter-district programs.

The study was commissioned by the Loyola Institute for Quality and Equity in Education in New Orleans. A copy of the report’s executive summary can be found on the Institute’s Web site, at www.irpumn.org.

The University of Minnesota Law School’s Institute on Race & Poverty (IRP) investigates ways that policies and practices disproportionately affect people of color and the disadvantaged. The IRP works to ensure that people have equal access to opportunity, and to help areas to develop in ways that will promote access to opportunity and maintain regional stability. Visit the Institute’s Web site, at http://www. irpumn.org.

See scores, on page 5

Grade from page 1 of students of color into selective, high-performing schools, while steering the majority of low-income students of color to high-poverty, low-performing schools.

The study also finds racial and economic segregation in the city and metropolitan area to be a continuing concern, still undermining the life chances and educational opportunities of low-income students and students of color. It documents that school choice in the form of charter schools does not by itself empower students of color to escape the negative consequences of segregation, especially when it leads them to racially-segregated, high-poverty, low-performing schools.

The IRP report details how the growing charter sector in New Orleans has undermined equality of opportunity in the city’s schools by directly selecting their students (through selective admission requirements in the case of Orleans Parish School Board- and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education-run charter sectors) and by skimming the most motivated students (through their enrollment strategies, discipline and expulsion practices, transportation policies, location decisions, and marketing and recruitment efforts in the case of Recovery School District-run

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take Louisiana’s Graduate Exit Examination, or GEE, which they must pass at some point in their high school career to earn a standard diploma.

An analysis of the GEE results indicates a strong showing by 10th and 11th graders.

The number of 10th grade students scoring Basic and above in English Language Arts (ELA) improved by three percentage points, from 62 to 65 percent.

And while this measurement remained constant for math and science, the number of 11th grade students earning Basic and above in social studies grew by five percentage points from last

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AKA from page 2 letter organization founded in 1908 by, and for, African-American college women. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, it is one of the world’s leading service organizations. The Sorority’s members have made a commitment “to serve all mankind” through a nucleus of more than 225,000 women in over 975 chapters in the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, Germany, Korea, Japan and in the continent of Africa.

Barbara A. McKinzie is the 27th International President. McKinzie’s administration is marked by the theme: ESP, which stands for Economics, Service and Partnerships.

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Residents Encouraged to Pre-apply for Disaster Food Stamps to Prepare for Hurricane Season and Other Disasters BATON ROUGE - With the 2010 Hurricane Season just days away, Louisiana Department of Social Services Secretary Kristy Nichols encouraged residents to pre-apply online for Disaster Food Stamps in preparation for hurricanes and other disasters like the oil spill currently in the Gulf of Mexico.

“With Hurricane Season right around the corner and an oil spill in the Gulf, I urge all residents, especially those living in our coastal parishes, to take advantage of our online pre-application process for Disaster Food Stamps,” said Nichols. “By completing the pre-application online, residents are taking a proactive step to prepare themselves and their families for a disaster.”

Disaster Food Stamps provide food assistance for eligible low- to moderate-income households not receiving regular food stamps who need help buying groceries due to lost income or

damages following a disaster.

Pre-applying for Disaster Food Stamps does not guarantee benefits.

Nichols said that the preapplication process is designed to save time, prevent long waits and to make it easier for applicants to collect the required income information before a disaster strikes.

“I hope all residents will make pre-applying online for Disaster Food Stamps part of their hurricane preparedness game plan,” said Nichols.

To apply, residents can visit www.dss.louisiana.gov or www. getagameplan.org and provide the following information: • Names, Social Security Numbers and Dates of Birth for each household member • Current address and parish of household • Monthly income for each household member • All liquid resources for

each household member (cash on hand, checking, savings and money market account balances and certificates of deposit) The information will be kept securely on file and will be confidential.

Residents without Internet access may call 1-888-LA HELP U (1-888-524-3578) to pre-apply.

Pre-applying does not guarantee benefits. After a disaster is declared, residents who have pre-applied only need to visit a Disaster Food Stamps issuance site to verify their information and identity, determine final eligibility and receive their benefit cards. Exact eligibility requirements and Disaster Food Stamp issuance sites will be announced only after a disaster is declared.

