MURDERS OF BIGGIE AND TUPAC STILL A MYSTERY SEE PAGE 5
EE FR
40 YEARS
CELEBRATING
REV. JESSE JACKSON: COMMON SENSE IS NOW ABSENT IN OUR NATION PAGE 4
OF CONTINUOUS WEEKLY PUBLISHING
East Central Florida’s Black Voice JANUARY 24 - JANUARY 30, 2019
YEAR 44 NO. 4
www.daytonatimes.com
KEEPING KING’S LEGACY ALIVE Local events include march and worship service in Daytona BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES
Events honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the federal holiday returned to Daytona Beach this year and organizers were pleased with the outcome. Hundreds braved chilly temperatures to participate in Monday’s march, which was followed by a worship service at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church. Monday morning’s MLK activities in Daytona started with a breakfast at the church, followed by the community march. The Rev. Derrick McRae of The Experience Christian Center of Orlando was the speaker at the church service.
Welcome return The events returned to Daytona after a countywide celebration last year in DeLand observing the 50th anniversary of King’s death. Last year’s 50th MLK Day Celebration was a countywide celebration with a march from Stetson University to Earl Brown Park in DeLand followed by a community festival. “I think this year’s activities were a success. Yes, there is room for improvement, but it was a success. It was great to have the events local again. People actually missed doing it here last year. It was welcomed on the east side of the county,” said the Rev. Nathan Mugala, chair of the chair of the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration for Florida and pastor of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church. Mugala reiterated the need to See LEGACY, Page 2
ANDREAS BUTLER/DAYTONA TIMES
Local clergy lead residents during the MLK Day march in Daytona Beach.
DAYTONA TIMES / 40TH ANNIVERSARY
City employees honored, Butts pushes stadium
Flagler County Schools picks top teacher, support employee BY DAYTONA TIMES STAFF
Donelle Evensen, a literacy coach at Rymfire Elementary School, has been named Flagler County Schools’ teacher of the year. Eugenia Moore, a guidance clerk at Matanzas High School, was chosen as support employee of the year. “Both Donelle and Eugenia are shining examples of what it means to be a significant adult. They came to Flagler Schools in different ways, but after getting to know the two of them, it is easy to see why they were named our Teacher and Support Employee
of the Year. They will represent Flagler Schools well this upcoming year,” said Superintendent James Tager.
Teacher’s journey Evensen is a graduate of Flagler Palm Coast High School. Upon graduation, she attended the University of Central Florida, majoring in Exceptional Student Education. She returned to Flagler Schools following her graduation from UCF in 2006 and began teaching at Rymfire Elementary that fall. “It makes me feel like I may See TEACHER, Page 2
Eugenia Moore, left, and Donelle Evensen, were named Flagler County Schools’ top employees last week.
Women’s film festival to focus on image, diversity
Twenty-three years ago in 1996, the Daytona Times reported on an awards ceremony for city employees, and local minister Henry L. Butts, Sr. pushing for construction of a stadium on the campus of then-Bethune-Cookman College.
ALSO INSIDE
LUNAFEST, a fundraising film festival dedicated to promoting awareness about women’s issues, will be hosted by Girls on the Run of Volusia County at the Athens Theatre in DeLand on Feb. 5. This 18th annual Women’s Film Festival highlights women as leaders in society, illustrated through eight short films by women filmmakers.
The films range from animation to fictional drama, and cover topics such as women’s health, body image, relationships, cultural diversity and breaking barriers. All proceeds from LUNAFEST will benefit Girls on the Run of Volusia County and Chicken & Egg Pictures, a nonprofit organization that supports women nonfiction filmmakers whose artful and innovative storytelling catalyzes social change. Thus far, LUNAFEST, which is created and funded by LUNA, The Whole Nutrition Bar, has raised more than $4 million for nonprofit organizations across the United States and Canada.
COMMUNITY NEWS: DAYTONA STATE COLLEGE WILL HOST JOB FAIR ON DELAND CAMPUS | PAGE 2 SPORTS: GLADYS KNIGHT FACES CRITICISM FOR AGREEING TO SING AT SUPER BOWL | PAGE 7
See FESTIVAL, Page 2
7 FOCUS
R2 Funds available to fortify homes against wind
Volusia County’s Wind Hazard Mitigation Program can help qualifying residents prepare their homes for hurricane season. Residents who meet income-eligibility requirements and need upgrades to improve their home’s wind resistance may qualify for assistance. The SHIP-funded program can assist with hurricane coverings for window and doors, gable-end tie-downs and wind-rated garage doors. Funds cannot be used for window replacement. The maximum award per household is $15,000.
Zero-interest loan Funding can be used only for owner-occupied homes in Volusia County except in the city limits of Daytona Beach and Deltona. The funds are provided as a five-year, zero-interest, deferred loan secured by a mortgage. If the homeowner lives in the home for five years and complies with program restrictions, the loan will be forgiven. Applicants work with the county’s Community Assistance staff to apply and determine eligibility. For more information, visit www.volusia.org/affordable-housing or call Affordable Housing Coordinator Lori Brown at 386-736-5955, ext. 12969.
JANUARY 24 – JANUARY 30, 2019
Daytona State plans job fair in DeLand
Employers from a variety of industries will be on hand seeking to fill positions on Tuesday, Feb. 5, when Daytona State College’s DeLand campus hosts a spring job fair. It’s set for 9 a.m. to noon at the DeLand campus, 1155 County Road 4139. Participating employers include Centra Care, Daytona Beverages, Halifax Health, Heartland Dental, J&P Cycles, National Broadband, Senior Helpers, SherwinWilliams, Spherion Staffing, Sykes, US Foods, VITAS Healthcare, Volusia County Schools, Waffle House, Walgreens and others representing a range of industries. The job fair is free and open to the public.
More job fairs Current Daytona State students and alumni are welcome to visit the college’s Career Services Department prior to the job fair for assistance with resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation and other free services. Additional job fairs are slated through spring: March 8 on the Flagler/Palm Coast campus, March 27 on the Daytona Beach campus, and one dedicated to health careers on May 1, also on the Daytona campus. For additional information, contact Dean Howe, 386-506-3379 or Dean. Howe@DaytonaState.edu.
Palm Coast rolls out tools to help businesses
The Palm Coast Business Assistance Center (BAC) is offering new and expanded tools to aid local businesses – including the launching of a business-friendly website, a step-by-step Business Guide to assist business owners and entrepreneurs alike, and Business Navigation Services to provide technical and permitting assistance. These free resources are available online at www.PalmCoastBAC.com. Print copies of the new BAC Business Guide are also available at the BAC office at Palm Coast City Hall, 160 Lake Ave. The updated website makes it easy for anyone to request a consultation from the BAC.