Louisiana’s federally approved system is the first yearround Disaster Food Stamps pre-application process in the nation.

Business Directory S. W. Maintenance

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Major Retailers Agree to Limit Lead in Kandbags OAKLAND, Calif. – More than 40 major retailers and apparel makers have agreed to limit the use of lead in handbags and other fashion accessories, an environmental group said Wednesday.

The companies will set new industry standards for lead use in their products as part of a $1.7 million legal settlement filed Tuesday in Alameda County Superior Court.

The agreement settles a lawsuit filed against the companies last year by the Oaklandbased Center for Environmental Health.

The environmental advocacy group found high levels of lead when it tested dozens of vinyl and faux leather women’s handbags, purses and wallets it bought at major retail outlets in the San Francisco Bay area.

Michael Green, the center’s executive director, said he hopes other companies that make, import or sell fashion accessories

will follow the health standards spelled out in the legal agreement.

The settlement means “millions of women no longer need to fear that their purse may pose a threat to their health or the health of their children,” Green said.

The retailers that signed the settlement include Macy’s, Target, Kohl’s, JC Penney, Guess, Sears, Kmart, Saks and Victoria’s Secret.

Jeffrey Margulies, who represents seven retailers in the case, said his clients agreed to the settlement to avoid costly, time-consuming litigation.

The retailers do not believe the lead levels in their products were dangerous to consumers, but “if customers are concerned about lead in products, this settlement should remove any concern about that,” Margulies said.

Other companies can join the settlement by agreeing to comply with its content standards, which would protect them from

future litigation involving their products’ lead levels.

The $1.7 million settlement will include payments to California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment and the Center for Environmental Health. The center said it will use the money to pay for legal expenses, monitor compliance with the agreement and fund its environmental protection work.

Lead exposure has been linked to a variety of health problems including higher infertility rates for women and increased risk for stroke, high blood pressure and heart attacks. Young children and pregnant women are particularly at risk

Scores from page 4 from 72 in 2009 to 68 percent in 2010, while the percentage of 8th grade students at Basic and above fell by one percentage point.

State education leaders say the fluctuation in ELA scores reinforces the need to focus resources on statewide literacy initiatives. As a case in point,

they point to GEE results over the last two years and Louisiana’s High School Redesign initiative, which was launched in 2005. Collectively over the last two years, student proficiency rates for GEE grew by 7 points in ELA, 8 points in math, 5 points in science and 5 points in social studies.

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Page 6 • The

Weekly Press • Thursday, June 3, 2010

Religion

And the Two Became One Flesh: Part VII of the Marriage and Relationships Series

By Donald Lee

Bishop T.D. Jakes, founder and senior pastor of The Potter’s House in Dallas, often says something that is so true, yet is weird.

“Christians act like sex is the one dirty thing God lets us do, and He really doesn’t approve of it, and (He) sort of turns His head and says, ‘Alright, go ‘head.’ ” The reason I say that it’s weird that many Christians (and probably most Christians) have that view of sex as it relates to marriage is because, oddly enough, many of the saints — before they got married — enjoyed sex before they got hitched (some before they got saved, and others while they were saved, believe it or not), and was often uninhibited in their approach to sex.

But when they got married, and sexual intimacy became legal in God’s eyes, their sex lives ironically became creepy, so to speak.

All of a sudden, the approach to sexual intimacy changed, but not for the better.

“The majority of most Christian couples struggle with this sensitive and important topic.