No-cost advice The center provides expert advice and business tools at no cost – on topics such as business start-up, sources of capital, marketing and sales, financial analysis/ cost control, inventory control, accounting and records, business liquidation, government procurement, international trade, and more. The new Business Guide is an easy-touse resource to assist small business owners and entrepreneurs in understanding the municipal processes in Palm Coast and to save them time and money by following a defined process with expected results.
One-stop source The guide explains how to get a business started in Palm Coast and provides detailed information on permits and licenses needed for different businesses. Through its Business Navigation Services, the BAC assists business owners in the process of securing development project approvals, such as federal, state and local permitting and licensing requirements. This new service allows the BAC to be a one-stop shop source and advocate when dealing with the sometimes cumbersome and technical process when growing or expanding a business.
Improved services The new BAC website, Business Guide and Business Navigation Services are part of the Palm Coast City Council’s ongoing effort to improve processes and services, including helping businesses navigate across City departments as their projects develop, businesses are expanded and new business concepts become a reality. “We hope that our business community will take advantage of these free resources to make their businesses a success,” said Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland. “When our local businesses thrive, our entire City and County benefit.” For more information, contact the Palm Coast BAC at 386-986-2499 or visit www. PalmCoastBAC.com.
LEGACY from Page 1
continue to honor the dream and legacy of King. “It’s important for us as a people to continue to keep his legacy alive, especially for our young people so that they know that we have come a long way and still have a long ways to go,” he remarked.
Youth represented Young people like Renaldo Yaa, 7, marched with the clergy and other adults. “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave freedom to all people and it is important to honor him,” Renaldo, a student at Palm Terrace Elementary, told the Daytona Times during the march. Blake Minter, a junior accounting major at Bethune-Cookman University, participated in MLK Day events in Daytona Beach with her sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. “I thought it was a great idea to come out and give back to our community. Martin Luther King was one of many of the civil rights activists that paved the way for Black people in general and just for equality,” she told the Times. “I feel it’s important that we honor his legacy for that. There is definitely more work to be done. Racism is still hidden in our society. Some of the same problems still exist today. I don’t even know how a Dr. King would fight today,’’ she added.
‘Moving forward’ Debra Thompson sees a day when others will rise up and be leaders like King. “I came out because I believe in Dr. Martin Luther King work and the words that he spoke. I try to live my life that way. His message was about freedom and justice,” she said. “We have overcome and we’re moving forward but must continue working. Black people need to show and have more unity. Somewhere in the future there will be other leaders like King and Malcolm X coming up.’’
PHOTOS BY ANDREAS BUTLER/DAYTONA TIMES
Evette Presley and Debora Thompson hold images of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. They were part of the Daytona Beach march.
Scholarships presented Other MLK events in Daytona Beach included a Gospel Explosion on Jan. 13 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and “7 Words From The King” InterFaith Worship Service on Jan. 20 at Master’s Domain Church of God In Christ. During the service at Master’s Domain, the Daytona Beach MLK Committee gave out scholarships to high school seniors who plan to attend college. Recipients of $1,000 scholarships were Kagiena Badie and Jasmine Robinson (Atlantic High School), Nia Hill and Aliyah Merrick (New Smyrna Beach High), La’Karla Moore (Seabreeze High), and Camron Wright (Mainland High). A $1,000 Trayvon Martin memorial scholarship was awarded to Destiny Harris, a student at Seabreeze. Other MLK Day events in Volusia County were held in Ormond Beach and DeLand.
Mainland High School student, Cydney Wright, 15, holds an NAACP sign during the march in Daytona Beach. Wright was one of the many youngsters who participated in the activities.
FESTIVAL
TEACHER
Reception, then films
have accomplished what I’ve set out to do and that’s increase student achievement and increase support for our teachers and make them feel like they’re valued and are appreciated for what they do every day,” Evensen said. She obtained her master’s degree in Elementary Reading and Literacy from Walden University in 2008. In 2017, she earned a master’s certification in Educational Leadership from Stetson University. Evenson has been married for 16 years. She and her husband have four children.
from Page 1
An opening reception is 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 5 at The Elusive Grape, 120 N. Woodland Blvd., with films starting at 7 p.m. at the theater, 124 N. Florida Ave. General tickets are $25, which includes the reception. Tickets are $15 for students. They are available at online at gotrvolusia.org. Girls on the Run is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that helps girls achieve their potential through a curriculum that integrates running. For more information, contact Kathy Steen at Kathysteen09@gmail.com or 386-801-5555.
from Page 1
A young Black girl in South Los Angeles experiences a series of events that intersects racism and sexism during a Fourth of July holiday in “War Paint.’’
A proud mom At Matanzas High School, Moore also serves as a testing and ESE secretary. She
has worked with Flagler Schools since 2004. “Both my children are products of Flagler Schools. They’ve both been told they can do whatever they want and they have always had the support of their teachers. I am so proud of Matanzas and to be a part of the Flagler Schools family,” she stated. Her son, Jadakiss, graduated from Matanzas last year and is a student at Daytona State College. Her daughter, Janay, is a sophomore at Matanzas. Moore attended Mitchell College and St. Johns University before moving to Flagler County in 2002. In addition to working at Matanzas, Moore has been a Girl Scouts troop leader for the past eight years. Eversen and Moore will represent Flagler County Schools in statewide competitions in the coming months.
3 7
M A YNEWS OR
JANUARY 24 – JANUARY 30, 2019 COMMUNITY DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006
MLK message urges less vocal and more ‘local’ Anticipation of a resonant message was the drawing card Monday, leading a huge turnout to the Ecumenical Memorial Program for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Chapter 2 of the New York City Transit Retirees of Florida (NYCTR) presented the program. Keynote speaker Marc Dwyer did not disappoint those arriving at the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Palm Coast. He is a senior partner/family law attorney at the law firm of Chiumento, Dwyer, Hertel, Grant & Kistemaker, as well as a gospel recording artist with the Seventh Element, and an elder at the Palm Coast Seventh Day Adventist Church. In the mix and prior to his message, the Ecumenical Choir – directed by interim minister of music Heasuk Che – performed Moses Hogan’s “Like a Mighty Stream” and Richard Smallwood’s “Total Praise.” The Sheltering Tree was the recipient of a love offering as a charitable contribution.
PALM COAST COMMUNITY NEWS JEROLINE D. MCCARTHY
“Each and every sacrifice that Dr. King made was not for the salvation of Black America, but for America itself,” Dwyer stated.
More action urged The speaker reckoned that today the African-American community leads the nation’s unemployment, single parenthood, and the prison population. “We preach and we pontificate about being given more rights and fairer opportunities, without utilizing the power that’s already within our grasp,’’ he said. During the civil rights era, the speeches were wonderful,” he added, “...but it was the economic boycotts, the power that they had to use locally that eventually led to national change... “I don’t know about you,” he continued, “...I want to see action...We’ve had the vocal, now we need the ‘local.’” “We worry about Donald Trump in the White House, but we don’t send any representatives to the state house,” Dwyer declared. “We are always worrying about Betsy DeVos in the Department of Education, but we don’t volunteer at our own local schools...We claim there’s not enough jobs, but we don’t support each other’s businesses, so we can employ and train more people....”