I will use myself as an ple, particularly Chrisexample, especially tians, that it’s somewhat from the viewpoint of taboo. my previous marriage,” “We as Christians says the Rev. Bre Eaton, can be so heavenly an associate pastor and minded until we are intercessor at God’s no earthly good when Guiding Light Chrisit comes to sex in the tian Center in southeast marriage. Some of us Houston. “When I first wrestle with the fact of Donald came to Christ, I had how our faith in Christ Lee to scratch my head (in and our human sexualbewilderment) when ity in marriage can flow it came to sexuality in the mar- in harmony,” Pastor Bre says. riage. I’d actually thought and Hebrews 13:4 tells us, Marwas taught that there were many, riage is honorable in all, and the many, many limitations when it bed undefiled: but whoremoncame to the bedroom. gers and adulterers God will “Don’t get me wrong. There judge.” are certain boundaries married Pastor Bre says she had to couples should never cross when come to grips with the fact that it comes to the bedroom — es- God is interested in the sex lives pecially when the sex becomes of His people. degrading, belittling and per“First of all, sex should verse,” Pastor Bre says. “God’s be avoided until both partners plan for sex is just pure and right. marry,” Pastor Bre says. “So, the I’m thankful that God wrote the blueprint when it came to sex in the marriage.”

Sexual intimacy, within the parameters of holy matrimony, is a beautiful thing — it’s awesome. But unfortunately there’s this feeling among so many peo- By Ida London

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question still remains, ‘Does God approve of sex in a marriage?’

The answer is: ‘Absolutely yes.’

God created sex for marriage.

He’s the one who programmed our sexual desires.

“But this question is the most-avoided question in the church because we as Christians, generally, do not know what the Word of God says about the ‘two becoming one flesh,’ ” Pastor Bre says, referencing Mark 10:8.

Pastor Bre says when she got saved she was a member of a church that didn’t address sexual harmony in marriage. But one of the “spiritual mothers” of that church answered questions Pastor Bre had regarding sexual intimacy in marriage, particularly when one’s spouse isn’t spiritual.

“She always told me that the best way to win him over to Christ was to live the Word and

be a loving, caring and supportive spouse,” Pastor Bre says. “She also told me to ‘sweep that man off of his feet’ by ministering to his sexual needs so that Christ could be tangibly displayed in my life.

“Yes, spouses, it’s time to start ministering to your spouse through ‘love making,’ or ‘becoming one,’ ” Pastor Bre says.

“There were many women (in that church) who didn’t agree with what she was saying, but I thank God that He brought revelation to me through this woman of God concerning His Word.”

Genesis 2:22-25 says, And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

Stay Connected to the Vine

Have you ever been in love with someone and all of a sudden the relationship ended, then perhaps you were left with some questions running through your mind and you felt disconnected trying to figure our what happened.

When we are connected to the vine which is Christ, we have a feeling of contentment, security and a a feeling of being loved.

But when we allow other things to come into our lives, we sometimes forget who we are commented to. At first, we may say we won’t let nothing or no one separate us from Christ.

Can we still say....

Can we still say, “For I am still persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor princi-

palities nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Roman 8:38-43 NKJV).

If we are not careful, we will allow our jobs, children, personal possessions, friends and our personal relationships take the place of our relationship with Christ.

Our mind can become so engrossed with these things or people and our attention will be far away from Christ and before we know it, we would have pushed Christ farther and farther out of out of our lives.

If you will, imagine standing talking with someone and and whatever reason, you walked away while they were still talking. After walking a distant , you

looked back and this person was still standing there talking and calling out and reaching out to you, but you didn’t take the time to turn completely around to hear what this individual had to say and why he was reaching out to you.

Now, imagine if the person you walked away from was Christ, He’s standing there reaching out to you and calling you to come to Him, but ignored His call.

Perhaps you had too may people to see and too many places to go and you thought you didn’t have time to turn around. So, in other words, the people you had to see and the places you had to go were too important that you couldn’t take a little time out of your busy schedule to spend a little time with Christ.

Christ is our source of life.

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

So, if you’re married and you’re sexually intimate with your own spouse, there’s no need to be ashamed. In fact, you should marvel at the beauty of it all.

Part VIII of the Marriage and Relationships series is next week.

For questions or comment, please call Pastor Donald Lee at (225) 773-2248 or e-mail him at pastordonjlee@yahoo.com. You can also call Pastor Bre at (832) 228-5790 or e-mail her at kingdomprayers4am@yahoo.com.

To join them for 4 a.m. prayer, seven days a week, please call (712) 432-3100. To chime in to the prayer, the conference code is 340101.