Ultimate sacrifice Dwyer noted that had an assassin’s bullet not have cut short Dr. King’s life, he would have turned 90 years old last Wednesday. “Would he be weighing in on the conflicts and the challenges of our future?” Dwyer questioned. It wasn’t always the same message spoken in 1963, but Dwyer marveled that Dr. King’s theme was always the same. The attorney detected that the greatest advocate of nonviolent liberation did not stay on one subject, but moved to the cause of the day. In fact, on the day of his assassination, he was in Memphis, championing a local cause for local garbage workers. “We stand here today honoring this great leader – not because of the actions that he took,” said Dwyer, “but because of the impact that he had. “We stand here today honoring this American icon – not because of his mellifluous oratories – but because of the principles that he stood for,” added the speaker.
Importance of support Dwyer mentioned that “a culture will not solve its problems by asking others to solve them; it will be solved when the culture is dominated by problem-solvers.’’ I don’t like every one of Tyler Perry’s movies,” he added, “but I go. … He can hire more people...I don’t watch the game shows on the Oprah Winfrey network, but
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FOR BLACK STUDENTS. NO EXCUSES. The classic guide from Florida Courier publisher, lawyer and broadcaster CHARLES W. CHERRY II
PHOTOS COURTESY OF LOUIS P. MCCARTHY
Marie McCray is president of Chapter 2, New York City Transit Retirees of Florida.
The Ecumenical Choir performed Moses Hogan’s “Like a Mighty Stream” and Richard Smallwood’s “Total Praise.” they run in my house constantly... “We’ve been crying due to the lack of health care, but we diet around fats, sugars...We cry about unequal sentencing in the criminal courts, but we don’t come out and elect the Black judges when somebody runs” – which was among other issues – but precisely that Dwyer had entered the 2012 race without becoming the Flagler County judge in his second attempt in the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. The other speakers were: Marie McCray, president, NYCTR; the Rev. Dr. Jeffrey W. Beebe, transitional pastor, Trinity Presbyterian Church; the Rev. Dr. Patrick A. Wilkerson, pastor, St. James Missionary Baptist Church, Bunnell; the Rev. Kevin Lautar, pastor, First Baptist Church, Palm Coast; Dottie Townsend, executive board member, NYCTR; and Raleigh Stockton, former president, NYCTR.
Family and friends invited to service
PRAISE FOR ‘EXCELLENCE WITHOUT EXCUSE’: “This guide for African-American college-bound students is packed with practical and insightful information for achieving academic success...The primary focus here is to equip students with the savvy and networking skills to maneuver themselves through the academic maze of higher education.” – Book review, School Library Journal • How low expectations of Black students’ achievements can get them higher grades; • Want a great grade? Prepare to cheat! • How Black students can program their minds for success; • Setting goals – When to tell everybody, and when to keep your mouth shut; • Black English, and why Black students must be ‘bilingual.’
Join First Church’s “dress-down” Sunday, Jan. 27, 10:45 a.m., at a service for “Family and Friends,” followed by funfilled fellowship, board games, and delicious food in the educational complex. All are invited. Pastored by the Rev. Gillard S. Glover, First Church – 91 Old Kings Road North, Palm Coast – can be reached at 386-4465759.
AAUW to focus on Black history The American Association of University Women (AAUW) of Flagler County will celebrate Black History Month by welcoming Katherine McCladdie and Daisy Grimes to the general meeting, Feb. 9, 11 a.m., in the dining room of Pine Lakes Golf Club. McCladdie is vice president/researcher/lecturer for the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society of East Central Florida. Grimes is director of Legacy & University Protocol for Bethune-Cookman University. The AAUW’s media release states that McCladdie will present an overview of “The United Order of the Tents,” founded in 1867 by former slaves Annetta M. Lane
Marc Dwyer
Katherine McCladdie
Daisy Grimes
and Harriett R. Taylor. “The United Order of the Tents,” predominately operated by Black women, spans from the District of Columbia to Georgia, and diligently works to provide care and shelter to those who cannot care for themselves. Founded 114 years ago, Bethune-Cookman University opened as the Daytona Literary and Industrial Training School for African-American girls for a $1.50 tuition. Today, it is a university with nearly 4,000 students, alumni topping 15,000, and a legacy that continues to impact the community. Grimes once walked the campus as a student; today, she strives to preserve the custom, heritage, devotion, and perseverance embodied by its founder. Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation that paved the way last year for founder Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune to take her place in the National Statuary Hall in our nation’s capitol, and become the first AfricanAmerican woman so honored by a state. Lunch is available at $17 per person. For reservations and menu options, contact Sally Smeaton by email: shsmeaton@gmail.com, or phone 386-447-4137 by Feb. 6. ••• As always, remember our prayers for the sick, afflicted, the prodigal son, or daughter, and the bereaved.
Celebrations Birthday wishes to Sheldon Shamarr Henderson, Jan. 24; Shaaf McGlown, Jan. 26; Roman Sword and the Rev. G. Vincent Lewis, Jan. 29. Happy anniversary to “BJ” and Marva Jones, Jan. 25.
…AND MUCH MORE!
www.excellencewithoutexcuse.com
Keep safe during the winter
Download immediately as an eBook or a pdf Order softcover online, from Amazon, or your local bookstore ISBN#978-1-56385-500-9 Published by International Scholastic Press, LLC
House fires occur more in winter than any other season. The Palm Coast Fire Department urges residents to be fire smart with these safety tips. Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, including people. Make sure the area around the fireplace is clear of anything that is potentially flammable (ie: furniture, drapes, newspapers, books, etc.). If these items get too close to the fireplace, they could catch fire. Generators should be used outside only, and be sure to place them away from windows and doors. If using a generator, install carbon monoxide alarms, and test monthly. Likewise, never use a grill indoors. Fuel-burning devices release carbon monoxide, which is a deadly gas. Plug only one heat-producing appliance, such as a space heater, into an
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East Central Florida’s Black Voice
electric outlet at a time. For fireplaces, be certain the damper or flue is open before starting a fire, and don’t close the damper until the embers have completely stopped burning. The chimney should be checked annually by a professional. Even if the chimney is not due for cleaning, it is important to check for animal nests or other blockages that could prevent smoke from escaping. Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended. Make sure it is completely out before going to bed or leaving the house. Install both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Test them monthly and change the batteries at least twice a year. Communicate to children as early as possible the dangers of fires and the heat generated from them. Keep a fire extinguisher on hand. For more information, call the Palm Coast Fire Department at 386-986-2300.
R4
7 EDITORIAL
JANUARY 24 – JANUARY 30, 2019
Common sense is now absent in our nation President Donald Trump believes he can slander the Democratic leaders that he must negotiate with and demand capitulation in return for simply allowing the government to run. When the Democratic-led House recently passed legislation that was approved by the Republican Senate in December to fund the government, Republican senators refused even to put it on the floor. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi delights in tweaking Trump, suggesting that he should postpone his State of the Union address until the government is up and running. Trump retaliates by postponing Pelosi’s trip to see the troops in Afghanistan and leaking the schedule, violating basic security. Lost in all this is common sense.
It doesn’t make sense The United States has the largest military budget, larger than Russia and China combined. Yet we are adding money to a Pentagon budget already bigger than it was at the height of the Cold War. That doesn’t make sense. The U.S. has the most powerful nuclear arsenal in the world. We could literally destroy the world, unleashing a deadly nuclear winter. Yet President Barack Obama and now Trump committed to spending over a trillion dollars on another generation of nuclear weapons. That doesn’t make sense.
REV. JESSE L. JACKSON, SR. TRICE EDNEY NEWS WIRE
Dr. Martin Luther King said he couldn’t follow the old “eyefor-an-eye philosophy” because “it ends up leaving everyone blind.” He told the story of driving from Atlanta with his brother at night. The U.S. has “locations” ‒ bases ‒ in over 160 countries. We are literally trying to police the world. That doesn’t make sense. The U.S. suffers obscene and debilitating inequality. The three richest billionaires have as much wealth as half of all Americans combined. Yet the Republican Congress just passed a tax bill that will end up giving more than three-quarters of its benefits to the richest one percent. That doesn’t make sense.
The connection between stress and strokes The idea of a stroke is frightening because it comes without warning and can change your life forever. Unfortunately, nearly 800,000 people will experience a new or recurrent stroke every year, and stroke is a leading cause of disability in the United States. In any given year, 100,000 African-Americans will have a stroke ‒ the third-leading cause of death in the African-American community. Overall, African-Americans suffer more strokes than any other group of people. Studies show that if you are Black and of African or Caribbean origin, you are twice as likely to have a stroke, and at a younger age, than White people. The reasons for this are complex and not completely understood. Stroke is also the leading cause of preventable disability. Research shows that up to 80 percent of strokes could have been prevented.
Two types There are two main types of
GLENN ELLIS TRICE EDNEY NEWS WIRE
stroke: those that block arteries and those that cause arteries to bleed. Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by bleeding in the brain due to a weak spot in the wall of the vessel, which can cause an aneurysm (bulging of the vessel wall). The vessels can also be weakened by chronic, very high blood pressure and break from force. When the vessel breaks, the blood leaks into surrounding tissue, and the brain doesn’t get the oxygen and nutrients it needs. Ischemic stroke results from blocked arteries which often occur from cholesterol buildup called plaque. The risk of ischemic stroke ‒ the most prevalent type of stroke, which is caused by
House rules on staff diversity are a positive change While policy decisions affecting all Americans are debated in the halls of Congress, persons of color are largely absent in toplevel staff positions. Thus, on issues like education, the economy, health care, and decisions of war and peace, Members of Congress are legislating without the perspective of Black and Brown staff. The National Urban League congratulates the U.S. House of Representatives, which approved a rules package creating a new Office of Diversity and Inclusion and requiring the appointment of a chief diversity officer and the development of a diversity plan.
MARC H. MORIAL TRICE EDNEY NEWS WIRE
Top priority Congressional staff diversity has long been a top priority of the National Urban League. Just last month, we joined with more than 60 other national civil and human rights organizations and stakeholders in sending a letter calling on Members of Congress to prioritize diversity in hir-
VISUAL VIEWPOINT: PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP
Education cuts Virtually everyone agrees that education is essential if we are to rebuild a broad and vibrant middle class. Yet teachers are on strike across the country because cuts in education funding have left them with crowded classrooms, supply shortages and inadequate salaries. College debts that students are forced to assume now are higher than any other form of personal debt ‒ including auto loans and credit card debt. That doesn’t make sense. We spend nearly twice per capita on health care than any other advanced industrial country and yet have worse health care results. For the first time, life expectancy is declining, something that simply does not happen to advanced countries. Despite health care reform, 20 million people still go without insurance and tens of millions more are underinsured. Taxpayers pay for a good portion of all research on prescription drugs, yet we pay the highest prices in the world for our prescription drugs. That doesn’t make sense.
What crisis? Trump demands $5.6 billion as a down payment for the wall he wants to build along the Mexican border, a wall that he promised Mexicans would pay for. He says it will stem the flow of drugs, but most of the drug trade comes through legal ports of entry. He says we have a crisis on the bor-
a blood clot that blocks an artery ‒ is three times higher in AfricanAmericans than in Whites. Interestingly, nearly half of all stroke patients suffered from transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). Think of plaques like scabs on the inside of the vessel. If you have ever lifted up a scab on your arm, if you lift too far, you can cause it to bleed again because it’s not done healing underneath. You’ve created a new injury. In the case of your arm, a new scab forms by forming a clot, which is great for helping the skin heal. Similarly, plaques on the inside of the vessel can be fragile when blood flows past, causing the plaque to lift. But in your blood vessel, when a plaque lifts up and the body tries to heal it like it would a scab on your arm, it makes a clot where that plaque lifted up which blocks blood flow and can lead to an ischemic stroke.
WOLVERTON, BATTLE GROUND, WA
der, but undocumented immigration has been declining for years. Even Republican legislators from the Texas border argue that Trump isn’t making sense. This list can go on. Dr. Martin Luther King said he couldn’t follow the old “eye-foran-eye philosophy” because “it ends up leaving everyone blind.” He told the story of driving from Atlanta with his brother at night. For some reason, the other drivers didn’t dim their high beams. Exasperated, his brother said, “I’m tired of this. The next car that comes refusing to dim its lights, I’m going to refuse to dim mine.” “Don’t do that,” said Dr. King. “Somebody has to have some sense on this highway.”
along a winding road toward freedom. There are curves and hills, potholes and perils. We are constantly tempted to retaliate against those who get in the way. We get distracted by those who would divide us, those who foster fear and hate. We are constantly in danger of losing our bearings. But we’ve got to remember Dr. King’s admonition to his supporters in Birmingham, Ala., after the 1963 Ku Klux Klan terrorist bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church that killed four innocent little girls. “Wait a minute, Birmingham,” he taught. “Somebody’s got to have some sense in Birmingham.”
Constant danger
The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. is president and CEO of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.
As a country, we are moving
But does stress cause stroke? Chronic stress has been thought to be a risk factor for stroke. In studies, acute stress has been found to be a trigger for stroke. That means that strokes occur immediately after a stressful event more often than would be expected. But what about major, deadly conditions like stroke? A University of Michigan study found that men who were more physiologically reactive to stress (as measured by high blood pressure) were 72 percent more likely to suffer a stroke. However, while stress is linked, but not firmly established as an independent risk factor for stroke, stress is linked with several firmly established risk factors for stroke such as high blood pressure, smoking, and obesity.