We are the branches and He is the vine. Just like a flower needs to be planted in the ground and grow roots to stay alive while the nutrients from the soil keeps it alive.

We need Christ and His love to keep us alive. Without Him we are nothing and can do NOTHING WITHOUT HIM. Abide in me and I in you, as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself it abides in the vine, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine and you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

(John 15:4-5).

Stay connected and committed to the Vine, which is Christ.

If we don’t we will wither and die.

Visit Us Online @

Next to the Greyhound Bus Station

JUNE 15, 2010 - Until 7:00 PM NIGHTLY

www.theweeklypress.com

Please contact Reverend Donald Britton at (225) 774-3785 for more information

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

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.

Reverend H Martin PRAYER SERVICE

WEDNESDAY 12:00 5013 WINDFALL COURT BATON ROUGE, LA. 70812 FOR DIRECTION CALL 225-358-8100 We are seeking Prayer Warriors and Singers Remember Acts: 16,25-26

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

Indoor Tanning Increases Melanoma Risk by 74 Percent New York, NY - Indoor ultraviolet (UV) tanners are 74 percent more likely to develop melanoma than those who have never tanned indoors. Additionally, the more time a person has spent tanning indoors, the higher the risk. The type of UV tanning machine used also affects melanoma risk-some tanners had 4.44 times the risk of those who had never tanned indoors. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, killing approximately 8,650 Americans in 2009.

In a study of 1,167 melanoma cases and 1,101 people without melanoma (controls) appearing in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, researchers, led by DeAnn Lazovich of the University of Minnesota, found that almost 63 percent of the melanoma patients but just over 51 percent of the control group had tanned indoors.

“This excellent study addresses several of the weaknesses and critiques of prior case control studies assessing the melanoma risk associated with UV tanning devices,” said Allan C. Halpern, vice president of The Skin Cancer Foundation. “The new data strongly support the conclusions of the 2009 report released by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), stating that ultra-

violet radiation from tanning machines is cancer-causing to humans.”

Tanning frequency directly influenced melanoma risk in the Minnesota study.

People who had tanned indoors for more than 50 hours (more than 100 sessions, or 10 or more years) were between 2.5 and 3.0 times more likely to develop melanoma than non-indoor tanners. The study did not find that the age at which indoor tanners begin the practice is as influential as previously thought. In 2006, a meta-analysis (study of multiple studies) found that people who began tanning before age 35 had a 75 percent higher risk of developing melanoma. But, according to the authors of the study, “our analysis indicates that early age exposure is most likely a marker for cumulative exposure,” meaning that the younger a patient was when s/he started tanning, the more time s/he has had to accumulate hours of UV radiation exposure.

“We hope that these findings, along with what we already know about the risks of indoor tanning, will keep people from using tanning beds,” Dr. Halpern said.

“We also hope this additional data will motivate the FDA to expedite appropriate regulation of these devices.”

New Tests for Prostate Cancer Might Bring More Certainty Two new tests promise to cut down on the number of biopsies now taken from men suspected of having prostate cancer, researchers report.

The tests -- still in the early stages of development -- might also offer better clues about which cancers require immediate treatment and which can be left for so-called “watchful waiting,” researchers reported Tuesday at the American Urological Association’s annual meeting, in San Francisco.

Both tests check for increased levels of genetic material -- one for the DNA of which genes are made, the other for the RNA that carries the messages from those genes. And both tests appear to add certainty to the suspicion of prostate cancer provided by the most widely used test for prostate cancer, the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood screen.

PSA testing is often used to screen men for prostate cancer. A high blood level reading of PSA is often followed by a biopsy -- tissue sample -- to detect cancer cells.

However, “only one of three [such patients] is likely to have a positive biopsy,” noted Dr. Rakesh Singal, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, who presented one report at the meeting. “We wanted to come up with a test that tells us which patients are likely to have positive biopsies,” to help spare men unnecessary procedures and worry, he said.

The test Singal described looks at blood levels of specific DNA. Prostate cancer can increase those levels, because malignant cells grow abnormally fast and cause the death of other cells, Singal explained.

The study included 252 men referred for prostate biopsies because of abnormal PSA test readings. Singal’s team found that high levels of the target DNA were significantly associated with the presence of a cancer.

“What we think will probably happen in the future is that those men who have high PSA levels will [also] have this test,” Singal said. “If the DNA levels are high they will have biopsies; if low, they can be observed periodically.”

But for that to happen, the results of this study have to be confirmed, he said. “We hopefully will find funding for a study in a larger set of patients,” Singal said.

The other test, described by Dr. E. David Crawford, a professor

of urology at the University of Colorado, is targeted to elevated levels of PCA3 “messenger RNA” in urine. Again, elevated levels of this genetic material are associated with the presence of a tumor.

In the study, nearly 2,000 men with elevated PSA levels or abnormal results on a digital rectal examination (which measures prostate enlargement) also underwent PCA3 urine tests, followed by biopsies.

The PCA3 readings were significantly higher in those men whose biopsies turned out positive for cancer, the team found.

In addition, “PCA3 level reflects the aggressiveness of cancer,” Crawford said, so that the test could be used to single out prostate cancers requiring immediate surgery or radiation treatment.

Further studies are needed to determine whether PCA3 testing could serve that purpose, he said. In the meantime, the immediate effect of the new data is to help develop “a new paradigm” for early detection of cancer, in which PCA3 testing would go along with PSA testing and digital rectal examinations, Crawford said.

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 sage to each presidential candidate. now by enacting and adequately We must demand that our leaders funding the provisions of the All commit to children as a condition Bhealthy y Zekita Turner Children Act. of our vote.

Specious claims that we could St. Louis, MO – Inbillion honor not find the money—$70 Marian Wright Edelman is Presiof African Americancover women over five years—to all dent of the Children’s Defense Fund who haveisbeen with and its Action Council whose Leave children belieddiagnosed by that amount breast time author, spent incancer, eleven three months for tax cuts No Child Behind® mission is to for the topwriter, one percent richest ensure every child a Healthy Start, freelance andof commuAmericans in seven months nity activist,and Zekita delivers an a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe for the iraqand War.inspiring We do not book have Start and a Moral Start in life and insightful a money problem in Two America: We successful passage to adulthood titled ‘One Breast, Breasts: have a priorities andCancer politicalwith will with the help of caring families Surviving Breast deficit. Books, it is time forBillsall adults to and communities.

Babies, and A Book the health of ourand children. ofprotect Practical Wisdom Inspiration.’

One Breast, Two Breasts is alk adio from page 4 a superb piece of nonfiction that invites the reader into a world of reader true strength and faith.

Author, Zekita addresses funnysingle or remotely forget o’reilly’s less-than-the aall young, African appropriAmerican we most mundane of alife ate aboutlife thewho usewas of adiagnosed lynching informed commentsaspects regarding mother’s reference about Michelle obama,’’ he shared lastand yearhow withshe as a young mother with an advanced stage of ag- dinner he said. ‘’it’s speechless.’’

Sylvia’s in harlem? was ableat to cope with chemogressive breast- i’m cancer at the age Sharpton As President Bush pointed out surprise over therapy,expressed being a mother of two of thirty one and survived.

Ze- o’reilly so eloquently duringfull theofBlack similarSylvia’s to other young girls, being awas student, havkita offers anecdotes hope how history Month event, thecourage noose restaurants in New York restauing a radical mastectomy while and wisdom along with represents ‘’more thanshow a tool the of rants. maintaining as an author and and passion that will murder but a tool of intimidation’’ ‘’there wasn’t one person in to generations of African-Ameri- Sylvia’s who was screaming, cans. Nooses not only robbed some ‘M-Fer, i want more iced tea,’’’ of their lives but many of their he said. peace of mind.

As the Washington Post’s rob‘’As a civil society, we must inson sadly observed on MSNBC understand that noose displays in February, ‘’All you can go by and lynching jokes are deeply is his words and his actions. And offensive. they are wrong. And he keeps saying these things that they have no place in America sound pretty darn racist to me.’’ today,’’ he said. has talk radio learned anything Neither o’reilly nor ingraham from imus’ decline and fall? of has been reprimanded by their re- course not, because it didn’t take Though African-Americans similarly 1.5 times more spective employers even though imus too terribly long to likely get a to are likelypersonality than whites get new get Alzheimer’s but are also less themore Fox News did to offer gig.