Recognize strokes
Too much stress in our daily lives is unhealthy. According to the American Medical Association, roughly 80 percent of doctor visits are stress-related. Stress can cause headaches, upset stomach, anxiety, difficulty sleeping and a whole lot more.
It’s important to be able to recognize the symptoms of a stroke as soon as possible. The quicker you can spot them, the sooner you’ll receive medical attention and the better your chances of recovery are. The F.A.S.T. guide is an easy way to remember the signs of a stroke and check on a possible
ing top staff. We encouraged the members to take the following steps: 1. Set clear goals. Promptly develop hiring goals to ensure diversity among those hired in new top and key mid-level staff position openings in your office. 2. Adopt a diversity plan. Develop a written office diversity and inclusion plan that includes recruitment and hiring goals, retention and development strategies for staff, data collection and analysis procedures, a clear allocation of responsibility among staff and performance evaluation for implementation of the plan, and unconscious bias training for all managerial staff involved in recruitment, hiring, evaluation, and retention. 3. Adopt the “Rooney Rule.” This would require your office to interview at least one person of
color for every top and key midlevel staff position opening. Senate Democrats adopted this rule in 2017. Data should be kept to measure the compliance and effectiveness of the rule. 4. Support efforts to improve staff diversity. These are the same recommendations we made when we hosted a panel on diversity at the U.S. Senate nearly two years ago. Soon afterward, we delivered senior-level resumes of qualified AfricanAmerican candidates to senators who represent states with a high percentage of minority residents. Our intention was to encourage senators to consider a diverse pool of candidates when hiring for positions like chief of staff, legislative director, and communications director. Newly-elected Senator Doug Jones of Alabama last January
The impact of stress
Charles W. Cherry II, Esq., Publisher
Opinions expressed on this editorial page are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of the newspaper or the publisher.
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stroke victim. • Face drooping. Typically, one side of the face will droop or become numb. Ask the person to smile. If it’s uneven, that’s a sign. • Arm weakness or numbness. A stroke will leave one arm weak or numb, making it difficult for a person to hold both arms up at the same level. See if one arm stays lower than another. • Speech difficulty or slurred speech. A stroke causes confusion and makes it hard to understand speech. Check on whether the victim can repeat a simple sentence clearly. • Time to call 9-1-1. As soon as you recognize these symptoms, call 9-1-1. Even if these symptoms are only temporary, get the sufferer proper treatment. Keep in mind the exact time the symptoms started so you can reference it later. By understanding the root causes of a stroke, you can minimize your risk of having one. Take good care of yourself and live the best life possible!
Glenn Ellis is a regular media contributor on health equity and medical ethics. For more information, visit www.glennellis.com.
appointed the first Black chief of staff in the Democratic Caucus, joining Republican Senators Tim Scott of South Carolina and Jerry Moran of Kansas. According to the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, more than 31 percent of top staffers hired so far by newly-elected House Members are people of color. As of September, fewer than 14 percent of top staff in the House were people of color. The rule change is a significant step toward a Congress that truly represents the rich diversity of the nation and an expansion of economic opportunity for all Americans.
Marc Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League.
Central Florida Communicators Group, LLC, P.O. Box 48857 Tampa, FL 33646, publishes the Daytona Times on Thursdays. Phone: 877-352-4455, toll-free. For all sales inquiries, call 877-352-4455; e-mail sales@flcourier.com. Subscriptions to the print version are $69 per year. Mail check to P.O. Box 48857 Tampa, Fl 33646, or log on to www.daytonatimes.com; click on ‘Subscribe.’
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MAYOR
JANUARY 24 – JANUARY 30,DECEMBER 2019 ENTERTAINMENT 14 - 20, 2006
Murders of hip-hop stars still unsolved Plenty of speculation, but no charges in deaths of Biggie, Tupac and Jam Master Jay BY STACY M. BROWN NNPA NEWSWIRE
Little did Tupac Shakur know, as he left a heavyweight boxing match in Las Vegas on Sept. 7, 1996, that his life was about to end. With Death Row Records CEO Marion “Suge” Knight at the wheel and Shakur in the passenger seat, gunmen pulled up and pumped several bullets into Shakur who later died at University Medical Center, Las Vegas Valley. He was 25.
Biggie next On March 8, 1997, Shakur’s socalled East Coast rival and fellow hip-hop superstar, Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace, presented an award at the Soul Train Music Awards in Los Angeles. An afterparty was reportedly shutdown at about 12:30 a.m. because of overcrowding, forcing Wallace to leave with friends, including Bad Boy Records founder Sean “Diddy” Combs. Approximately 15 minutes later, as Wallace and the others traveled down a Los Angeles street, a black Chevy Impala pulled alongside the “Hypnotize” rapper’s vehicle and fired several bullets – four of them striking Wallace — who died a short time later at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He was 24.
Mizell in 2002 On Oct. 30, 2002, Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell sat in his Jamaica, Queens, recording studio in New York listening to new music. An unknown assailant entered the building at about 7:30 Jason ‘Jam p.m. and shot and Master Jay’ killed Mizell, 37, Mizell who, along with his group RunDMC, transcended Hip-Hop and paved the way for the commercial success of all Hip-Hop acts. As 2019 begins, the senseless
Tupac Shakur was shot and killed in 1996; Christopher “Biggie’’ Wallace died the following year, murder of some of hip-hop’s biggest and most talented stars remains in the cold case files. “It’s a shame that we lost talented artists such as Tupac, Biggie and JMJ,” said hip-hop activist and artist Sean XLG Mitchell. “I believe arrests haven’t been made on any case because of the dynamics involved in terms of the criminal elements: Possibly drugs, gang ties, and the ‘no snitching’ mantra in the Black community,” Mitchell said.
TV series Last year, a cable television series titled “Unsolved” depicted the murders of Shakur and Wallace. The three-part series, which aired on USA and Netflix and connected Shakur’s murder to an alleged gang war between the Bloods and the South Side Crips, was based on an LAPD task force investigation headed by Detective Greg Kading, who was initially assigned to work on Wallace’s case. Kading, whose investigation ultimately took him to Las Vegas where he became involved in the Shakur murder probe, concluded that Orlando Anderson was Shakur’s murderer.
What was revealed According to the series and numerous reports, the now former detective claimed in the series that Anderson’s uncle, Duane “Keffe D” Davis, revealed that Anderson and two other men – DeAndre Smith and Terrence Brown – were in the car together when Shakur was shot. After Anderson was beaten up earlier that night, they went looking for Shakur at the 662 Club in Vegas. Keffe D said they found him on the strip and pulled up alongside the car, which was being driven by Suge Knight. “All the chicks was like, ‘Tupac’, and he was like, ‘hey’ like a celebrity, like he was in a parade,” Keffe D said in an interview with BET’s Death Row Chronicles. “If he wouldn’t even have been out the window, we would have never have seen him.”
No charges He would not go so far as to reveal who pulled the trigger but said it came from the backseat, narrowing it down to Anderson and Smith. Anderson, who always denied that he was the murderer, died himself just two years after Shakur. No one has ever been charged in the murder. However, “Unsolved” creator Kyle Long
has called for Keffe D’s arrest. “He went live on television and confessed to being an accessory to murder and the Las Vegas PD, as far as I know, is doing nothing about it,” Long told The Wrap last year. “And I just think it’s outrageous. I just don’t understand it. It makes me upset.”
Vulture interview Long also spoke to Vulture and said, “What has happened since we made the show, which is fascinating to me, is that Keffe D went on a documentary called the “Death Row Chronicles’’ and confessed again. “He doesn’t have immunity in that confession. He tried to get cute and says, ‘Oh, I handed the gun into the back seat, but I don’t know who pulled the trigger.’ You watch it, and it’s like, he just confessed without immunity to being an accessory to murder. They should go arrest him.” That hasn’t happened. Meanwhile, in 2017, New York City police detectives acknowledged that their investigation into the 2002 slaying of Jam Master Jay had gone cold. “It’s not resolved to the legal eye, but the street always talks,” Jeremy “JL” Lam, a friend of Jam Master Jay’s family, told the Associated Press (AP).
No fruitful leads Family members, however, reportedly were less optimistic. “We know it’s anniversary, but we don’t like to talk about it much anymore,” Jam Master Jay’s older sister, Bonita Jones, said from their mother’s home in North Carolina. A cousin, Ryan Thompson, believes the potential witnesses may never come forward because they “could go to jail as accomplices.” According to some reports, the 37-year-old Jam Master Jay hugged one of the men before gunfire erupted. One round missed him but a second, fired from point-blank range, entered the left side of his head. The men vanished. Police said there were at least four other people in the studio at the time, but none provided enough details to produce fruitful leads. Thompson said a security camera in the studio was broken. Prosecutors later identified a career criminal serving time for armed robbery as a suspect, but he denied involvement and was never charged, according to the AP.
Stacy M. Brown is a correspondent for NNPA Newswire.
“Surviving R. Kelly” and was surprised that Badu would talk about Kelly in Chicago. “I think it’s a sensitive topic for Chicagoans right now,” Gonzalez said. “Everybody’s looking at you guys in a fishbowl. “Chicago condoned the behavior for so long, or supported him knowingly, and so after this documentary came out it really kind of put the looking glass on Chicago for all outsiders,” Gonzalez said. On Sunday, Badu appeared to clarify her comments on Twitter: “I love you. Unconditionally. That doesn’t mean I support your poor choices. I want healing for you and anyone you have hurt as a result of you being hurt. Is that strange to you? That’s all I’ve ever said. Anything else has been fabricated or taken out of context.”
Eviction lawsuit
GENARO MOLINA/LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS
Erykah Badu performs at the Demon Dayz LA music festival at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena on Oct. 20, 2018 in Pico Rivera, Calif.
Boos for Badu at Chicago concert after R. Kelly comments BY MORGAN GREENE CHICAGO TRIBUNE/TNS
CHICAGO – Singer-songwriter Erykah Badu was booed by a Chicago crowd after bringing up R. Kelly at a night concert in his hometown, according to fans in attendance. A few songs into her show on Jan. 19 at the Aragon Ballroom, Badu took a break from her set to
talk about Kelly, who continues to face fallout from “Surviving R. Kelly,” the Lifetime documentary series that spotlighted decades of abuse allegations against the singer. Venessa Gonzalez, 35, said she flew into Chicago from Los Angeles for the concert to celebrate a friend’s birthday. “She starts off the concert, and everything’s going great,” Gonza-
lez said. “Midshow, she decided to bring up R. Kelly and how Chicago feels about R. Kelly and everybody started booing.” “I’m putting up a prayer right now for R.,” Badu said, according to videos posted on social media.
‘Strange moment’ The singer redirected the audience from criticizing Kelly, say-
ing, “That’s not love.” Gonzalez said it was a “strange” moment. “It almost felt like a quick interlude but not really,” Gonzalez said. “There wasn’t even music playing in the background.” Badu then wondered aloud if one of Kelly’s alleged victims would also be crucified if she grew up to be an offender. “It’s just something to think about,” Badu said. “The crowd, we were all just kind of looking at each other like, is this happening right now?” Gonzalez said.
Sensitive subject Gonzalez said she watched
Badu’s comments followed reports that Sony Music dropped Kelly, and an accuser’s appearance on a “Dateline NBC” special. In Chicago, building inspectors found evidence that Kelly’s Near West Side studio was used as a residence even though it was not zoned for that purpose. As part of a separate eviction lawsuit, Kelly has until early next week to pay nearly $175,000 in back rent and other costs to avoid being evicted. Kelly is reportedly under criminal investigation in Georgia, and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has asked alleged victims to come forward. Chicago’s Cook County prosecutors indicted Kelly on child pornography charges alleging that he took a video of himself having sex with a girl estimated to be as young as 13, but a jury acquitted him of all charges in 2008. Badu, who has collaborated with Kelly and introduced him at the 2015 Soul Train Awards as having done more for Black people than anyone, reportedly declined to be interviewed for the Lifetime documentary.
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dies of 1 in 3 women and stroke. heart disease n’s disease. a m a st ju t o It’s n ent it. You can prev
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7
M SPORTS AYOR
JANUARY 24 – JANUARY 2019 DECEMBER 14 - 20,30, 2006
rificed his career, so people of color could live in peace, without the threat of state sanctioned murder. When the NFL or any corporation punishes a man for standing against police brutality then that means the league and that company or corporation is in favor and a supporter of police brutality!
‘Aid to the NFL’ The letter also stated: “The reality is this isn’t about you singing at the Super Bowl. It’s about you giving cover comfort and aid to the NFL who as a corporation have ignored all the unjust police murders of black people, racial profiling, police abuse, and the violation of our civil rights that Kaepernick put into the national spotlight. This is about Anthony A.J. Weber, Ezell Ford, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin and other unarmed black people who were gunned down by police (and a wanna-be cop). This is about Freddy Grey & corrupt police planting evidence on black people. This is about Oscar Grant & Fruitvale Station. This is about Laquan McDonald who was killed while unarmed by several white police officers in Chicago with only one cop being convicted and sentenced to a slap on the wrist with just six years in prison for killing him.
‘No respect’ STEFANIE KEENAN/GETTY IMAGES FOR MICHAEL KORS/TNS
Gladys Knight issued a statement after she was blasted for accepting the Super Bowl gig.
Knight faces criticism for agreeing to sing at Super Bowl FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
Legendary singer Gladys Knight will sing the national anthem at this year’s Super Bowl, which is Feb. 3 in Atlanta, her hometown.