Alzheimer’s disease that af- likely to be diagnosed.

Experts a half-hearted—a apology. our nation’s media outlets fects memory anddidn’t behavior also offer that some racialfor and Atthe least ingraham dropof should not provide a platform 5.3 Americans – theythat are racialhostility ethnic minorities may speech be relucthemillion l-word but her suggestion and hateful Sharpton, presidential thetested future. What kind of less likely atoformer be diagnosed, the now tantortoinget candidate and respected member of messageare we sending todespite our chil-the Contra Costa Times reports. for Alzheimer’s, the African-American community our nation anddiagnosis. our world?

While the cause of Al- dren, benefits of early and beyond, is anot petty reeks in such anLadson, historic election zheimer’s has yetthief been deDr. Hinton,year, direcof race-baiting negative steasideAlzheimer’s and allow termined, nor isand it completely un- we torcannot of the stand UC Davis reotypingwhy of African-Americans to useEducation the airwaves derstood African-Americans individuals Disease Center Core, and black menrisk in particular. an outlet“[t]here’s for insensitive have a higher of developing asexplains, a realand need it’s hardly first time if you theBut disease, riskthe factors for eithe misguidedcommentary. to increase awareness and work ther has ventured into questionable something that offends you,on Alzheimer’s include high blood hear with health care providers and offensive territory. how can pressure, stroke, diabetes, and speak how up. they can do a better job heart disease, conditions for with their African-American pawhich the rates are much higher tients… There also is a real need among African-American yStem from page 4 and to work with the community to other low-income communi- try to prevent Alzheimer’s” (Klefties than for whites. Latinos are fman, 4/20.) cally pointed out that changes concerned with the conditions which occur in a human being is at Jetson. it is happening there. redirected to pull from the core What i do know is that most of of his own humanity to reaffirm these youth can be changed, from self worth and purpose. he will contrition in a prepatory school then by nature acquire the will to for Angola to rehabilitation for do for himself and others. a positive life that may lead to a Space is not available to cover life of meritorious glory. That is concerns of so many people the Way I See It! For people who need more In another study, researchreasons to start exercising and ers examined surveys taken by steer clear of smoking, new re- 178 healthy men at a VA medical search finds that moving around center in North Carolina. and rejecting cigarettes can imEven after adjusting their prove urinary health in women statistics for factors such as age and sexual health in men. and race, the study authors found In one study, research- that those who exercised more ers surveyed more than 2,000 often reported better sexual funcFinnish women, aged 18 to 79, tion. about smoking and their urinary The findings are scheduled health. to be released Monday at the anAfter the investigators nual meeting of the American adjusted the statistics so they Urological Association in San wouldn’t be thrown off by factors Francisco. such as medication use and life“We all know that smoking style, the researchers found that and being sedentary are not good former and current smokers were for our health,” Dr. Anthony Y. 1.8 to 2.7 times more likely to need Smith, an association spokesman, to urinate urgently, and 1.7 to 3.0 said in a news release. “These times more likely to need to uri- data give us one more reason to nate more frequently compared stop smoking and start exercisto those who never smoked. ing.”

Could You Be At Risk?

Thursday, June 3, 2010 • The Weekly Press • Page 7

HEALTH A Cancer Story

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African-Americans are Twice as Likely as Whites to Develop Alzheimer’s Disease

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Sexual, Urinary Health Boosted in Exercisers, Nonsmokers

(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 not know they have it. all potential risk factors for diabetes.