Knight has being criticized for supporters of quarterback Colin Kaepernick who they feel has been blackballed from the NFL because of his sideline protests against police abuse of African Americans by “taking a knee.”
In response, Knight has issued this statement: “I understand that Mr. Kaepernick is protesting two things, and they are police violence and injustice,” she wrote. “It is unfortunate that our National Anthem has been dragged into this debate when the distinctive senses of the National Anthem and fighting for justice should each stand alone.” Social media has criticized Knight for the performance. Among those upset is Najee Ali, director of Project Islamic HOPE. Ali wrote an open letter to Knight that stated that calls on the Grammy Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer to Sister Gladys, you issued a statement that in part states:
‘Stop buck dancing’ “Sister Gladys, the fact that you admit to being a long-time civil
rights activist doesn’t make you exempt for being called out if you start cooning and selling your people out in your old age. “Your life experiences in the movement should make you know better. NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown another long-time champion of civil rights was also held accountable by our people when he began meeting with Donald Trump and stating his support for the president whose policies have been a disaster for low income and middle class African-Americans. “No one is above reproach or exemption because of being elderly and past contributions in the civil rights movements. We called for Brown to stop buck dancing and cooning for white people and now were calling for you to stop it.’’ She later stated: “Kaepernick put millions on the line and sac-
“Those that choose to continue to support the NFL boycott will be on the right side of history. Those that choose to support the NFL (Negros For Lease) have chosen to support the NFL plantation and clearly love a game more than they love their own people. Where would the Montgomery bus boycott have been if black people did this back then? They walked miles to work for over a year. Yet here we are today benefiting from their sacrifice but unwilling to stick together on such an issue for one night. She concluded: “I have no respect for anyone performing in the Super Bowl. Sistah Gladys, based on your civil rights laurels you boasted about, your betrayal of the movement and your own people are shocking. Just say you want the check and stop pretending you’re doing this for us.’’
A report from EURWEB.com was used in compiling this article.
Poor officiating has become the norm in the NFL BY MIKE PRESTON BALTIMORE SUN/TNS
There is some sympathy for New Orleans coach Sean Payton over an officiating gaffe in the NFC championship game Sunday that cost the Saints a chance to win the Super Bowl. But there won’t be much. Those days are over, because officiating in the NFL has been poor for a long time and will remain that way until some changes are made. So, when I watch an NFL game, I expect the outcome to be determined by about 10 plays made by the players, four or five failed or successful coaching strategies and three to four questionable calls made by the officials. It’s just another Sunday in the NFL.
Both games marred Some fans have a different perspective, especially when it comes to the officials, because of their investment in their favorite teams, but Sunday’s NFL conference championship games fit my script. They were exciting, competitive and featured some of the league’s best coaches. There were two eventual Hall of Fame quarterbacks competing in the Saints’ Drew Brees and the New England Patriots’ Tom Brady and two bright, young signal-callers in the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and the Los Angeles Rams’ Jared Goff. But both games were marred by poor officiating, especially the non-calls on the pass interference and helmet-to-helmet contact late in regulation that likely would have sealed a victory for New Orleans over the Rams.
A critical play By now, you’ve seen the replay in which Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman hit Saints receiver Tommylee Lewis on a pass in the right flat deep in Rams ter-
COMMENTARY
Hill, so why not use Hill on some jet sweeps or screens? Maybe an end-around? How about using him in motion, which would allow him to get off the line of scrimmage cleanly?
ritory. Robey-Coleman never looked for the ball and ran over Lewis, which should have resulted in a pass-interference penalty and/or helmet-to-helmet violation. Neither infraction was called. Later, according to Payton, league officials told him that the officials missed the call. I guess that is supposed to make Payton feel better. But it didn’t. Bet it didn’t help Kansas City coach Andy Reid sleep any better, either, after watching the officials call a phantom roughingthe-quarterback penalty on defensive linemen Chris Jones late in the game, which helped keep a New England drive alive and eventually led to a touchdown. The officials just keep getting these calls wrong with or without instant replay.
Risky moves On defense, the Chiefs tried to get pressure on Brady with their front four, and when that didn’t work, they stayed with it. Yes, they stayed with it, even on thirdand-long situations late in the game. The Chiefs-Patriots game reminded me of what I have seen so often in the last decade in the AFC. New England coach Bill Belichick was outcoaching another peer. He got pressure on Mahomes up the middle and moved him off his spot. He moved tight end Rob Gronkowski outside as a receiver and the Chiefs couldn’t stop him. He kept slot receiver Julian Edelman in motion, which allowed him to roam freely and dominate the middle of the field.
Changes needed Poor officiating has been around as long as the games themselves, but in today’s game, every call is magnified and overanalyzed because of instant replay, camera angles and jumbotrons in stadiums. The NFL does a good job of screening and training officials, and the average salary of an NFL official will rise to $200,000 in the 2019 season. They used to be part-time employees — dentists, doctors, farmers, lawyers and so on — before the league finally started hiring some full-timers in 2017. The assumption here is that they are men of integrity. But the league can do some things to help them out. Coaches should be allowed to challenge any penalty, not just certain ones. And if they don’t agree to that, at least allow coaches to challenge pass-interference violations because those calls are having the biggest impact on the outcomes of games. That’s because
WALLY SKALIJ/LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS
Los Angeles Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman defends New Orleans Saints receiver Tommylee Lewis in the NFC Championship game on Sunday at the Superdome in New Orleans, La. No penalty was called. the interpretation of the rule has varied from game to game, stadium to stadium and officiating crew to officiating crew. There is no objectivity, just subjectivity. As Payton stood at the podium Sunday, any former player or coach would sympathize with him. One year of hard work and the main goal of an entire organization were wiped away in virtually 30 seconds.
Other scenarios Yet at the same time, one play never decides the outcome of a game. As Payton pointed fingers at the officials, he needed to
point them at himself for failing to run the ball and use up clock before the pass to Lewis. Or he might need to go over his red-zone offense. Against teams such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers, it’s OK to pull Brees for versatile performer Taysom Hill in certain situations, but not in the playoffs. The ball needed to be in the hands of Brees, the team’s best player, as much as possible. Reid had a similar situation with receiver Tyreek Hill, who had one catch for 42 yards and was targeted only three times. Reid should have known the Patriots were going to double-team
Still entertaining These were entertaining games. The teams were resilient as both games went to overtime, the first time that’s happened in NFL postseason history. The Saints were robbed by the officials, but the Rams also earned that right to play in the Super Bowl because of their toughness and Goff, who made some outstanding throws in the middle of the field late in the game. Maybe there will be some officials who will get fired. Maybe the league will soften its stance on which violations can be challenged. But overall, Sunday’s games were no different than the other poorly officiated contests I’ve seen in recent years. The championship games were just another Sunday in the NFL.
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7HEALTH
JANUARY 24 – JANUARY 30, 2019
Study sets record straight on food allergies list of reactions they said are indicative of an allergic reaction, which included hives, throat tightening, wheezing and vomiting. It did not include symptoms, such as nausea or general gastrointestinal malaise as those usually suggest food intolerance. After analyzing the results, they found “while one in 10 adults have food allergy, nearly twice as many adults think that they are allergic to foods,” lead author Ruchi Gupta said in a statement. “It is important to see a physician for appropriate testing and diagnosis before completely eliminating foods from the diet,” she continued. “If food allergy is confirmed, understanding the management is also critical, including recognizing symptoms of anaphylaxis and how and when to use epinephrine.”
Adult onset
DREAMSTIME/TNS
The most common food allergies are peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish and milk. BY NAJJA PARKER ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION/TNS
If you think you have a food allergy, you might be incorrect, according to a new report. Researchers from Ann & Rob-
To reduce stress, try more hugs FAMILY FEATURES
Whether circumstances are good or bad, exciting or stressful, there are several simple ways to improve emotional and mental fitness. As one example, sharing a hug with a loved one has been found to boost immune system responses, help fight disease and increase overall health, according to an article published by The Guardian. Hugs increase serotonin, which is the body’s natural antidepressant, can be a natural sleep aid and help reduce stress and anxiety. However, according to the article, hugs are on the decline. Among the reasons for this decline in hugging are busy schedules and the prevalence of technology extending the workday into time spent at home. It can be hard to focus on personal connections when work follows you home in your pocket. At
ert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Northwestern University recently conducted a study, published in JAMA Network Open, to determine the prevalence and severity of food allergies among adults in the
United States. To do so, they surveyed more than 40,000 Americans between 2015 and 2016. The subjects had to answer questions about whether they believed they had food allergies and the reactions
they experienced when they ate foods they believed contained allergens.
See a doctor The analysts then produced a
The analysts also said just half of the participants with a “convincing” food allergy had been diagnosed by a doctor and less than 25 percent reported currently having epinepherine or an EpiPen prescription. Furthermore, they discovered nearly half of food-allergic adults developed one of their food allergies as an adult. “We were surprised to find that adult-onset food allergies were so common,” Gupta said. “More research is needed to understand why this is occurring and how we might prevent it.” They determined the most common food allergies were shellfish, milk, peanuts and tree nuts.
times, it seems there are stronger connections to mobile devices than family members sitting in the same room.
Hugging tips In the spirit of reducing stress and giving meaningful, memorable hugs, consider these tips: Keep it real. Avoid superficial hugs or giving a hug just out of habit. Instead, try focusing on the hug and giving it with purpose, as an expression of friendship. Squeeze hard, but not too hard. Take a breath. Once you are in the hug, pause for a moment and breathe. Just one breath. This is where you have the chance to squeeze a little longer. Go ahead and be a little vulnerable. In the moment, remember who you are hugging and why you are hugging him or her. This is a moment when the healing power of the hug can shine through, and a hug or squeeze is a sign of affection and trust. Let it go. Be sensitive to the movements of the person you are hugging and be willing to be the first to let go. Leave the embrace with a smile on your face, even in the hardest moments of life. Always let the person you are letting go of know you are happy. Visit treetop.com for more information.
PHOTO COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES
Hugs increase serotonin, which is the body’s natural antidepressant.
More people join ‘Veganuary’ movement to try animal-free diet that there’s all the concern about, ‘Hey, what’s the climate doing? And are we going to be able to live on this planet?’”
BY NARA SCHOENBERG CHICAGO TRIBUNE/TNS
CHICAGO — She misses pizza and hamburgers, and she longs for eggs. Grocery store runs that would have taken an hour now take two, due to factors such as the need to scan labels for hidden ingredients. But a week without meat or animal products has already yielded rewards, she says, from less puffiness under her eyes to what feels like a bit more speed in her morning run. “I’ve always had a lot of energy, but it’s a different energy,” said Penny Shack, 37, of Lincoln Park. “My sleep is so much better. And so far, I don’t feel hungry or miserable.”
Worldwide challenge Shack is one of tens of thousands of Americans who have signed up with the British charity Veganuary this year, agreeing to try a vegan diet free of all animal products. Participants are free to just try going vegan for a meal or two, but some — including Shack — are attempting a full January of veganism without even honey (yes, it’s an animal product.) Worldwide, 226,000 people
Tinkering with diet
ERIN HOOLEY/CHICAGO TRIBUNE/TNS
Penny Shack cooks a vegan vegetable and tofu stir fry for lunch on Jan. 8 at her home in Chicago have signed up for Veganuary (Vee-GAN-uary) this year, up from 168,000 in 2018, according to a Veganuary spokeswoman, who said the charity does not yet have a figure for U.S. signups in 2019 but the number is up from last year.
Why do it? Health, animal welfare and environmental concerns are the biggest reasons Americans go
vegan, according to Veganuary U.S. trustee Seth Tibbott. “If you were to rank them, you’d probably go health first: ‘What’s it going to do for me? Is it a healthy diet?’ And then you’d go into animal welfare, and then you’d go environmental,” said Tibbott, the founder and chairman of the Tofurky Co., which makes vegan meat substitutes. “That said, the environmental reasons are taking a bigger and bigger piece of the pie, now
Veganuary, a high-profile campaign in Britain, provides information for newcomers, including recipes, tips for eating out and nutritional information. Vegan eating is different from the popular meat-free diet the Daniel Fast, which allows fewer foods and has a religious component. Shack, a sales representative for a nutritional company, said she frequently tinkers with her diet and actually went raw vegan — or vegan without cooked foods — for about two years, starting around 2009. But that experiment didn’t go well; she gained 40 pounds and developed a thyroid problem from which she has since recovered. She was moved to try Veganuary this year in part because her 2018 diet, heavy in fruits and vegetables with some meat and dairy, was already fairly close to vegan, and in part because she wanted to take her healthy eating to the next level. “I think a majority of people, come January, they just want a reset. They want some sort of cleanse or detox,” she said. “I figured let’s take it up a notch.”
Uneasy moments She’s had cravings and feelings of missing out, she said. Vegan cooking, shopping and meal planning (including finding recipes) take an extra 30 minutes a day, and while her husband is supportive, he’s still eating meat, as is her 2-year-old son, so she has to take their diets into consideration as well. There have been uneasy moments, such as when she was cutting up chicken for her son and, without thinking, almost put a piece in her own mouth. “It’s harder than I thought it would be,” she said of going vegan.
Meatless commitment But she’s excited about the challenge and about new recipes for curried lentils, and vegan lasagna soup with vegan ricotta and a tomato-based broth. Asked if she’s going to continue as a vegan in February, she said she can see making a reservation at a steakhouse Feb. 1. On the other hand, she’s curious about the benefits of four weeks without animal products. “Am I honestly going to feel so amazing that I’m not going to want to back?” she said. “I don’t know.”