For many, diagnosis may come People scoring 10 points or more are seven to 10 years after the onset of at a high risk for type 2 diabetes and type 2business diabetes. owner, early diagnosis is are encouraged to talk with aworks health small and most Zekita most recent critical for successful and include care professional. the African American importantlybeing treatment a survivor. can delay prevent the youth An estimated 54 million AmeriShe or allows the some readerofinto study guide, YourStory complications such heart diseases, cans have pre-diabetes. thosepubwith One. She has been the very heart ofasbreast cancer Book blindness, kidney disease, strokefull and lished pre-diabetes have blood glucose levdiagnosis and tells stories by countless newspapers amputation. els higher than normal but not high of wisdom that are sure to give and online publications across that’s the ADA enough to be diagnosed U.S., West Africa,with andtype in hope to one anyreason woman whoholds has the the American Diabetes Day, London.

2 diabetes. Zekita has also been been diagnosed with Alert® breast cana one-day to inform the a featured early intervention lifestyle essayistviafor ABC cer youngwake-up or old.callOne Breast, American public about the seriouschanges such as weight loss anda Two Breast is sure to give rec- World News and has been ognition to the unique struggle guest on several radio shows with breast cancer that African including the Roland S. Martin American women face. The book Show (Chicago), The Intersecis also a vehicle of love and en- tion with award winning jourcouragement for supporters of nalist Rebecca Roberts (DC), and women on this journey. Over The Urban Journal with Keith the years of searching for a cure Murphy (XM Radio). She is a for this horrible disease the face native of St. Louis, MO and curof breast cancer has been one rently lives there with her two Landmany Line (225) 356-0703 that African American young daughters, Niambi and Cell Phone (225) 235-6955with. Yanahni. women cannot identify GSRASAC E-mail: Goodshepherdbapt@bellsouth.

Available June 25, 2010 at The books about fighting and surviving just simply8am dealing net Hours:orMon-Thurs – 8 pm Barnes&Noble (bn.com), Amawith the disease have very sel- zon.com, Baker&Taylor, Ingram, dom been molded fit the lives and at independent GoodtoShepherd Substance Abuse Center bookstores of everyday African American across the U.S., Intensive Outpatient / Inpatient TherapyCanada, and women. One Breast, Two Breasts U.K. For Drugs, Alcohol, Anger Management motivates the reader to recognize Also available at HYPER“http://www.zeniampuband to Mission celebrateDrive the lives andRev.LINK 2873 Donald Britton, MA, LAC journeys of the African Ameri- lications.com” www.zeniampubBaton Rouge, LA 70805 Clinical Director can women who too are often lications.com. Visit website for (225) 315-0740 Hayes, Overseer moreHarris information. devastated by this disease. Bishop

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Page 8 • The

Weekly Press • Thursday, June 3, 2010

Other News

East Baton Rouge Parish Read4Life Youth Work Program Mentoring Session BAKER, LA - On Saturday May 8, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. about 20 program youth, mentors and program staff gathered in the Administration and Activity Center of the Greater First Church-Baptist located at 4669 Groom Road conducted its 2nd monthly group mentoring session.

Program youth and matched with volunteer mentors who are screened, undergo Federal Background checks, and trained to provide oneon-one mentoring services to youth participants four hours per month for a twelve month commitment. The program is taught by Reverend Anthony Kelley, Project Director, Youth participants receive training on goal setting and how to achieve short term and long range goals aided by their mentors. A gracious and delicious lunch fellowship followed the training

session.

Other planned topics for the Group Mentoring Sessions each month through September will be taught by the program’s a G.E.D.., Reading and Literacy Independent Contractor, Allen K. Carey utilizing PEN OR PENCIL Curriculum developed by one of the program’s National Partners, Studies. PEN is short for penitentiary and PENCIL represents education. This National Service Learning Initiative blends history, social studies, civic education, economic/ workforce, and service learning standards into an experiential learning framework to inspire critical thinking, skills development, and activism by youth to choose the road away from jail and prison and towards a quality education and the world of work.

The Ready4Life Youth Work Program is specifically de-

Pictured from left to right are: Lois M. Washington; Richard Craven; YaVonya Kelley; Reverend Anthony Kelley, Program Director, Reisha Harts, student; and Dr. Everett D. Gibson.

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Pictured from left to right are: Lois M. Washington; Richard Craven; YaVonya Kelley; Reverend Anthony Kelley, Program Director, Jarvis Williams, student; Dr. Everett D. Gibson, and Diane Swayzer-Smith.

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